Cal Poly Humboldt Men's Football

Tripp, who served on Smiths staff at WWU from 1993-2005, was selected following a nationwide search to fill the position.  Tripp's influence on the Humboldt State offense has been both remarkable and consistent. Under his direction, the 2012 Lumberjacks claimed two top offensive honors running back Nick Ricciardulli voted Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and tackle Brett Frydendall awarded GNAC Offensive Lineman of the Year honors. A total of members of the Jacks' offense earned all-league selection. In 2011, Tripp's offense dominated the Great Northwest Athletic Conference statistics, helping HSU claim the GNAC title. Running back Lyndon Rowells set nine GNAC records and tied two others, claiming the top spot in three major conference statistical categories rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards. Rowells went on to further his career and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Mike Proulx also claimed three statistical titles passing yards, passing efficiency, and total offense. Tripp's offense didn't give up a single sack in five consecutive games, the only team in Div. II, as well as Div. I FBS and FCS, to do so. A total of 10 Lumberjacks were named to the All-GNAC teams, led by GNAC's Offensive Player of the Year, Mike Proulx.    During 2007, Tripp served as athletic director at Meridian High School in Bellingham, Wash. Before taking the offensive coordinator role at WWU, Tripp worked for 12 years as an assistant coach in a variety roles while also serving as head strength coach for the Vikings.   During his tenure at WWU, Tripp helped Smith guide the Vikings to the NAIA Division II National Championship game in 1996. He has experience in recruiting and game plan preparation, and coached three All-American wide receivers during his stint with the Vikings.   Coach Tripp has high personal and professional standards, Smith said. He helps players improve tremendously. He has have many unique qualities, and has a great football mind.   A 1989 graduate of Western Washington with a B.A. in Physical Education and teaching certificate, Tripp and his wife, Erin, have two daughters, Chloe and Rayn. Humboldt County, North Bay, East Bay and Washington. Former Western Washington University offensive coordinator Eric Tripp joined the Humboldt State football staff in that same capacity in March 2008, reuniting with HSU head coach, and former Vikings' head coach, Rob Smith. Tripp, who served on Smiths staff at WWU from 1993-2005, was selected following a nationwide search to fill the position.  Tripp's influence on the Humboldt State offense has been both remarkable and consistent. Under his direction, the 2012 Lumberjacks claimed two top offensive honors running back Nick Ricciardulli voted Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and tackle Brett Frydendall awarded GNAC Offensive Lineman of the Year honors. A total of members of the Jacks' offense earned all-league selection. In 2011, Tripp's offense dominated the Great Northwest Athletic Conference statistics, helping HSU claim the GNAC title. Running back Lyndon Rowells set nine GNAC records and tied two others, claiming the top spot in three major conference statistical categories rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards. Rowells went on to further his career and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Mike Proulx also claimed three statistical titles passing yards, passing efficiency, and total offense. Tripp's offense didn't give up a single sack in five consecutive games, the only team in Div. II, as well as Div. I FBS and FCS, to do so. A total of 10 Lumberjacks were named to the All-GNAC teams, led by GNAC's Offensive Player of the Year, Mike Proulx.    During 2007, Tripp served as athletic director at Meridian High School in Bellingham, Wash. Before taking the offensive coordinator role at WWU, Tripp worked for 12 years as an assistant coach in a variety roles while also serving as head strength coach for the Vikings.   During his tenure at WWU, Tripp helped Smith guide the Vikings to the NAIA Division II National Championship game in 1996. He has experience in recruiting and game plan preparation, and coached three All-American wide receivers during his stint with the Vikings.   Coach Tripp has high personal and professional standards, Smith said. He helps players improve tremendously. He has have many unique qualities, and has a great football mind.   A 1989 graduate of Western Washington with a B.A. in Physical Education and teaching certificate, Tripp and his wife, Erin, have two daughters, Chloe and Rayn.

Smith is one of the Great Northwest Athletic Conferences most decorated coaches. In his eighth season as the leader of the Humboldt State football program, he captured conference Coach of the Year honors for the second straight season and was named an American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year. Smith led the Green and Gold to their first NCAA playoff berth since 1968, and the Jacks captured their first postseason win since 1960.   After orchestrating an eight-win improvement a year ago, Smiths Jacks made noise at the national level in 2015. He led the program, which was nationally ranked for a majority of the season, to a 10-win season, a GNAC championship and a trip to the playoffs. HSU hosted and defeated Augustana in the first round of the NCAA postseason.   He coached one of the nations most exciting offensive units, which included sophomore running back JaQuan Gardner, a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, AFCA All-American and the nations leading rusher. The Jacks averaged 41.4 points per game and scored 50 or more points in five games during the 2015 season.   Eighteen HSU football players collected All-GNAC honors and the honorees included the Offensive Player of the Year (JaQuan Gardner), Offensive Lineman of the Year (Alex Cappa), Defensive Lineman of the Year (Dillon Huffman) and Newcomer of the Year (Chris Hannible).   Smith began the 2015 campaign after leading his teams historic turnaround a season earlier. He helped guide the Jacks to a GNAC record eight-win improvement following a 0-11 mark in 2014. A conference-leading eight HSU players earned All-GNAC First Team honors and freshmen Alex Cappa and Robert Webber received prestigious individual awards. Cappa, a unanimous All-GNAC First Team selection, was tabbed the conferences Offensive Lineman of the Year, and Webber was selected as the GNAC co-Freshman of the Year in his first season as the team's starting quarterback.   Since Smiths arrival, HSU has seen unprecedented success and national acclaim. He guided the Jacks to a 9-1 record en route to their first GNAC Championship in 2011 and led the Green and Gold to a 24-4 mark from 2010-12. The program had not seen a winning season since 2006 when Smith arrived, and he began to transform the team into a title contender immediately after taking the helm.   In his first season the Jacks went 2-9 overall, the record improved by three wins in year two (5-5) and three more in year three (8-3). Smiths Jacks dominated the opposition in 2011 and captured a GNAC title, had a solid year in 2012 (7-4), and devastating injuries kept HSU winless in 2013 (0-11).   Few NCAA Division II coaches have resumes that match Smiths. Entering the 2015 season, Smith is a three-time recipient of the GNAC Coach of the Year award at HSU (2014, 2011 and 2010) and earned the honor on seven occasions at Western Washington University (1989, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003). Smith was inducted into the WWU Hall of Fame upon the completion of the 2007 football season.   Smiths extensive Division II head coaching experience also carries into the classroom. His record of student-athlete success in all facets is noticeable on and off the field. In 2010-11, HSU won the GNAC Academic award for highest team GPA. Seven Jacks were named to the GNAC Football All-Academic Team in 2015.   Prior to HSU, Smith served as director of athletics at Grays Harbor Community College (Aberdeen, Wash.) after stepping away from the head coach position at WWU after the 2005 season. During his 17-year career as the Vikings head coach, Smiths teams posted a cumulative record of 109-62-1 for a .640 winning percentage. His win total and winning percentage are the best in school history, and a total of 48 athletes earned All-America recognition during his tenure.   Smith guided the Vikings to five national playoff appearances, including a trip to the NAIA Division II National Championship game in 1996. Smith directed WWU to the schools first national playoff appearance in 1992 and its first postseason trip as a NCAA Division II member in 1999. The Vikings won six league titles under Smith, nearly half the schools total of 13.   Smith attended the University of Washington, where he earned a bachelors degree in 1981. He lettered three years as a fullback and played in the 1978 Rose Bowl. 

Kochevar begins his second season as Humboldt States defensive coordinator.   Kochevar led the Lumberjack defense to unprecedented success during the 2016 season. HSU ranked first in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense. He coached the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year, Dillon Huffman, and the conferences Newcomer of the Year, safety Chris Hannible. In total, eight defensive players represented the Green and Gold as GNAC All-Conference selections.   Prior to arriving at HSU, he spent the previous three seasons as a defensive assistant at NCAA Division I Colorado State under current Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain. He returned to Colorado State in 2012 after spending four seasons at Colorado Mesa University. He was a star safety for the Rams from 2003-05. Prior to joining the Rams coaching staff, he was the secondary coach and special teams unit coordinator at CMU.   Kochevar's defensive expertise helped Colorado Mesa rank fourth overall in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in total defense during the 2010 season. Inside linebacker Bennett Newton ranked 12th in Division II and led the conference in tackles per game (11.0). Defensive back Aaron Silverthorn ranked third in the league in tackles. Five defensive players earned RMAC All-Conference honors including Newton's selection to the National Football Foundation All-Colorado Team. In 2008, CMU's secondary placed two players on the All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team and three players on the All-RMAC Special Teams. All-American kicker Jared Keating was named RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year and invited to play in the Cactus Bowl. A local standout at Fruita Monument High School, Kochevar was a three-sport athlete for the Wildcats. He was football, basketball and baseball standout and was tabbed a three-time, all-conference and two-time, all-state defensive player. Kochevar was named to the All-Colorado team and named Rocky Mountain Defensive Player of the Year following his senior season. Kochevar was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Colorado State. He was voted a team captain during his senior year, during which he led the team in tackles. He was voted Most Valuable Player by the Rocky Mountain Collegian.  Kochevar was a member of the 2002 Mountain West championship team. His best season in the Green and Gold came during his senior season in 2005 when he recorded 91 tackles and a sack.   Kochevar and his wife Krista reside in Trinidad, Calif.  

Archibeque joined the Humboldt State football coaching staff in the spring of 2015. He will serve as the defensive line coach and  recruiting coordinator. Archibeque is a seasoned coach with 17 years of high school football coaching experience in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.