Southwest Minnesota State University Men's Football

Scott Underwood is in his fifth season as head coach at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2026. The 11th head football coach in team history, Underwood was named to the position on Jan. 7, 2022.   During his first season on the Mustang sideline, Underwood led SMSU to a 4-7 record, recording the most victories for the program since the 2018 season. SMSU opened the season with a 4-1 record, including winning four straight games for the first time since 2015. The team dealt with multiple injuries on both sides of the ball in the second half of the season, including starting three different quarterbacks. SMSU suffered several close losses during the 2023 season, but closed the season earning a home victory over the University of Sioux Falls. The victory was the program's first win over USF in 11 attempts during the Division II era. Underwood has compiled a four-year mark of 7-37 at SMSU and is 93-88 overall in 16 seasons as a head coach. A total of six players have earned All-NSIC honors during his time at SMSU, including defensive back, Parker Knutson, who was named All-American following the 2025 season.  Underwood came to SMSU after recording 10 winning seasons with three NCAA playoff appearances in 12 seasons (2008-19) as head coach at St. Cloud State University. The 2011 NSIC Coach of the Year, Underwood compiled a record of 86-51 in 12 seasons, before the program was eliminated following the 2019 season. His teams won seven or more games seven times, including a school record 12 victories in 2013. The Huskies made NCAA playoff appearances in 2010, 2011 and 2013 and won a share of both the NSIC North Division and NSIC overall championship in 2011.   In his third season as head coach in 2010, Underwood led SCSU to 10 victories and its first NCAA playoff appearance in six seasons. SCSU won its first-round playoff game before losing to the eventual national champion in overtime in the second round. SCSU captured a share of both the NSIC North Division and NSIC overall championship in 2011 and advanced to the NCAA playoffs. SCSU set a team record in 2013 by winning 12 games and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs before losing to the eventual national champions. SCSU was ranked No. 5 in the final national polls and broke a team record with 24 pass interceptions.   Prior to taking over as head coach at SCSU, Underwood served as defensive coordinator for the Huskies (2001-07). Led by Underwood, the SCSU defense ranked among the best in the North Central Conference in the last seven seasons of the league. SCSU won a share of the NCC title in 2002 and hosted a first round NCAA playoff game in 2004.   Underwood has achieved tremendous success at each of his previous assistant coaching stops. He was the inside linebackers coach at the University of North Dakota for four seasons (1997-2000), helping lead UND to a pair of NCAA playoff appearances.   Underwood served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Sioux Falls for four seasons (1993-96), assisting the Cougars to three conference championships and three NAIA playoff appearances, including the 1996 NAIA Division II National Championship.   Underwood began his coaching career at his alma mater, Augustana University, where he spent five seasons as the defensive secondary coach (1988-92). The Vikings made back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances in 1988 and 1989 and won eight games three different times.   Underwood was a four-year letter winner as a defensive back for the Vikings while earning a degree in social sciences. He earned his master’s degree from the University of South Dakota.   Scott and his wife, Tamara, have two children, Casey and Brady.   Underwood’s Coaching Career 2022-present – Southwest Minnesota State University (Head Coach) 2008-19 – St. Cloud State University (Head Coach) 2001-07 – St. Cloud State University (Defensive Coordinator) 1997-2000 – University of North Dakota (Linebackers) 1993-96 – University of Sioux Falls (Defensive Coordinator) 1988-92 – Augustana University (Defensive Secondary/Special Teams)  

Levi Bullerman is in his ninth season as an assistant coach for the Mustang program in 2026 and fifth season as defensive coordinator. He also coaches the team's linebackers.   The SMSU defense the past four seasons has put together some of the program's best numbers over the previous 20 years. The rushing defense allowed less than 170 yards per game in three of the past four seasons, while the defense allowed less than 390 yards per game during that same stretch, ranking as the best run for the program since 2005.  Bullerman has coached four All-NSIC linebackers, including Onte Burns, who was named an All-American in 2019. Burns, a three-time All-NSIC South first team honoree, led the NSIC in tackles in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Bullerman also coached defensive back Parker Knutson, a two-time first team All-NSIC honoree and 2025 All-American, along with linebacker Josiah Hedensten, who earned All-NSIC accolades for three straight seasons.  In 2022, the SMSU defense allowed 384 yards per game, which is the second lowest total for the program since the 2009 season. The Mustang pass defense held opponents to 212 yards per game in 2022, which ranked as the second lowest output since 2012.   In 2018, Shane Ratkovich set a school record with 21.5 tackles for loss and ranked third in the league in tackles in earning All-NSIC South honorable mention honors, while Alex Ney was an All-NSIC South second team honoree ranking ninth in the conference in tackles. During the 2023 season, Josiah Hedensten was named All-NSIC second team after finishing fourth in the league in tackles, while in 2024 Parker Knutson earned All-NSIC first team honors, while Hedensten was named All-NSIC second team for the second straight season. Following the 2025 season, both Knutson and Hedensten earned All-NSIC first team honors with Knutson earning All-American honors from D2football.com, Don Hansen and Walter Camp.  Bullerman came to SMSU after serving five seasons (2013-17) as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Bullerman served in various roles as assistant at UMC, including as the program’s defensive coordinator during the 2017 season. Bullerman, who also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator for four seasons, coached special teams, defensive line and linebackers during his tenure at UMC.   Bullerman family, 2025 Bullerman began his coaching career at Illinois College in 2010 as defensive line coach. He coached a pair of all-conference lineman and helped a defense rank among the Top 10 in Division III in turnovers. In 2011, Bullerman became the linebackers and special teams coach at Presentation College (S.D). Presentation, which had its first collegiate football season in 2011, won six games in two seasons with Bullerman on staff. Presentation ranked in the Top 15 among Division III team in fumble recoveries in 2012. Bullerman spent five seasons as a student-athlete with the SMSU football program from 2005-09. A 2010 graduate of SMSU with a degree in sports management, Bullerman was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter at linebacker for the Mustangs. A 2009 team captain, he never missed a game in his career and recorded 154 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions in 44 games. Bullerman completed his master’s degree in education-coaching from Greenville University (Ill.). Levi and his wife, Alarie, have three children, son Levi Jr., and daughters, Lyla and Lillian.    

Charles Alexander is in his fourth season on the Mustang coaching staff in 2026 and coaches defensive line.   Alexander came to SMSU after spending the 2022 season as the defensive line coach at Division II Midwestern State University (Texas). Prior to his time at MSU, Alexander spent the 2021 season as defensive line coach at Bemidji State University. BSU recorded 10 victories and advanced to the 2021 NCAA playoffs. BSU finished 31st nationally and third in the NSIC in sacks and ranked first in tackles for loss.   Alexander served as the defensive line coach and travel coordinator at the University of Jamestown from 2017-21 and was a volunteer assistant coach (defensive line) during the 2016 season. He coached three all-conference honorees on the defensive line.   Alexander was a member of the University of Arkansas football program for three seasons (2006-08).   Alexander earned a bachelor’s degree in both criminal justice and political science from MSU Moorhead in 2017.  

Zac Cunha is in his fourth season as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the SMSU football program in 2026. In 2025, SMSU senior wide receiver Colin Maher earned All-NSIC second team honors after ranking sixth in the NSIC in receiving yards and ninth in reception.    Cunha came to SMSU after spending two seasons as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Briar Cliff University. During his tenure at BCU, a total of five Charger players were named all-conference.   Cunha is no stranger to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference as he played quarterback and was an assistant coach at Minot State University. He was a member of the Beaver football program for six seasons, playing in 46 games and passing for 8,222 yards with 52 touchdowns.   He played all but two games his first three seasons before suffering a season-ending injury in the 2015 season opener before having his 2016 season cut short due to injury after just two games. Cunha returned for a sixth-season in 2017, playing in all 11 games and closed his career as the program’s all-time leader in pass attempts, pass completions and passing yards, while ranking second all-time in career touchdown passes. He was named MSU’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2017-18.   Cunha began his coaching career in 2018 serving as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Roseville High School in Roseville, Calif. He returned to MSU in 2019 and spent two seasons serving as an offensive analyst along with coaching running backs.   Cunha, who earned his bachelor's degree in education from MSU and also earned his master's degree from MSU in sports management, has experience as a professional player with the Marburg Mercenaries in the German Football League and in The Spring League. Zac and his wife, Tarah, live in Marshall with son, Hugo. 

Paddy Devlin is in his fifth season as an assistant coach in 2026 and will coach SMSU's wide receivers. In 2025, SMSU senior wide receiver Colin Maher earned All-NSIC second team honors after ranking sixth in the NSIC in receiving yards and ninth in reception.  Devlin was a four-year member of the SMSU football team from 2018-21 after transferring from South Dakota State. He caught 18 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown during his senior season in 2021. He is pursuing his degree in education from SMSU.

Brady Underwood enters his third season as an assistant coach at SMSU in 2026 and will coach cornerbacks.   Underwood completed a three-year playing career at Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2023 registering 37 tackles. He finished his career recording four interceptions and racking up 81 tackles for the Blugolds.   Underwood spent two seasons at St. Cloud State before transferring to UWEC.   Underwood is a 2023 graduate of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in elementary education with a minor in social studies. He is pursuing his master's at SMSU.  

Rory Humphrey is in his second season on the SMSU staff in 2026 and will coach the program's running backs. Humphrey came to SMSU after spending three seasons as running backs coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He has also been an assistant coach for the Filton Pride (2019-22) and Bristol Apache (2021-22) in Bristol, United Kingdom. He also served a remote analyst for the University of Akron (2020-21).  Humphrey earned a degree in sports conditioning and exercise from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, while earning his master's degree from UW-Oshkosh in educational leadership and policy & graduate certificate in athletic leadership and sports management.  

Lucas Mitchell is in his second season as an assistant coach in 2026 and will coach the team’s tight ends.   Mitchell came to SMSU after spending two seasons (2023-24) as a defensive assistant coach at the University of Iowa.   Mitchell played two seasons at Ellsworth Community College where he was a team captain and earned all-conference and all-region accolades.   Mitchell earned his bachelor’s degree in sports studies from the University of Iowa in 2025.  

Carter Schmitz, a five-year member of the SMSU football program, begins his second season on the coaching staff in 2026 and will coach the linebackers. Schmitz, a 2025 graduate of SMSU, recorded 82 tackles with 2.5 sacks in his career.

Doug Patterson is in his fifth season as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the SMSU football program in 2026.     Patterson has been an assistant coach for more than 30 years at various levels, including FCS, Division II, NAIA and high school.   During his first season at SMSU, the Mustang rushing offense averaged 173 yards per game and scored 18 touchdowns in 2022, the highest totals in both categories since the 2016 season. Running back Jesse Sherwood led the NSIC in rushing yards per game (135) and was named All-NSIC South first team and CCA All-Region second team. Patterson also coached guard Dylan Lauer, who earned All-NSIC South first team accolades. In 2023, running back Donald Austin ranked fourth in the NSIC in rushing while earning All-NSIC second team honors, while in 2025 offensive lineman Tyler Nebelung and wide receiver Colin Maher were both named All-NSIC second team.   Patterson came to SMSU after serving as offensive line coach for two seasons (2020-21) at Western Illinois University.   Prior to WIU, Patterson spent 13 seasons as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at St. Cloud State University (2007-19). He helped the Huskies to three NCAA playoff appearances (2010, 2011, 2013) and coached 31 offensive linemen to All-NSIC honors.   SCSU established school records in total points scored, total touchdowns scored, pass efficiency, pass completions, yards per pass, total offensive yards, and total offensive yards per game during his tenure.   Prior to SCSU, Patterson spent seven seasons (2000-06) as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Minot State University. Patterson, who coached three NAIA first team All-Americans, helped the Beavers captured the 2002 Dakota Athletic Conference championship and advance to the NAIA playoffs. The 2002 team set three school and three conference records.   Patterson began his collegiate coaching career at SCSU in 1999 spending two seasons (1999-2000) as an offensive assistant/tight ends coach.      Before joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Patterson was the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Bishop Ryan High School in Minot, N.D., for seven seasons (1992-98). The team made the state tournament in each of his seven seasons on staff with a pair of Class 2A state championships.   Patterson earned his bachelor's from Minot State University, where he was a four-year letter winner and two-year starter on the offensive line from 1988-91.   Doug, his wife Kristi, and have three children, Kade, Camden, and Keegan.