Hope College Men's Football

Over nine playing seasons, head coach Peter Stuursma '93 has guided the Hope College football team to a 74-20 overall record (.787) and a 49-9 mark in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play (.845). The Flying Dutchmen have won three MIAA titles — outright championshps in 2024 and 2019 and a co-championship in 2021 — while finishing runner-up four times during his tenure. In 2025, Stuursma led Hope to the third season with at least nine wins during his tenure and back-to-back NCAA Division III playoff appearances for the first time in program history. It was the Flying Dutchmen's seventh postseason appearance. In 2024, Hope posted the first 10-0 regular season in program history. The Flying Dutchmen claimed an outright MIAA title and clinched their sixth playoff appearance. Hope receiving a first-round bye and defeated Aurora University (Illinois), 49-21, at Ray and Sue Stadium in the second round for the program's first playoff victory. The Flying Dutchmen lost in the third round at eventual national champion North Central College (Illinois), 41-21, in the third round. In 2019, Hope recorded the second nine-win season in team history in 2019 when the Flying Dutchmen made their fifth NCAA Division III playoff appearance. Stuursma has deep ties to Hope College and the Flying Dutchmen football program. As a student-athlete, Stuursma served as co-captain for the Hope College football team during his senior season and played for the legendary Ray Smith. He was a running back and special teams player. Stuursma received the team’s Allan C. Kinney award after the 1992 season despite playing in only three games due to an injury. The award, presented annually since 1971 and named in memory of football player Allan C. Kinney, who died of cancer in his senior year in 1967, honors a senior player for maximum contribution to the football program. As a coach, Stuursma served as the Flying Dutchmen’s defensive coordinator during the 1999 season before becoming a teacher and head football coach at East Grand Rapids. Hope claimed a share of the MIAA title in the 1999 season with a 5-1 league record while allowing only 18.1 points per game and scoring 32.6. Stuursma also was Hope’s recruiting coordinator that football season as well as an assistant track coach for the 1999-2000 year. At East Grand Rapids High School, the Pioneers flourished on the field under Stuursma’s guidance. His teams went 162-34 with 13 state playoff appearances during his 16-season tenure. They claimed Michigan High School Athletic Association state titles in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, and 2002. They also reached the state semifinals twice. Stuursma was named Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Year in 2008 and High School Football Coaches Association Division 3 Football Coach of the Year in 2010, 2009 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2002. He was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in March of 2020. Stuursma also served as principal at East Grand Rapids Middle School from 2005 to 2016. He was assistant principal at East Grand Rapids High School from 2002 to 2004. He taught social studies and physical education for three years prior to becoming an administrator. Stuursma graduated from Hope College in 1993, completing the secondary teacher education program, majoring in physical education and minoring in social studies. He earned a master’s degree in physical education / sports administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1998. In 1997, Stuursma worked as a graduate assistant on the NCAA Division II National Champion Northern Colorado football team. Prior to his stop at Northern Colorado, Stuursma taught and coached at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central High School for three years. He was head coach of the Rangers hockey team and assistant coach for the football team. Stuursma and his wife, Amy, also a ’93 Hope graduate, have three children: Hannah '22, Robbie '24, and Mitchell.   Head Coach Overall MIAA Season W L T Win PCT. W L T Win PCT. 2024 9 2 0 .818 6 1 0 0.857 2024 11 1 0 .917 7 0 0 1.000 2023 8 2 0 .800 5 1 0 .833 2022 6 4 0 .600 3 3 0 .500 2021 8 2 0 .800 5 1 0 .833 2020 Season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic 2019 9 2 0 .818 7 0 0 1.000 2018 8 2 0 .800 6 1 0 .657 2017 8 2 0 .800 5 1 0 .833 2016 7 3 0 .700 5 1 0 .833 Total 74 20 0 .787 49 9 0 .845

Ted Manning joined the Hope College Football coaching staff as a defensive line coach in July 2020. Manning has been involved with football throughout his professional career, coaching a total of 43 high school seasons at six schools. He was an assistant coach at Schoolcraft High School for 35 seasons from 1986 to 2007. He was part of three Michigan High School Athletic Association state championships and two MHSAA state runner-ups as defensive coordinator. He also coached at Delton-Kellogg, Wayland, Comstock, Caledonia and Wyoming. In 2003, Manning was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Manning served as Schoolcraft’s athletic director for 27 years from 1986 to 2013. He also taught at Schoolcraft. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1977 with a degree in physical education. He earned his master's degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University in 1985. Manning and his wife, Kristie, have three children — Emily, Jake ‘09 and Alison ‘13 — and 11 grandchildren. Jake Manning played on Hope’s MIAA championship football teams in 2006 and 2007.

Alex Smith was introduced as Hope College’s defensive coordinator on Feb. 12, 2026. The native of Portland, Oregon, played defensive end and linebacker at Central Michigan University between the 2009 and 2013 seasons and was a four-year letterwinner for the Chippewas after being recruited out of Barrington High School in Chicago. Smith holds a Master's of Education degree from the University of Texas at Arlington (2025) and a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Central Michigan (2013). After graduating from CMU, Smith went into coaching and has spent the last 11 seasons coaching at the high school level in Michigan, primarily as a defensive coordinator, elevating his defenses’ play wherever he has coached. Most recently, Smith served as defensive coordinator at East Kentwood High School for two seasons. Last fall, East Kentwood reached the state semifinals for the third time in program history at the Division 1 level. The Falcons, who finished with a 10-3 record and doubled their win total from the previous season, recorded 21 takeaways — 16 more than Smith’s first season. From 2022-23, Smith coached at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer as defensive coordinator. The Rockets launched their best scoring defense since joining the OK Conference in 2003 during his tenure. In 2021, Smith guided Holton High School to the state playoffs for the sixth time in program history as head coach.  Smith also served as the defensive coordinator at Grand Rapids Christian (2020), Spring Lake (2018-19), and Shepherd (2015-18). Spring Lake and Shepherd both allowed at least 10 fewer points in Smith’s first season calling defenses. In 2014, Smith coached as a graduate assistant at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, working with defensive ends. Current Denver Broncos pass rush specialist Brandon Jordan mentored Smith.  

Hunter Thompson joined Hope College Football as the offensive line coach prior to the 2021 fall season. In February 2022, he moved into a full-time position that included a role as recruiting coordinator. Thompson came to the Flying Dutchmen after spending three seasons as the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator at Jenison High School. He helped the Wildcats make the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs in the spring of 2021 and the fall of 2019. Thompson spent the 2017 season as a graduate assistant coach at Ferris State University, his alma mater. He coached the offensive line. The Bulldogs finished the season 11-2 and reached the NCAA Division II Super 3 Regional championship game. A native of McBain, Michigan, Thompson played on the offensive line for Ferris State for five seasons from 2012-2016. The Bulldogs posted a 49-12 record, made the Division II playoffs three times, and won two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles during his time as a student-athlete. In 2016, Ferris State advanced to the national semifinals. Thompson graduated from Ferris State in 2017 with a degree in mathematics education. He minored in physical education at Ferris. Thompson taught junior high mathematics at Jenison through the 2021-22 school year.

Jacob Pardonnet '18 joined the Hope College Football coaching staff in April 2022. He followed James Ross III, who stepped down to accept an opportunity to coach linebackers at the University of Cincinnati, a Bowl Championship Series semi finalist last season, from Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell. Prior to coming to Hope, Pardonnet spent the past three seasons on the coaching staff at NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. At Bryant, Pardonnet worked with the strong safeties during the 2021 season when the Bulldogs went 7-4 overall and recorded their highest win total in seven years.  Bryant’s winning percentage improved in each of his three seasons, going 4-8 during the 2019 season, 2-2 during a pandemic-shortened 2021 spring season, and 7-4.  In 2018, Pardonnet worked as a student assistant coach at Hope, working with defensive backs and safeties. Hope posted an 8-2 record. As a student-athlete, Pardonnet played four seasons for the Flying Dutchmen (2014-17) and earned All-MIAA Football Second Team honors as a senior and a junior. A three-year starter, Pardonnet graduated from Hope with a degree in economics and business management. He made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll three times. Pardonnet helped the Flying Dutchmen engineer the greatest single-season turnaround in team history in 2016. Hope finished with a 7-3 record after going 2-8 in 2015. In 2017, the Flying Dutch went 8-2.  In 55 career games, Pardonnet totaled 189 tackles, 7 ½ sacks, and 21 tackles for loss.

Jinks Arnold joined the Hope College football coaching staff for the 2023 season. He coaches defensive backs backs and serves as special teams coordinator. During the 2023 season, Arnold also coached safeties. Head coach Peter Stuursma said the Flying Dutchmen are excited to add Jinks Arnold to the Hope College Football family. “Jinks is a high-energy person who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the defensive side of the ball and special teams,” Stuursma said. “Jinks is a rising star in this profession.” A native of Romeoville, Illinois, Arnold has coaching experience at the college and high school levels. Arnold spent the past two seasons at Comstock Park High School, near Grand Rapids. Arnold was the defensive coordinator for the Panthers during the 2022 season. Prior to Comstock Park, Arnold was the head football coach at Benton Harbor High School and coached at Ferris State University under head coach Tony Annese. The Bulldogs made three consecutive postseason appearances during his time there, including the program’s first trip to the NCAA Division II semifinals in 2019 and the program’s first trip to the Division II quarterfinals in 2018. Arnold coached at South Elgin High School in Illinois before coaching at Ferris State. As a student-athlete, Arnold began his college playing career at Grand Rapids Community College under Tony Annese. He later played at Division II Southwest Baptist before completing his college career at Division III Rockford University (Ill.). Arnold prepped at Plainfield North High School in Plainfield, Illinois.  

Matt Bird joined the Hope College Football coaching staff prior to the 2022 season as wide receivers coach. Bird brings a winning pedigree to the Flying Dutchmen after serving as head coach at two high schools for 16 seasons and winning 88 games. Bird coached at Grand Ledge for 13 seasons and guided the Comets to a Michigan High School Athletic Association state semifinal appearance in 2015. He spent the past three seasons at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. He coached nine all-state receivers and six all-state quarterbacks. Bird holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in history/political science. Bird and his wife, Jamie, have three adult children: daughter Brianna, son Nolan, and daughter Delaney.  

Dave Lidgard '83 joined the Hope College football coaching staff for the 2020 season. He coaches H-Backs and tight enedds. From 2020 through 2023, Lidgard coached the running backs.   Lidgard previously coached at the high school level for 33 years in the Grand Rapids area. He was the head football coach at Hudsonville High School for eight years.  He also served as an assistant coach at Hudsonville for 23 years and at Grand Rapids Christian High School for 2 years. He was an assistant baseball coach at Hudsonville High School for 25 years as well.   Lidgard graduated from Hope College in 1985, receiving his B.A. in education. He received his M.A. from Western Michigan University in 1995.   Lidgard played football at Hope College under head coach Ray Smith.   Lidgard and his wife, Deb, live in Hudsonville.  They have three children, Sarah '13, Brad, Kate, and two grandsons.

KJ Landis joined the Hope College football coaching staff prior to the 2024 season as a safeties coach. Landis previously served as defensive coordinator at Grandville High School the past four seasons.  The Bulldogs went 29-12 with four home Michigan High School Athletic Association Division I playoff wins during his tenure. The 2021 Grandville team recorded the third-highest point differential in school history. The 2020 Bulldogs had the fourth-highest point differential. Landis served co-defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator at Grand Rapids West Catholic for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. West Catholic claimed an MHSAA Division 5 state title in 2017 while yielding only 13.8 points per game. A 2008 Grandville High School graduate, Landis coached at Wyoming High School for four seasons He was defensive coordinator in 2016 and the junior varsity/freshmen coordinator from 2013 through 2015. In 2016, Wyoming recorded its most wins and fewest points per game allowed in school history. Landis-coached teams have posted a 51-23 combined record during his high school career. Landis and his wife, Ashton, live in Jenison with their three children, Trey, Natalie and Cameron.  

Andrew Hawken has served as the offensive coordinator for the Hope College football team since the 2017 season. He also coaches the quarterbacks. in 2024, Hawken was named one of four finalists for the FootballScoop's NCAA Division III Coordinator of the Year award. From 2017 through 2023, Hawken also coached the H-Backs and tight ends. Prior to arriving at Hope, Hawken had spent the two years as a graduate assistant with the Michigan State football program under head coach Mark Dantonio. At MSU, Hawken worked with co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner coaching running backs and fullbacks. The Spartans claimed Big Ten division and conference titles in 2015. They played in the national semifinals at the Cotton Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff. Hawken also led the defensive scout team and assisted the kickoff return unit. Hawken served as linebackers coach and strength & conditioning coach at Wartburg, Iowa for two seasons as well. Wartburg claimed Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and made the NCAA Division III playoffs both seasons — reaching the second round in 2013 and the quarterfinals in 2014. In 2012, Hawken was linebackers coach at Augustana College (Illinois), coaching College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Year Erik Westerberg. Hawken also coached two seasons at the high school level: varsity running backs at Grandville High School in 2011 and freshman linebackers at Jenison in 2010. As a player, Hawken appeared in the 2010 Alamo Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl and 2007 Champs Sports Bowl with the Spartans. He earned a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management and a master's degree in kinesiology, both at Michigan State. Hawken is one of 24 players in Michigan State history to earn Academic All-Big Ten honors four times. He also claimed a College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District selection on three occasions.