Pacific University Men's Football

(Accomplishments while at Pacific) Fifth season as Head Coach of the Boxers football program. Joined Pacific coaching staff in 2010 when program was restarted Helped lead an offense in 2019 that posted best season since return of program (4,560 total yards & 70 TDs) Led the Boxers to their best Northwest Conference record (5-2) since 2014 in his first season as head coach. Ian Falconer enters his sixth season as head coach in 2026. He took the reigns from former coach and now Athletic Director, Keith Buckley following the 2019 season.  In his first season as head coach, Falconer led the Boxers to their best Northwest Conference record (5-2) since 2014. Pacific finished 6-3 overall, with two of those losses coming to ranked opponents. Falconer saw 15 Boxers receive All-NWC honors in the 2021 season with four First-Team honorees. For the last eight seasons, Pacific has had at least one lineman selected all-conference, with linemen Roman Okonowski and Mitchell Ulrich being chosen first team all-Northwest Conference in 2019. Falconer coached an offensive line that blocked for 1,876 yards rushing on 408 attempts with 19 touchdowns – the most since Pacific brought back football in 2010, while the passing game had their best marks since the return of football in 2010, also with 2,684 yards on 238 completions with 21 touchdowns. Combined the Boxer offense set new single-season total offense marks for yards (4,560) and touchdowns (70). The 2018 Boxer offense averaged 298.3 yards of total offense per contest. On three occasions, the Boxer racked up over 400 yards of total offense including a 443-yard effort in the win over Lewis & Clark. In 2017, the Pacific offense averaged a school record 435.1 yards of total offense, including an average of 168.4 yards on the ground per contest. Pacific’s 2015 team averaged 31.1 points and 403 yards of total offense a contest, including an average of 150 yards rushing a game. Four of the five starting offensive linemen earned all-conference honors. In 2014, the offense put up 30.3 points and 364 yards a game and in 2013 they averaged 34.6 points and 399 yards of total offense.     Falconer came to Pacific from Lewis & Clark where he served as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at Lewis & Clark from 2006 to 2009. He began his college coaching career at L&C, serving as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2003 season. In between Lewis & Clark stints, Falconer spent two years at NCAA Division III Oberlin College (OH), where he worked as the offensive line coach and assistant head coach.  He also served as the Yeomen’s strength and conditioning coach and recruiting coordinator.     In addition to his college experience, Falconer spent the 2002 season as the assistant offensive line coach at West Linn High School.     Falconer played his college football at Portland State University.  He was a four-year offensive line standout for the Vikings, earning All-Big Sky Conference honors at center as a senior.  He played a key role on a Portland State offensive line that gave up only 12 sacks during the 2000 season.     Falconer earned his bachelor’s degree in social science from Portland State in 2000.  He and his wife, Angel, reside in Forest Grove with their daughter, Leta.

Jim Craft returned to the Pacific University football coaching staff in January 2020 to serve as the Boxers' offensive coordinator.  Craft was an initial hire along with head coach Ian Falconer to join Keith Buckley as the three came together to help launch Pacific's first football team since 1991. The three combined to establish one of the top offenses in NCAA Division III. With an underclassmen-filled roster in 2011, the Boxer offense ranked third in the Northwest Conference and 23rd in the nation with 282.3 yards passing per game. An arsenal of Boxer quarterbacks combined for a 134.63 pass efficiency rating that was third in the NWC and 65th in the nation.   In addition to what his team did on the field, Craft was instrumental in the recruiting efforts that helped lead Pacific to a 2014 Northwest Conference title - its first since 1952.  Prior to coming back to Pacific, he spent seven years as an assistant coach at Cal Poly, where for the last two years Craft served as the Mustangs' Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the last two years. At Cal Poly, they were a three-time leader in the NCAA FCS in rushing yardage and secured an at-large bid to the playoffs in 2015. Recruited and coach Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, JJ Koski.    Throughout his career, he has been a student of the game where he has learned under legendary coaches Mouse Davis, Jerry Glanville and most recently, Tim Walsh.   Craft has also gained experience serving as an assistant coach at Portland State and Northwest Conference member, Lewis & Clark. While at Portland State, he ascended to the role as the Vikings' offensive coordinator while coaching the quarterbacks after spending time as an offensive line coach, wide receivers and tight ends coach. At Portland State, the Vikings were twice the national leader in passing yardage and he helped recruit and coach seven players who signed NFL contracts. Before his coaching career Craft played tight end at Portland State from 1995-98 and earned honorable mention All-Big Sky in 1997 and second team All-Big Sky his senior season in 1998.    He earned his bachelor's degree from Portland State in 1998 and a master's in 2003. He and his wife, Kelley are the proud parents of daughters, Kayla and Stella Marie and son, Tyler.   

Pacific University RB Coach Born and raised in Stockton, California Spent 5 years at Pacific playing Offensive line that produced the all time rushing leader at Pacific  3RD year as RB Coach at Pacific

Tui Tuitele is in his third year on the Pacific football coaching staff. Tuitele has been the Defensive Line.  He has played on the defensive line for Pacific from 2016-2021. Tuitele was a starter every year for the Boxers, earning All Conference Honors in back-to-back seasons (2019 and 2021). He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics.  "Til the wheels fall off - Tuitele Family

Kit Taura is in his sixth season on the Pacific football coaching staff.  After starting as an offensive line assistant in 2018, Taura coached tight ends in 2020 and was promoted to offensive line coach in 2021. He has coached eight All-Northwest Conference players.  A 2018 Pacific graduate, Taura played for the Boxers on the offensive line, starting four games his junior season and playing in 10 games his sophomore year, helping the Boxers set multiple offensive records.  Taura and his wife, Cydni, also a 2018 Pacific alumna, live in Forest Grove.  Spread Aloha and positivity! #BoxerOhana

Justin Leatherman enters his third season at Pacific University as the Special Teams Coordinator and Safeties Coach. A former All-Conference safety at George Fox University, he brings a strong background in both defensive strategy and special teams execution. Before joining the Boxers, Leatherman spent eight seasons at Westview High School (Ore.) as Defensive Coordinator and JV Head Coach (2015–2022). During his tenure, he helped lead the program to its first Columbia Cup title and built high-effort, disciplined defensive units. Leatherman began his college playing career at College of the Siskiyous, winning back-to-back conference titles (2012–2013), before transferring to George Fox University in 2014. He later completed his bachelor’s degree in communication rhetoric at Portland State University. Coaching Highlights – Pacific University 2024 – Coached the Special Teams Conference Player of the Year 2024 – Coached a Second Team All-Conference Safety 2023 – Coached a Second Team All-Conference Corner Coaching Highlights – Westview High School (6 years as Defensive Coordinator) 2022 – Columbia Cup Champions 2021 – Defense led the state of Oregon in turnovers 2021 – Coached the Metro League Defensive Player of the Year (led state in INTs) Playing Career – George Fox University/College of the Siskyious 2014 – Named NCAA Division III National Player of the Week (2 INTs for touchdowns) 2014 – Led the conference in pass breakups 2014 – All Conference DB 2013 – Conference Champions (Bowl Game Appearance) 2012 – Conference Champions & NFCA Central Division Bowl Champions

NNainoa Coelho-Lopes joined the Pacific Football coaching staff in 2023. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Coelho-Lopes spent the last five years coaching wide receivers at Grand Junction High School in Colorado.

Ben LoPrimo brings a global perspective to the game, shaped by a diverse background as both a player and coach across international and American football landscapes. His career began in the United Kingdom, where he won two national championships at the club level before transitioning to the collegiate game in the United States. At Rhodes College, he played two seasons and was part of the team’s 2013 conference championship run. Following his playing career, LoPrimo gained valuable front-office experience with the NFL’s London office, serving as a team liaison for the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars during their international series games. This role deepened his understanding of the sport’s operations at the highest level. He later shifted his focus to coaching in Colorado, where he rose through the high school ranks with roles including Defensive Backs Coach, JV Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, and Defensive Coordinator. Each position reflected his commitment to player development, strategic leadership, and building a strong team culture.  

2nd season @ Pacific University Football as the  Wide Receiver Coach

-Special Teams Coordinator & DB Coach for Pacific University in Oregon. -Serves as Assistant Recruiting coordinator -a recruits the state of Arizona Oregon & Washington for Pacific 

I am the Cornerbacks Coach for Pacific University Football in Forest Grove, Oregon. I played my career as a cornerback at Pacific. I was born and raised in Utah and attended Layton High School. After my college career was over I joined the coaching staff, coaching the cornerbacks in 2022. I then took an internship with the University of Utah as a strength and conditioning intern for Utah Football in spring of 2023. Post internship I assisted at Layton High School in the fall of 2023. I have now returned to Pacific University for 2024.

Hired as Pacific's new Defensive Coordinator in March of 2025, Bates arrived from George Fox University, where he was the lead assistant and first coach hired by head coach Chris Casey in starting up their football program (January 2013), after not having football for 50 years. Bates was able to quickly build the defense into one of the top units in the conference. The program boasted their first winning record in 2016 at 6-4, beating Puget Sound, Pacific, and PLU in league, the first times since reinstating football. In fact, GFU hadn't had a winning season for 17 years prior to their dropping of the program in 1968, making the 2016 season their institutions first football winning season in 65 years. Over the last seven full seasons, the George Fox defense had held their opponents to an average of 19.2 points per game, placing them as the second best in the Northwest Conference over that time. Those years were highlighted with D3 national statistical rankings of: •4th in Interceptions (2018) 20 interceptions •10th in Interceptions (2019) 17 interceptions •12th in Scoring Defense (2017) 12.9 points allowed per game •18th in Red Zone Defense (2017) .6 efficiency •20th in Sacks (2022) 31 sacks •24th in Rushing Defense (2018) •25th in Team Passing Efficiency Defense (2019) •28th in Total Defense (2018) Other Defense Highlights/Awards from 2014-2024 •All-American d3football.com: 2 •All West Region: 5 •CoSida Academic All-American: 1 •CoSida/CSC Academic All-District: 7  •NWC Defensive Player of the Year: 2 (2017/2019) •NWC Rookie of the Year: 1 (2022) •NWC 1st Team All-Conference: 19  •Finalist for National Defensive Player of the Year (Cliff Harris Award): 2  •National Team of the Week (d3football.com): 8 times •NWC Players of the Week: 17 times Prior to Fox, Bates worked with coach Casey at Aloha HS, coordinating the defense while coaching defensive backs for two seasons, helping the team reach the quarterfinals of the OSAA 6A state playoffs.  Bates was the Defensive Coordinator at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska from 2004-2010. By year two in Lincoln, their defense had developed into one of the better units in the country, with the following highlights: •4 All-Americans •16 All-Conference Performers •3 COSIDA ESPN the Magazine Academic All-Americans •10 Academic All-District VIII players •2 Players selected as NAIA National Player of the Week •Three 7 win seasons in a row, first time since 1991 •Coached all-time GPAC interception leader National NAIA/Div.3 Statistics from 2004-2010 •5 Interceptions for Touchdowns, School Record (2010) •Recorded at least one shutout for the 5th year in a row, 1st time since 1990. (2010) •12th National Ranking in Scoring Defense, 18.1 Pts/G (2009) •10th National Ranking in Total Defense, 282.4 Yds/G (2009) •2nd National Ranking in Scoring Defense, 11.2 Pts/G (2008)  9th National Ranking in Total Defense, 217.7 Yds/G (2008) •9th National Ranking in Scoring Defense, 14.5 Pts/G (2007) •3 straight shutouts, first time for NWU since 1967 (2007) •9th National Ranking in Total Defense, 217.7 Yds/G (2006) During 2002-03, he coached at Western Oregon University as the defensive line coach in the fall and worked in Europe as the defensive coordinator for the Chrysler Vienna Vikings (Austria) in the spring.His time in Vienna was highlighted with the Vikings winning the Austrian National Championship both seasons and playing for the Eurobowl Championship against Braunschweig, Germany in his last year. A 2000 graduate of Whitworth University with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Bates remained at his alma mater to begin his coaching career as an assistant in 2000-01, primarily coaching linebackers. In 2001, Whitworth won the Northwest Conference crown and made the NCAA Division III playoffs, the Pirates’ first postseason appearance in 25 years. That year, all three of his starting linebackers were selected 1st Team All Northwest Conference, while Doug Edmonson was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year. Playing for the Pirates, Bates was a two time all conference player at safety and was selected as team captain for both his Junior and Senior seasons. He completed his master's degree in secondary education from Whitworth in 2006. An Aumsville, OR native Bates graduated from Cascade High School, where he was the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year of the Capital Conference his senior football season. Bates and his wife Dana, an associate professor in the school of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at Pacific, reside in Carlton, Ore. They have two children, Ryan and Alexandra.