Simpson University Men's Football

Head Coach Jason Deaver comes to Simpson as he takes the helm of the men's and women's golf programs.  Prior to coming to Simpson University, Coach Deavers had a decorated playing career on the course. A Redding native as he stared at Enterprise High School in basketball and golf.  Following high school, he golfed at Monterey Peninsula College from 2018-22 before turning professional in 2023. Deaver's graduated with his Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Justice and Social Science.  He is a Redding native as he attended Redding Christian Schools before attending Enterprise High School. Coach Dever comes from a lustrous coaching family as his father Jim Deaver coached cross country at Enterprise High School for over 30 years while his mother was a counselor at Foothill High School and a personal counselor at Pathway church. Coach Dever currently attends Valley Christian Family Church.  "I am excited to have an impact on these kids' lives through faith and their golf careers. I was handed a very good program and would like to build it into a nationally competitive one. " In his free time, Coach Dever is a fly-fishing guide and an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He also enjoys surfing, snowboarding, and just about anything in God's great outdoors.  “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  "It is a reminder for my players and I that no matter the situation or the bad hole or day on or off the course that we have already won. Jesus has conquered it all for us and through Him we too are successful and will have eternal life. "

Coach Trevor Utter was named the Head Football Coach in 2025 after his first season as the Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Coach in 2024. Prior to coming to Simpson, Coach Utter coached Lincoln County High School in Montana for 13 years while being named Coach of the Year three times and leading them to three State Titles.  He graduated from University of Montana with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Education Leadership while playing football for the Grizzlies for four year (1994-98).  Coach Utter is Married to Amber and they have three children (Sienna, Alyssa, Caleb).  "My purpose is to share the love of Christ, my avenue to do so is coaching football."

Coach Manny Casados is a Red Bluff native and an offensive line assistant coach.  Coach Casados comes back to his alum where he graduated back in 2011 with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. Before completing his single and multiple-subject credentials in 2016 from SU. He was a standout student in the classroom as he received the Dean's Cup from the Department of Education.  Prior to coming to Simpson, he spent time as the offensive and defensive coordinator during his 14-year tenure at Red Bluff High School. He also coached one year at UPREP as the varsity defensive coordinator.  During his playing days, Coach Casados was a standout D-lineman as he played four years at Red Bluff High School and then two years at Shasta College before needing knee surgery.  In high school, he was an All-League and All-Section D-linemen his senior year of high school and was a part of two division championship teams, and a section championship team in 1991.  He was voted the Most Inspirational Player of the Year his senior season and had his name engraved on the trophy along with former NFL quarterback, Gale Gilbert.  He is excited to make an impact and be back home as a Red Hawk.  "When I graduated from Simpson in 2011, I had dreamed of a football program at the University. Now, 13 years later, that dream has come to fruition. I am excited to be a part of the foundation of this program. Though it’s a small school, I still take pride in being a Simpson Alum." "There may be people that have more talent then you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do." - Derek Jeter  Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Twitter/X handle: @coachcasados  

Jacob Zier joined the Red Hawks football coaching staff in 2025 as the Defensive Coordinator.  Before coming to Simpson, Coach Zier has accumulated a decorated coaching career including stops as an Outside Linebackers Coach and a Volunteer Defensive Line Assistant at Eastern Washington University (2013-15), Defensive Line Coach at Puyallup High School (2014-15), Defensive Backs Coach at Trinity International University (2016-17), Defensive Line Coach at Wenatchee High School (2022 & 2018), Cornerbacks Coach at Minot State University (2019-21), and Bluffton University as the Defensive Coordinator and interim Head Coach (2023-25).  Coach Zier proved to be instrumental in the improvement of Bluffton University's defensive resurgence as he helped turn one of the worst defenses in 2024 into the NAIAs most improved unit. Reducing points allowed by 18.4 PPG, yards by 123.5 YPG, rushing yards by 89.1 YPG, and passing yards by 34.4 YPG. They doubled their interceptions, increased their sacks by 33%, reduced total Red Zone opportunities by 17, and generated 35 more 3rd Downs while allowing five fewer 3rd Down Conversions for a 25% improvement. He helped transform a defense that ranked 226th nationally (467.8 YPG) into one of the HCAC’s top units, reducing yardage by 89.7 YPG, scoring by 12.1 PPG, improving 3rd-down defense by 7.5%, and red-zone scoring defense by 19.5% in one season (2023). He built the HCAC’s best red-zone defense in back-to-back seasons (2023–24)—the program’s first consecutive conference-leading finish since at least 2008 and Bluffton’s best red-zone unit since 2018.  Coaching Accolades:  Generated 23 takeaways (most at Bluffton since 2017), including 17 interceptions (most since 2012) (2023), tied for 3rd in HCAC in INTs, with 4 interceptions inside the red zone (2024).  Increased tackles for loss by 14, producing Bluffton’s most TFLs since 2016, tying for 11th nationally in solo TFLs (2024), and set a school record with 9 sacks in a single game (2023).  Improved 4th-down stops by 9.1%, led the HCAC in forced fumbles, and tied for 1st in fumble recoveries in conference play (2024).  Contributed to the program’s first win over Franklin College since 2013 and Bluffton’s highest HCAC finish since 2017 (2024).  Developed multiple All-HCAC defenders, including Nick Perry (2023 2nd Team, 2024 1st Team), Marvus McWright (2023 Honorable Mention, 2024 2nd Team), Jaydon McBreen (2023 Honorable Mention), Malik Echols (2023 Honorable Mention), Travion Curry (2024 2nd Team; HCAC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 10 2024)), Nolan Whobrey (2024 Honorable Mention; HCAC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 6 2024)), and Maxwell Moore (2024 Honorable Mention), across the 2023–24 seasons.  Led the Defensive Line in 2022 on a unit that improved across all major metrics, increasing sacks by 3, generating 16 additional TFLs, allowing 35 fewer rushing YPG, 6 fewer PPG, and producing 20 takeaways—double the previous season’s total.  Camp Coordinator (2021–2023): Established Minot State’s first Team Camp, generating the largest fundraising deposit of the coaching tenure.  Led the Cornerbacks to significant pass-defense improvements, allowing two fewer passing TDs year-over-year (2019), cutting passing yards by 16 YPG (2021), and helping the unit improve from last to first in the NSIC (2021) while tying for the most wins in the program’s Division II era (2019).  Coached Knylen Miller-Levi to NSIC North Division First Team All-Conference honors (2021).  Academic Coordinator (2020–2021): Led academic accountability efforts, increasing team GPA by 4.9% and producing the highest team GPA in eight years (3.21).  Assistant Special Teams Coordinator in 2019, helped coach a unit that tied for 5th nationally with four blocked punts.  Developed a Defensive Backs unit in 2018 that reduced passing yards allowed from 1,961 to 1,265 year-over-year (-696 yards).  Coached Farace Nassar and Dalton Thomas to 2nd Team All-League honors in 2018, with Thomas earning Most Improved Player and advancing to play at Southwestern College.  Cultivated an environment of competition in 2016 that drove increased defensive line production in all statistical categories, including adding 11.5 sacks, 75 tackles, and 21.5 TFLs to the previous season’s totals.  Coached a defensive line unit in 2016 that produced 23 sacks on the season, marking only the fourth 20-sack season for Trinity since 2006.  Developed Godfrey Collins II in 2016, an NCCAA All-American and MSFA Midwest League Honorable Mention selection.  Developed Brady Winter in 2014 and Gavin Dunayski in 2015, who went on to play at Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Wyoming, respectively.  Part of Eastern Washington’s historic 2013 season, becoming the 4th FCS program ever to defeat a ranked FBS opponent and advancing to the National Semifinals.  Coach Zier attended Eastern Washington University (2009-11), University of Puget Sound (2011-12), and Eastern Washington (2013), where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Communications.  He is happily married to his wife Cristina, as they live in Redding, CA, with their three daughters: Reighlyn, Kinley, and Adelynn.  Coach Zier's excitement:  "The opportunity to join the community of Simpson University and be a part of building the foundation of a young football program. Being a part of a staff that coaches with a Biblical worldview is an exciting element that separates Simpson University and makes it unique."

Coaching  · Simpson University Asst. Head Coach 2023 – Present  · Modesto Christian HS Head Coach 2020 – 2023  · Rite of Passage HS Head Coach 2007 - 2010  · Calvary Temple HS Head Coach 2001 – 2007  · Trinity Bible College Offensive Line Coach 1996 – 2001  Playing  · Trinity Bible College 1990 – 1992  · University of Wisconsin – La Crosse 1976 – 1978  · Tomah High School 1973 – 1976  Education  · Trinity Bible College – B.A. in Biblical Studies – 1992  · Northern State University – M.A. in Teaching Social Science – 1996  · University of Phoenix – EdD (ABD) in Educational Leadership  Military  · US Army (Active Duty) 1979 – 1988  · US Army (National Guard) 1988 – 1999  · US Army (Reserves) 1999 – 2005  · Retired as Master Sergeant (E-8)

Defensive Backs Coach - Volunteered at Virginia Tech (2019) - Volunteered at UPREP (2024) Playing career:  High School football: Salem High School, Virginia Beach, Va. (2009-2013) College football:  Virginia Tech (2013-2017) NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars (2018) Education: Bachelor's Degree in Multimedia/Journalism Accolades:  2x Captain at VT 3x Third Team All ACC Lived in Redding for four years and he is Married to Sarah Motuapuaka and they have a five-month old son. "Walking with young men and mentoring them through football and life is what I'm most excited about. I also feel honored to be a part of building a new program. We get the opportunity and privilege to set a standard and culture of what it means to be a Simpson football player."