Michigan Technological University Men's Football

Dan Mettlach was named the 17th Head Coach in Michigan Tech football history on November 29, 2022. The native of Gwinn, Michigan was one of the top quarterbacks in the 100 years of Michigan Tech football from 2001-04 when he was named an All-American, the 2004 GLIAC Player of the Year, and a two-time All-GLIAC selection. The second year of the Dan Mettlach era saw him lead the Huskies to a 7-4 record overall and a 4-3 ledger in the GLIAC for the first seven-win season since 2015 also finishing in a three-way tie for third in the conference. Quarterback Alex Fries broke the single-game record with 457 passing yards with five touchdowns in a quadruple overtime showdown with South Dakota Mines with a 52-50 win on Thursday Night on Sept. 6. Darius Willis also finished his career with the Huskies as the all-time leader in receptions (220), reception yards (2,836) and reception touchdowns (27).  The Huskies won the 22nd installment of the Miner’s Cup with a 39-9 victory for the 14th-straight Miner’s Cup victory. The Huskies completed the season with a fourth quarter comeback at Saginaw Valley State on Nov. 16 as the Black & Gold scored 22 points in the fourth quarter while holding the Cardinals scoreless in the second half. Quarterback Alex Fries, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, threw for 203 yards and rushed for 69 yards and three touchdowns in his final game for the Huskies.  15 Huskies earned All-GLIAC honors including a league-leading two first team wide receivers in Ethan Champney and Darius Willis. Defensively, Josh Cribben, Austin Schlicht, Hunter Buechel and Brenden Lach earned First Team All-GLIAC Defensive honors. Punter Brenden Lach also earned postseason accolades of D2CCA All-Super Region 3 First Team, AFCA All-America Second Team, D2CCA All-America Second Team, Don Hansen Division II All-America Honors and D2Football.com Elite 100 Team.  In his first year at the helm of his alma mater, Mettlach led the Huskies to a 5-5 overall record and 1-5 in the GLIAC in 2023. Michigan Tech earned its 13th-straight Miner’s Cup victory with an emphatic 62-0 score—the highest-scoring victory in the history of the rivalry, marking the 50th win in series history. The Huskies also earned a feel good win on the road at Upper Iowa on Sept. 23, outsourcing the Peacocks 27-7 in the second half to complete a 34-31 comeback. Nine student-athletes earned All-GLIAC accolades with Ethan Champney, Brandon DeVries, William Marano and Darius Willis earning Second Team Offense distinctions while Michael Bates Jr., Josh Cribben, Samuel Kiiine, Brenden Lach and Marc Sippel claiming Second Team Defense selections. Kinne was also the GLIAC’s McAvoy Award Recipient and a fall GLIAC Commissioner’s Award selection. Punter Brenden Lach earned Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention Selection. He joined Michigan Tech’s staff in January 2017 as the Offensive Coordinator and the Assistant Head Coach and later the Associate Head Coach. "Our goal is to be successful in all aspects of the program both on and off the field," said Director of Athletics Dr. Suzanne Sanregret. "A quality football program is a valued part of Michigan Tech's history, and we’re excited about the vision that Dan has to get us back to the top of the best NCAA Division II conference in the nation. Dan has the backing of our football alumni base and his pro-style offense has been effective in every one of his coaching stops.” “It is an honor to be named the next Head Football Coach at Michigan Technological University,” Mettlach said. “As a former student-athlete here myself, I am familiar with the tradition of excellence and integrity we strive for as a university and within our athletic programs, and I am excited to be able to contribute to that.  “Michigan Tech is an amazing place, and my wife and I couldn’t be happier to continue raising our family in this community. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Suzanne Sanregret for the opportunity to lead this program and am excited for what I feel we can accomplish moving forward.” Mettlach was the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Finlandia University for its first three seasons of NCAA Division 3 football. Mettlach helped start the program with Head Coach Tim Driscoll, who spent 10 years as Michigan Tech's Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. Mettlach was the Special Teams Coordinator, Passing Game Coordinator, and Quarterbacks Coach at Macalester College (NCAA D3) in St. Paul, Minnesota for the 2012 and 13 seasons. In 2011, he helped guide Hillsdale College to a GLIAC Championship as the Quarterbacks Coach. The Chargers averaged 31.6 points and 241.6 passing yards per game. Hillsdale racked up an average of 463.3 yards on offense each time they took the field, and quarterback Anthony Mifsud threw for 2,507 yards and 15 touchdowns during the championship run in 2011. Mettlach also spent three seasons (2007-09) at Northern Michigan University (NCAA D2) where he filled various roles including Quarterbacks Coach, Wide Receivers Coach, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Academic Coordinator. At each stop, Mettlach has also been key in the recruiting process, covering the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Arizona. Mettlach ranks fifth in Michigan Tech history in total offense with a combined total of 6,348 yards and 66 touchdowns. He is seventh overall in passing yards, completing 358 attempts for 5,261 yards and 50 touchdowns. He helped guide the Huskies to a GLIAC Championship and the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2004. Mettlach and his wife Sara reside in Hancock with their daughters Claire and Allison.

Jordan Ferguson was named the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Michigan Tech in January 2022.Ferguson develops, implements, and leads sports-specific strength and conditioning programs that facilitate maximum benefits for all student-athletes to both optimize performance and decrease injury potential for the 14 NCAA Division II programs and esports."Jordan has demonstrated throughout his time as a football student-athlete and graduate assistant that he is passionate about Michigan Tech Athletics and is committed to a philosophy of getting better every day," Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret said. "He did that as a student-athlete and that philosophy has carried into his professional life. Jordan is a mentor and leads with character and will continue to contribute to the championship culture within all of our athletic programs.""Michigan Tech has given me so much over my time as a student-athlete and graduate assistant and has been a monumental part of why I am the man I am today," Ferguson said." I'm so excited to have the opportunity to contribute towards the success of all the athletic programs here and to pass along the values that Michigan Tech has instilled in me to current and future Huskies."Ferguson, a native of Alpena, Michigan, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and led the strength and conditioning efforts for the Michigan Tech football, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and soccer programs from July-December 20221. He served as a Graduate Assistant from January 2021-July 2021, working with the football team. Ferguson also consulted with the track and field, cross country, and Nordic ski teams.Ferguson holds a bachelor's of science in sports and fitness management and a coaching certificate from Michigan Tech and played fullback on the football team from 2015-20. He totaled 286 career receiving yards and 52 yards on the ground with a touchdown and was a three-time All-GLIAC Honorable Mention selection and the team's outstanding freshman in 2017.

Jack Rustman was hired as Michigan Tech football Offensive Line coach in February, 2022 and is in his second season with the Huskies in fall of 2023. Rustman joined the Huskies from Concordia University (Chicago), where he served as offensive line/assistant coach from 2019-21. He was also the program's offensive coordinator in 2021.Prior to Concordia University, Rustman was the head football coach at West Chicago High School (2018), assistant coach at Loyola Academy (2016), and offensive line/offensive coordinator for two stints at Joliet West High School (2010-15, 2017).As a player, Rustman helped the Johnsburg High School (Illinois) Skyhawks post their first-ever 10-win season and win the conference championship. He went on to play four years at Northern Michigan University. There he was a starter as a freshman at right tackle and later center. He was also team captain for three years and a two-time all-GLIAC selection.In the fall of 2010, following a season playing with the Milwaukee Iron of the Arena Football League, Rustman did his student teaching at Joliet West High School. Rustman made the transition from player to coach and was named the varsity offensive line coach and strength and conditioning coach. The following year, he added offensive coordinator responsibilities to his title.In 2016, Rustman moved on to Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ilinois to assist with the offensive line. His year with the Ramblers allowed him to mentor a Division I tight end and two Division I AA linemen. The team finished second in the IHSA playoffs in Class 8A.             Rustman returned to Joliet West for the 2017 season before taking on the head coach's responsibilities at West Chicago High School. The Wildcats began 2018 with a roster of 36 players, which Rustman built up to 75 by the start of the season. The team averaged 325 yards per game on offense and had their first 300-yard passer in a game since 2002.Rustman earned his B.A. in Physical/Health Education from Northern Michigan University in 2010. He then finished his master's degree in Exercise Science from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2018.

Michael Donnelly is in his second season as Defensive Backs and Pass Game Coordinator with the Huskies in 2024. Donnelly joined the staff from Muskingum University, where he served as Defensive Coordinator beginning in the spring of 2021. “We are very excited to get Mike back on staff,” said head coach Dan Mettlach. “He has a great understanding of our defensive system and he also understands and embraces the culture we have at Michigan Tech. We are very fortunate to have him leading our defensive backfield.” Donnelly is familiar with Michigan Tech football, having served three seasons as a graduate assistant working with the defense from 2015 to 2018. While at Tech, his duties included running the scout team offense, special teams scout, and coaching cornerbacks. Donnelly helped Muskingum to a 5-5 record last season and the team had six players named All-Ohio Athletic Conference. A year prior, Donnelly assisted the Muskies to another five-win effort, the most wins since their 1995 campaign. Donnelly, formerly Muskingum’s Defensive Backs Coach, was elevated to Defensive Coordinator in 2021. He arrived in New Concord after serving two years as the Defensive Backs and Recruiting Coordinator at Colorado Mesa University. Donnelly has several years of coaching experience working with defensive backs and coached five all-conference players and two all-Americans while at Colorado Mesa.  Donnelly also brings recruiting experience in northeastern Ohio and the western United States. He graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and competed as a defensive back on the football team.

Blake Hewitt is in his first season as Assistant Offensive Line Coach in 2023-24. Hewitt is an Upper Peninsula native and played offensive line for the Huskies beginning in 2019. He twice earned GLIAC All-Academic recognition.Hewitt served as the team's offensive student assistant during the 2022-23 season. He received a bachelor's degree in Excercise Science and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Kinesiology.

JT Jurasin is in his first season as Linebackers Coach in 2023-24.Jurasin came to the Huskies from Northern Michigan, where he was elevated to the role of Special Teams Coordinator in 2022 and also coached cornerbacks and coordinated travel. Jurasin brings recruiting experience from locations including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Arizona. Jurasin is originally from Forest Lake, Minnesota. He played quarterback at North Dakota State College of Science, then transferred to play the same position at Northern Michigan. He graduated NMU with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Coaching in 2015 and continued as a graduate assistant the following year, working with Wildcat runningbacks and quarterbacks.In 2016-17, Jurasin became a full-time assistant coach (Wide Receivers Coach). He then elevated to Quarterbacks Coach and Travel Coordinator and held that post from 2017-20. In 2021, Jurasin served as Interim Co-Offensive Coordinator in the fall, then transitioned to coaching cornerbacks and managing team travel.In his time at NMU, Jurasin helped guide several All-GLIAC players, including quarterback Shayne Browne, who set several NMU records such as career passing yards, single-season passing yards, and career completions.

Phil Milbrath enters his seventh year at Tech and was recently promoted to Assistant Head Coach/ Special Teams Coordinator for the Michigan Tech football program in 2023-24. Milbrath was a standout running back for the Huskies from 2007-10 and is one of the program's all-time leading rushers. "Phil Milbrath is a tremendous addition to the staff as the running backs coach. He has worked with Coach Mettlach so he has a great perspective of our offense from coaching in the system and having played here at Michigan Tech. Milbrath is also a strong recruiter and will recruit Highway 2 in the U.P from Ironwood to Powers and then south to Menominee. In addition, he will recruit Northern Wisconsin and Western Wisconsin along with the Twin Cities. We are excited to add Phil to our staff and in addition to coaching the running backs, he will assist with our special teams." Milbrath, who hails from Norway, Michigan, returned to Michigan Tech after serving as the Assistant Athletic Director at NCAA Division III Finlandia University in Hancock. Milbrath was a graduate assistant, strength and conditioning coach, and an athletic department intern at Tech prior to going to Finlandia. Milbrath worked primarily with football, basketball, volleyball, and hockey during his time with the Huskies."I would like to thank Suzanne Sanregret, Steve Olson, and the rest of the Michigan Tech football staff for allowing me an opportunity to come back and be a part of their program," Milbrath said. "Michigan Tech was home to me for almost seven years and it's a tremendous honor to be back. My experience playing football at Michigan Tech was great and I hope that I can help young student-athletes have the same experience and success that I was able to have. I would also like to thank those at Finlandia for the past three years. I gained a lot of valuable experience and made a lot of good friends there, but It's good to be back home."As player at Tech, Milbrath earned numerous honors for his achievements on the field and in the classroom. He was a two-time Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference selection (2008, 2010), GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year (2010), first-team NCAA Division II All-American (2010), and a national finalist for the Harlon Hill Award (2010) which goes to the top player in Division II each season. Milbrath was a College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District honoree (2010) and named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team (2008, 2009, 2010). Milbrath ranks fourth in the Michigan Tech record books for career rushing yards after piling up 3,934 during his four-year career. He carried the ball 690 times, averaged 5.7 yards per carry, and scored 44 touchdowns. He is also fourth in career scoring with 51 total touchdowns and 308 points while ranking 11th all-time in total offense. Milbrath led the Huskies in rushing yards during the 2008 and 2010 seasons thanks to 1,343 and 1,412 yards respectively. His 21 touchdowns during the 2008 campaign ranks second all-time for a single season in Tech history. He paced the GLIAC that year in yards rushing per game (134.3) and scoring (12.8 points per game) which was third best in all of NCAA Division II. Milbrath earned his bachelor's degree in sports management from Michigan Tech in 2011 and secured his MBA in 2013.

Email: [email protected] Thomas begins his 14th year at Michigan Tech in 2023-24 and 10th as a full-time member of the coaching staff. He enters his seventh season as defensive coordinator and also works as the linebackers coach. Thomas helped the Huskies finish 6-4 overall in 2021, including 5-2 in the GLIAC for third place. Tech's defense tied for second best in the conference, allowing 18.6 points per game to opponents and the Huskies defeated rival Northern Michigan for the 11th straight season in Marquette at Superior Dome. The 2020 season was canceled due to Covid-19. Michigan Tech wrapped up the 2019 campaign 5-5 and finished fifth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings. Twelve Michigan Tech players earned GLIAC Postseason honors while defensive lineman Nate LaJoie was a D2CCA First Team All-Region and Don Hansen First Team All-American.  Following the 2016 season, three of Thomas' players picked up All-GLIAC honors. Defensive lineman Cody Goldsworthy was a second team selection while Evan Mayer picked up honorable mention honors. Punter Ryan VanGoethem was also an All-GLIAC Honorable Mention along with being selected as a 1st Team CoSIDA Academic All-American. In 2015, four of Thomas' players earned All-GLIAC honors following the season. Defensive linemen Tanner Agen and Evan Mayer were second team honorees while defensive lineman Brandon Hutchison and punter Ryan VanGoethem picked up honorable mention accolades. In 2014, three of Thomas’ players were named All-GLIAC including one first-teamer Nelson Wienke, who was the GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year.The Huskies’ defense has ranked among the tops in the GLIAC for each of the last several years including last year, when it finished fifth in scoring defense (26.3 points allowed per game) and second in total defense (337.4 yards allowed per game). Thomas gained a bachelor’s degree in science and physical education from Grand Valley State. He played defensive line for the Lakers for five seasons and was part of two national championships and four Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles during his time there. He also earned Academic All-GLIAC laurels four times. Thomas, a native of South Lyon, Mich., started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan Tech, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration.