Minnesota State University-Mankato Men's Football

Todd Hoffner enters his 15th season as head coach of the Minnesota State football program. He is also serving as the quarterbacks coach. Over the course of 14 seasons, Hoffner has led Minnesota State to 10 NCAA playoff appearances (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024) including appearances at the NCAA National Championship game in 2014 and 2019. The Mavericks also advanced to a Mineral Water Bowl game in 2011. He owns an overall record of 142-37 with the Mavericks. Under Hoffner, the Mavericks have won seven NSIC Championships (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2022) and nine NSIC South Division Championships (2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2022). In 2008, Hoffner transformed a team that finished 4-7 the year before into a team which finished 9-3, won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division, and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in school history. The Mavericks finished the season ranked #23 in the nation, marking the third time in school history that the Mavericks were ranked at the conclusion of the season by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). In 2009, Minnesota State played to a 10-2 record and was named the NSIC South Division champions. The Mavericks qualified for their second straight NCAA appearance and hosted the first playoff game in the history of Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks finished the year ranked #12 in the AFCA coaches poll. In 2010, the Mavericks finished 6-5, securing the 45th winning season in program history and marking the first time since 1991-94 that MSU has recorded three straight winning seasons. The 2011 season saw the Mavericks finish with a 9-3 record, including a 28-14 postseason win over Northeastern State in the Mineral Water Bowl. With its 9-3 record, MSU recorded its fourth straight winning season. The Mavericks earned a share of the NSIC Regular Season Championship and the NSIC South Division Championship. The 2014 season proved to be one for the record books as Hoffner returned as head coach, guiding the Maverick football program to a 14-1 record, en route to its first appearance in the NCAA National Championship game falling to CSU-Pueblo 13-0. The Mavericks finished the season #2 in the AFCA coaches poll. Six Mavericks would go on to claim All-American honors for their efforts in the 2014 season including Joshua Gordon (Don Hansen, D2Football.com, AFCA, Daktronics, AP), Nathan Hancock (Don Hansen), Josh Meeker (Don Hansen, D2Football.com, AP, Daktronics, CoSIDA), Justin Otto (CoSIDA), Chris Reed (D2Football.com) and Connor Thomas (CoSIDA). MSU would keep things rolling with home field advantage in the NCAA Tournament as it defeated Pittsburg State (24-21 OT), Minnesota Duluth (44-17) and Concord (47-13) to advance to the NCAA Championship game against CSU-Pueblo.  MSU would establish several program records during its historic season including points scored (600), rushing yards (3,625), total offense (6,704) and all-purpose yards (8,103). The Maverick offense averaged 40 points per game, while the defense allowed just 12.9 points per contest as opposing offenses managed to score just 193 points in 15 games. The 2015 season saw the Mavericks three-peat as NSIC Champions as they finished the season with a 10-2 overall record. MSU also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time during his tenure at MSU where it faced Emporia State in the first round falling 52-51. A total of five Mavericks received at least one All-American honor as well, while 12 Mavericks received All-NSIC honors. Highlights from Minnesota State's 2015 season would include the Mavericks' home opener against Minnesota Duluth where the Mavericks erased a 17-point deficit to defeat the Bulldogs 20-17 in front of 6,378 fans. The Mavericks would then go on to set a Blakeslee Stadium attendance record of 7,187 fans who witnessed MSU's 35-27 homecoming victory over Augustana. Minnesota State was ranked 13th in the final AFCA poll. The 2016 season saw the Mavericks finish their season with an 8-3 record, marking the seventh time the Mavericks have finished their season with a winning record under Hoffner. In total, eight Mavericks went on to receive All-NSIC honors and five would claim Don Hansen All-Central Region accolades. Zach Dodge would go on to receive Don Hansen All-American honors as well. Highlights from the 2016 season include MSU's 45-12 road victory over St. Cloud State, which included a 28-point effort in the second quarter. MSU followed up with another 45-point performance two weeks later as the Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 45-10 in their annual homecoming game, marking Hoffner's sixth homecoming victory. Minnesota State then went on to spoil the homecoming festivities at Augustana as the Mavericks defeated the Vikings 42-35. The 2017 season saw the Mavericks return to dominance in the NSIC as they finished the regular season with an 11-0 record, to go along with an NSIC Championship and an NSIC South Division Championship. Highlights of Minnesota State's regular season include its 38-23 win over #20 Minnesota Duluth on the road, MSU's 42-21 win over Augustana during its annual Homecoming Game and its 27-23 road victory over #13 Sioux Falls during the regular season finale. A total of 16 Mavericks would receive All-NSIC honors for their efforts and three of them, Casey Bednarski, Evan Perrizo and Jake Porter would go on to claim All-American accolades. Behind its 11-0 record, the Mavericks made their fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament under Hoffner. MSU would open the tournament against #20 CSU-Pueblo in a rematch of the 2014 NCAA Championship. The ThunderWolves were able to jump out to an early 10-0 lead, but the Mavericks responded two field goals and touchdown to take a 13-10 lead with just over 13 minutes to go in the game. CSU-Pueblo was able to knot up the score at 13-13, but MSU prevailed in overtime as Casey Bednarski drilled a 37-yard field goal to give MSU the 16-13 win. MSU followed with a dominating 63-21 win over #5 Midwestern State in the second round of the tournament, before falling to Texas A&M-Commerce 31-21 in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The Mavericks were ranked fourth in the final AFCA poll. The Mavericks kept their dominant run in the NSIC going in the 2018 season as they once again finished with an 11-0 regular season record for the third time under Hoffner. With its 11-0 record, MSU claimed an NSIC South Division Championship and a share of the overall NSIC Championship. MSU's first two road wins of the season at Augustana (38-36) and Winona State (31-21) saw the Mavericks rally in the second half to claim the wins. MSU would also claim its eighth straight Homecoming victory as it defeated St. Cloud State 45-10 in front of an attendance of 6,111 at Blakeslee Stadium. A total of 13 Mavericks would go on to claim All-NSIC honors and six would later garner All-American accolades including Chance Bowen (D2CCA), Alex Goettl (CoSIDA), Nate Gunn (D2CCA), Evan Heim (D2CCA, D2Football.com, Don Hansen), Hunter Toppel (Don Hansen) and Shane Zylstra (AFCA, CoSIDA). Heading into the 2018 NCAA Tournament, the Mavericks received the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. MSU would host #9 CSU-Pueblo in the second round of the tournament, marking the second straight season that they have met in the NCAA Tournament. As they had in 2017, the Mavericks came out on top as they bested the ThunderWolves 24-10 after scoring the game's first 24 points. Round three of the NCAA Tournament saw the weather play a factor as snow covered the field at Blakeslee Stadium during MSU's game vs. #6 Tarleton State. Trailing 10-0 and with the snow continuing to fall the Mavericks began their second drive of the third quarter on their own three yard line with 11:19 to go in the third. MSU then went 97 yards in 27 plays, recording nine first downs, while taking an NCAA record 12:09 off the clock. The drive culminated in a touchdown pass from Ryan Schlichte to Shane Zylstra on a fourth and goal from the five. With just under two minutes to go in the game, Nate Gunn, who set an MSU single-game record with carries, raced into the end zone from 13 yards out to give the Mavericks the 13-10 win. MSU eventually fell to #2 Ferris state in the semifinals by the score of 42-25. The Mavericks wer ranked third in the final AFCA poll. The 2019 season would prove to be another memorable season for Minnesota State as it once again went 11-0 during the regular season for the fourth time under coach Hoffner. MSU would again claim the NSIC Championship and the NSIC South Division Championship with its 11-0 regular season record. Highlights of the season include MSU's ninth straight Homecoming victory as the Mavericks bested #12 Minnesota Duluth 52-7, which proved the be the most lopsided victory for either team in their 39 meetings. Two weeks later, Minnesota State would set a team single-game record of 74 points score in its 74-17 win over the University of Mary. The following week the Mavericks would surpass the record of 74 points with an 81-0 shutout of Minnesota Crookston, which marked coach Hoffner's 100th career victory at MSU in his home state of North Dakota. As they had during the previous season, the Mavericks claimed the No. 1 seed and a first round bye in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. For the third consecutive year, MSU would take on #9 CSU-Pueblo at Blakeslee Stadium, and for the third straight year the Mavericks would prevail as they bested the ThunderWolves 35-7. The third round saw a rematch of the third round of the 2017 playoffs as the Mavericks hosted #21 Texas A&M-Commerce. This time the Mavericks would dominate as the they bested the Lions 42-21. MSU's fourth trip to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament would be the first time since 2008 that the Mavericks would take part in a road NCAA Tournament game as they made the trip to #8 Slippery Rock. Minnesota State would go on to claim its first NCAA Tournament victory on the road since 1993 as it bested The Rock 58-15 to advance to the NCAA Championship for the second time in team history. #20 West Florida would go on to defeat Minnesota State 48-40 in the NCAA Championship game. MSU would set several team records during the 2019 season, including points scored (712), rushing yards (4,246), rushing attempts (713), rushing touchdowns (59), total offense (7,766), all-purpose yards (9,063) and punt returns (44). The Mavericks would finish the 2019 season ranked second in the AFCA poll, while five Mavericks including Alex Goettl (CoSIDA), Nate Gunn (AFCA, AP, D2CCA, D2Football.com, Don Hansen), Evan Heim (AP, D2CCA, D2Football.com, Don Hansen, Zach Robertson (Don Hansen) and Shane Zylstra (AFCA, CoSIDA, AP, D2CCA, D2Football.com, Don Hansen), claimed All-American accolades. The Mavericks returned to action in the fall of 2021 after the 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19. The Mavericks went 6-5, marking their 13th consecutive winning season. Seven Mavericks received All-NSIC honors Jalen Sample, Hunter Toppel and Ty'Shonan Brooks who each received All-NSIC First Team honors. Brooks would go on to receive AFCA All-American Second Team honors. The 2022 season saw the Mavericks claim their seventh NSIC Championship under coach Hoffner as the Mavericks posted a 9-2 conference record, including wins in their final five games of the regular season. A total of 12 Mavericks claimed All-NSIC honors for their efforts, including Marshall Foerner, Jack Roussel, Nyles Williams, Payton Conrad, Trent Carpenter and Trey Vaval who all earned First Team honors. Valval would go on to claim D2CCA All-American Second Team honors. Behind its 9-2 NSIC record during the 2022 regular season, Minnesota State returned to the NCAA Tournament marking the eighth time the Mavericks have reached the NCAA Tournament during Hoffner's tenure. The Mavericks hosted Wayne State in the first round and came away with a 26-9 win at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU then traveled to Golden, Colo., to take on Colorado School of Mines in the second round. The 93 combined points proved to be one of the highest scoring games in program history as Mines defeated the Mavericks 48-45. The Mavericks made their ninth trip to the NCAA Tournament under coach Hoffner as they finished the year with a 9-3 record. The Mavericks finished the regular season second in the NSIC standings with an 8-2 conference record. In total, 12 Mavericks claimed All-NSIC honors, including Shen Butler-Lawson, Marshall Foerner, Zach Roggow, Jacob Daulton, Maven Kretche, Trey Vaval and Khai West who claimed All-NSIC First Team honors. Butler-Lawson, Vaval and Krecthe would all claim AFCA All-American honors. Butler-Lawson also received AP All-American accolades as well. In 2024, Minnesota State finished second in the NSIC standings with an 8-3 record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. MSU won its first five games of the season as 12 Mavericks went on to claim All-NSIC honors. Six, including Marshall Foerner, TreShawn Watson, Sam Backer, Maven Kretche, Khai West and Anotonio Alzheimer were named to the All-NSIC First Team. Backer also became the third Maverick to be named the NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Foerner, Hagen and Cody Brown would also claim All-American honors as well. After finishing the regular season with an 8-3 record, Minnesota State advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 10th time under Hoffner, The Mavericks once again traveled to Sioux Falls to take on Augustana in the opening round. Trailing 19-10 with 3:11 to go, the Mavericks rallied in the closing minutes as a touchdown and an onside kick recovery set the stage for MSU's Matthew Jaeger who connected on the game-winning field goal 34-yard field goal to give the Mavericks the 20-19 win. Round two would see MSU travel to CSU Pueblo for the first time. Again the Mavericks trailed at halftime, but a 20-point fourth quarter which included another last-second field goal from Jaeger, proved to be the difference as MSU defeated the ThunderWolves 26-23. Making their sixth appearance in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, the Mavericks returned home to Blakeslee Stadium to take on the Bemidji State Beavers. MSU again rallied in the second half to take a 27-23 lead with 11:07 to go in the game. The Beavers manged to get to the MSU four yard line in the closing seconds, but the Maverick defense would not break as they broke up two passes before forcing a turnover on downs to end the game. the Mavericks then made their fifth appearance in the NCAA Semifinals as they traveled to Valdosta State. A 25-yard touchdown pass from Ekern to Emamanuel brought the Mavericks within seven of VSU at 28-21 with 10:56 remaining, but the Blazers were able to get the last score of the game before they came away with the 35-21 win. In 14 seasons under Hoffner, 204 Mavericks have earned All-NSIC South Division honors, including 13 during the 2024 season. In 2009, Hoffner was named the NSIC Coach of the Year and the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year. He would be named the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year again in 2018. Hoffner has also seen five of his players receive extra recognition from the NSIC including NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year Junior Aumavae in 2009, NSIC Defensive Player of the Year Joshua Gordon in 2014 & 2015 and NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year Nick Pieruccini in 2014. In 2017, Shane Zylstra was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year and Nate Gunn was named the NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year. In 2019, Hoffner was named the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year for the third time, before being named the AFCA Coach of the Year. Nate Gunn was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, while Jack Leius was named the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Khai West was named the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2023. The 2024 season saw Sam Backer named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year. During his 14 years at MSU, 225 Mavericks have earned Academic All-NSIC honors and nine went on to claim CoSIDA Academic All-American honors, including Alex Goettl, Josh Meeker, Justin Otto, Jake Porter, Jeffrey Raymond, Connor Thomas, Shane Zylstra, Marshall Foerner and Cody Brown. The Mavericks have also been active in the community as they have participated in youth reading programs, the Million Tree Project, Echo Food Shelf and playground supervision. Hoffner – who was introduced as the Maverick’s new head coach on Jan. 25, 2008 – spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons as the offensive coordinator for the University of South Dakota. Prior to his stint in Vermillion, Hoffner spent seven seasons as the head coach at Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1999-2005) where he led the Blugolds to a 42-28 record and a UWEC to a league title in 2001. His teams at UW-Eau Claire were nationally ranked five consecutive years, including as high as sixth in the nation. Before taking the reigns at UW-Eau-Claire, Hoffner served as an assistant coach for eight seasons at Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1991-98). A 1989 Valley City State University grad where he was a cornerback on the football team and a 400-meter hurdler on the track team, Hoffner earned a master’s degree from the University North Dakota in 1991. A native of Esmond, N.D., Hoffner and his wife, Melodee, have three children. Todd Hoffner's Career Record at Minnesota State Season W L Pct. 2008&$ 9 3 .750 2009&$ 10 2 .833 2010 6 5 .545 2011*& 9 3 .750 2014*&$^ 14 1 .933 2015*&$ 10 2 .833 2016 8 3 .727 2017*&$ 13 1 .928 2018*&$ 13 1 .928 2019*&$^ 14 1 .933 2021 6 5 .545 2022*&$ 10 3 .769 2023$ 9 3 .750 2024$ 11 4 .733 Total 142 37 .793 * Indicates NSIC Championship & Indicates NSIC South Division Championship $ Indicates NCAA Tournament Appearance ^ indicates NCAA Championship Game Appearance Win No. 100 at Minnesota State - October 29, 2019 vs. Minnesota Crookston in Grand Forks, N.D. | W, 81-0 Todd Hoffner's Overall Career Record   School W L Pct. Minnesota State (14 seasons) 142 37 .793 UW-Eau Claire (7 seasons) 42 28 .600 Total 184 65 .738 Coach Hoffner also went 4-0 at UW-Eau Claire in international competition. Mavericks Under Hoffner in the NFL NFL Roster Experience Adam Thielen - 9 seasons | Minnesota Vikings (2014-present) Chris Reed - 7 seasons | Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-19), Miami Dolphins (2019), Carolina Panthers (2019-2021), Minnesota Vikings (2022-present) Shane Zylstra - 2 seasons | Detroit Lions (2021-present) NFL Free Agent Contracts Junior Aumavae - Dallas Cowboys (2010), New York Jets (2013) LaMark Brown - Atlanta Falcons (2012), Buffalo Bills (2012), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012), Minnesota Vikings (2012-13) Cordell Bell - San Diego Chargers (2012) NFL Minicamp Invites Chris Schaudt - Minnesota Vikings (2014) Jon Wolf - Minnesota Vikings (2014), Miami Dolphins (2014) Bryan Keys - Minnesota Vikings (2015) Lawrence Walker - Minnesota Vikings (2016) Joshua Gordon - Kansas City Chiefs (2016) Tyler Henderson - Minnesota Vikings (2016) Casey Bednarski - Chicago Bears (2019)  

Recruiting Area (Minnesota Metro) Todd Taylor enters his fifth season with Minnesota State and his fourth as the program’s Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach after joining the Mavericks in 2022. Taylor was promoted to defensive coordinator in March 2023 following a standout first season coaching the defensive line and overseeing special teams. In 2022, he coached three All-NSIC selections and directed one of the top special team's units in the conference. Minnesota State led the NSIC in punt return average (19.8), kickoff return net average (41.6), and punt team average (37.0). Trey Vaval earned All-NSIC First Team honors and was later named a D2CCA Second Team All-American. In 2023, Taylor’s defense produced five All-NSIC honorees, including First Team linebacker Jacob Daulton and Second Team selection Dakota Smith. Maven Kretche and Trey Vaval earned AFCA All-America honors. The Mavericks allowed 358.4 yards per game and ranked sixth in the NSIC in scoring defense (25.0 points per game). During the 2024 season, Minnesota State captured the Super Region Four Championship. The Mavericks placed multiple players on the All-NSIC First Team Defense, including Maven Kretche, Khai West, and Antonio Alzheimer. Cody Brown and Joey Goettl earned All-NSIC Second Team honors. West and Alzheimer were also named All-Super Region Four selections, while Alzheimer was recognized on the D2Football.comElite 100 list. In 2025, Taylor’s defense continued its success as Jefferson Mobry earned All-Super Region Three and D2CCA honors. Minnesota State produced multiple All-NSIC selections on defense, with Marcus Hansen, Jefferson Mobry, and Jamal Spiyee earning All-NSIC First Team honors, while Jason Dandridge was named to the All-NSIC Second Team. That season, Taylor’s defense ranked first nationally in defensive touchdowns (7), second in the country in takeaways (32), and allowed just 20.93 points per game. Prior to Minnesota State, Taylor served as Defensive Coordinator and Strength and Conditioning Coach at North Park University. He also spent two seasons at Denison University, coaching running backs in 2018 and linebackers from 2019–20, helping lead the program to back-to-back NCAC Championships in 2018 and 2019. Taylor’s coaching career includes stops at Hanover College (Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs), the University of Indianapolis (Defensive Backs), and Carthage College (Running Backs). A former linebacker, Taylor was a four-year letterwinner at Anderson University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Education. He is married to Shea’na Grigsby and has two children, Rainha Taylor and Todd A. Taylor   

Markell Pete returns for his 3rd season as Minnesota State University Running Backs Coach Pro Liaison for the 2026 season. A Native of Moreno Valley, California, entering his eleventh year of coaching, after 2025 season marks back-to-back deep post season appearance. Pete, coached the running back unit to 325 carries for 1,655 yards & 21 TDs – Sam Backer lead the way with another 1st Team South Division performance and a Top 10 in the nation with (19 TDs) on the ground. During the 2024 season as the Running Backs Coach after a remarkable 2024 Division II semifinals Championship run with the mavericks. He coached the outstanding running back trio in Christian Vasser and 2024 NSIC “Newcomer of the Year.” First team all-conference Sam Backer to an historical season for over 1,600 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns combined. Prior, Pete spent one season as the Running Backs Coach – Pro Liaison for the University of Mary. He also spent three years in a role with the Minnesota Vikings along with being the Offensive Coordinator- Student Life Advisor at DeLaSalle High School and one season at St. Michael-Albertville as the Running Backs Coach. Pete served as the Running Backs coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Orange County, California, where he coached Orange County’s Player of the Year, Chad Magyar who rushed for over 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns and went on to play college football at UNLV. Times/USA named the league the best high school football league in America. Following his playing career Coach Pete, received his first collegiate coaching position as the running backs coach at his alma mater Dickinson State University in Dickinson, N.D. Dickinson State running back duo Jesse Carney and Myron Moore racked up over 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns under his guidance. Pete later worked at University of North Dakotas as the Recruiting Assistant/Pro Liaison Running Backs Quality Control, working with the kick and punt returners. While in Grand Forks, Pete helped coach All-American running backs John Santiago, who earned first-team All-Big Conference honors and was the league’s freshman of the year. Brady Oliveira earned third-team All-Big Sky honors and All-America accolades. Pete was a part of the University of North Dakota staff who was the Big Sky Conference champion in 2016, receiving a first-round bye & 6th overall seed. A former fullback, Pete brings experience in coaching and recruiting. Pete graduated from Dickinson State University with a degree in Social Science and a minor in coaching/criminology.  

Chance Bowen was named the team's defensive ends coach in March 2023. The 2023 season saw Bowen work with the defensive ends, including Maven Kretche who went on to claim All-NSIC First Team honors, to go along with AFCA All-American accolades Prior to joining the Maverick coaching staff, Bowen played four seasons with the Mavericks (2017-22). As a sophomore in 2018, Bowen claimed D2CCA All-American Second Team honors as he led the team in sacks with 11 and finished second on the team in tackles for loss with 12.

Colby Hartig joined the Maverick coaching staff in the spring of 2025 as the Tight Ends Coach and is responsible for recruiting Northern Illinois.  Prior to joining the Maverick Coaching Staff, Hartig played 5 seasons at Minnesota State on the offensive line appearing in 41 games and starting in 19 games. As a senior in 2025 he helped the Mavericks rush for 2,592 yards and 32 touchdowns and helped the team get to the Final Four and win a Regional Championship.  A native of Deforest, Wis., Hartig graduated from Minnesota State in the Fall of 2025 with a bachelors in Business Management. Hartig is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Sports Management at Minnesota State.

Brady Schlaeger joined the Maverick football coaching staff in June 2025 as the Defensive Tackles Coach.  Prior to joining the Maverick coaching staff, Schlaeger played four seasons at Morningside University (2021-2024). He helped his team win an NAIA National Championship in 2021, and an NAIA National semifinal appearance in 2024. He also was named team captain in the 2024 season for the Mustangs and earned GPAC All-Conference Honorable Mention.  A native of Spencer, Iowa, Schlaeger graduated from Morningside in the Fall of 2024 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a minor in sports management and marketing. Schlaeger is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Sports Management at Minnesota State. 

Ryan Schlichte was hired as the Minnesota State football offensive coordinator on March 19, 2024 and is in his first season in fall of 2024. Schlichte also coaches quarterbacks and recruit the Minnesota area and be the point person for Maverick football alumni relationships and fundraising.  Hailing from Mankato, Minn., Schlichte has spent the last three seasons on the Northern State football coaching staff. He joined the Wolves coaching staff as the wide receivers coach in January 2020, before transitioning to the quarterbacks coach in June of 2020. As the quarterbacks coach, Schlichte worked with six quarterbacks, including Hunter Trautman who recorded school records in total offense, passing yards and touchdown passes. He also assisted with offensive game planning. In January of 2022, Schlichte was elevated to Northern State's offensive coordinator. He was responsible for all offensive game planning and play calling. In 2022, NSU finished fourth in the NSIC in passing offense and fourth in third down conversions. In 2023, the Wolves would again finish near the top of the NSIC in passing offense (3rd) and third down conversions. As the offensive coordinator, Schlichte coached four All-NSIC honorees and two All-Americans in Dewaylon Ingram and Dakota Larson. Prior to joining Northern State, Schlichte was a four-year letterwinner and a three-year starting quarterback with the Minnesota State football team. He played in 50 games, while making 40 starts, as he helped the Mavericks reach the NCAA three times in 2017, 2018 and 2019. MSU won a pair of NCAA Super Region 4 Championships in 2018 and 2019 and advanced to the NCAA Championship game in 2019. For his career, Schlichte ranks third all-time at MSU in career touchdown passes (66), fifth in passing yards (5,958), sixth in passing completions (392) and seventh in passing attempts (715). During his sophomore season in 2017, he threw 25 touchdown passes which are the third most in a season in team history. Schlichte earned his bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education at Minnesota State in 2019. He would later earn his master's degree in educational studies at Northern State in 2021, boasting a 4.0 GPA. As a Maverick, he was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence three times. He also received the NCAA Elite 90 award in 2019 which is awarded to the student-athlete who has the highest GPA competing in the NCAA Championship game.

Jake Iery joined the Minnesota State football team in the spring of 2026 as the team's defensive line coach. Prior to joining the MSU coaching staff, Iery coached the previous six seasons with the Northern State Wolves where he worked with the defensive line. During his tenure with the Wolves he coached two All-Americans, 11 All-NSIC athletes, 28 NSIC All-Academic Team members and NSU’s first NFL three-day Rookie Mini Camp invitee in 21 seasons. Iery helped coach the Wolves to a pair of seven win seasons in 2021 and 2025. During his time with the Wolves, NSU consistently ranked in the top-five of several NSIC defensive categories including rushing defense, sacks, tackles for loss and red zone defense. Before joining the Northern State coaching staff, Iery spent two seasons as a student assistant coach at Valparaiso where he worked with the defensive line. Iery played two seasons at Valparaiso and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He would later earn his master’s degree in sports performance from Northern State.  

Isaiah Ramsey joined the Maverick coaching staff in the spring of 2024 as the wide receivers coach. During the 2024 season, Ramsey coached All-NSIC First Team wide receiver and return specialist TreShawn Watson.  Before joining the Mavericks, Ramsey spent one season at Wake Forest as an assistant special teams analyst and recruiting assistant.