Stetson University Men's Football

On December 20, 2024 Stetson University announced Mike Jasper as the third Hatters' head football coach of the program's modern era and the 11th in program history.   Jasper, who spent three seasons as an offensive lineman in the National Football League, posted a record of 44-20 in six seasons as the head football coach at his alma mater, Bethel (TN) University.   "I am thrilled that Mike Jasper has agreed to lead our football program," said Ricky Ray, Director of Athletics. "He is a tremendous leader who has experienced high levels of success in both his playing and coaching career. We are excited to welcome Mike and his family to DeLand and cannot wait to see him chase greatness at Stetson."   "I am honored to join the Hatter family. The energy and passion I felt from President Roellke and Ricky was next level. That energy was evident in everyone I came in contact with throughout this process. There is something special happening at Stetson and I am blessed to be a part of it. The young men in this program are getting a leader that is committed to their growth as a person off the field, just as much as on it. I am ready to get to work rebuilding the foundation and chasing greatness with my guys."   Jasper is the most recent NAIA player drafted by the NFL, selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 2011 draft. He also spent time with the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.   As a head coach, Jasper led Bethel to consecutive 11-win seasons in 2022 and 2023. Jasper was named Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year and NAIA Region I Coach of the Year in 2022 after guiding the Wildcats to a conference title, the program's first 11-0 regular season and a top five national ranking.   In 2023, Bethel qualified for the NAIA playoffs and recorded an 11-2 mark.  The 2024 Wildcats finished with a 7-3 record.   Before becoming head coach at Bethel, Jasper served as assistant head coach and defensive line coach. He also served as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator and oversaw the strength and conditioning program.   Jasper began his playing career at UT Martin and was a starter on their 2006 Ohio Valley Conference championship team. After redshirting at Middle Tennessee State, Jasper transferred to Bethel and was an offensive and defensive lineman from 2008 to 2010.   He graduated from Bethel with a bachelor's degree and a master's in business administration (MBA). Mike will be joined in DeLand by his wife Allison, their children Davis Reid, Millie Claire and Samuel David, and rescue dog Caine. What are they saying: "Mike has been a rising star in the profession and I'm excited to see him take over this program!" Charles Huff - Head Coach - Southern Mississippi "Coach Jasper is a great coach and a proven winner! Stetson made a big time hire!" Jordan Hankins- Defensive Coordinator- Memphis "Mike Jasper is a good coach and a better human being. Stetson got a guy that will pour his heart and soul into that community. He knows how to develop strong relationships with his players and his community. Great Hire!" Jonathon Wallace- Running Backs Coach - Kansas "Coach Jasper is an excellent hire for Stetson University. He is an elite recruiter / coach that will have his team prepared to perform at the highest level week in and week out. He knows how to develop talent on the field and build the person off the field. His players will gain the tools to excel in every walk of life under his leadership. I'm excited to watch his team play in 2025!" Cameron Clemmons- Assistant Offensive Line Coach - San Francisco 49ers "Mike is a high-level evaluator whose attention to detail has allowed him consistent opportunity to find overlooked players. He has a natural knack for utilizing his players based on their individual skill sets. He consistently has shown the ability to both recruit and develop." Najja Johnson - Southeast Area Scout - Houston Texans

Jarod Dodson enters his first season with the Hatters and his 27th season coaching college football. He will serve as the Offensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach, while working directly with the quarterbacks. Twice named a national finalist for AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, he's held positions in all levels of NCAA football while also serving at the NAIA level. Most recently, Dodson coached the wide receivers at Pioneer League foe St. Thomas. Before joining the Tommies, Dodson coached at the University at Buffalo in 2017 and 2018. Dodson was the head coach at Alfred State from 2015-2017, leading the program through its transition into NCAA Division III. Dodson has also coached at South Dakota Mines, Old Dominion, South Dakota, and Michigan Tech. While coaching at South Dakota. his alma mater, Dodson was a finalist in both 2007 and 2008 for the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year.  During his USD playing career, Dodson was a standout defensive back. He and his wife Shannon have four daughters (Mariah, LaRae, JaeLynn, Kendyl) along with one grandson (Kaiden).    

Sophia Lewin enters their first season with Stetson Football in the fall of 2025, taking on the role of wide receivers coach. Lewin brings a dynamic and diverse background in both collegiate and professional football to the Hatters' staff. Most recently, they held the same position at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, helping guide the program through two competitive seasons. In 2025, Lewin was selected for the prestigious Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Chicago Bears, working with the tight ends. That marked their second NFL fellowship experience, having also participated with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. From 2023 to 2025, Lewin coached tight ends and special teams at the Tropical Bowl, continuing to expand their impact at the national level. Prior to Kutztown, Lewin served in multiple roles at the FCS level with Princeton University—first as a quality control coach in 2020–21, then as the senior assistant to the head coach in 2022. Between those stints, they worked as an offensive assistant with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills during the 2021 season. Lewin's coaching career began early at Wayne Hills High School in New Jersey before moving on to a three-year student assistant role at Monmouth University, where they worked under then-wide receivers coach TJ DiMuzio. Lewin earned a degree in sociology from Monmouth in 2019.

Coach Dustin Kincaid enters his first season on the Stetson football staff in 2025-26, serving as the Defensive Coordinator. Kincaid helped the Wildcats to a 7-3 regular-season record. Kincaid's special teams were again atop the NAIA in efficiency and had a top-5 punt unit in average (45 yards per punt), led by All-American punter in both NAIA and AP, Brayden Johnson. The punt return unit was top 5 in return average (14.3 yards per return). The Wildcat defense finished the regular season ranked in the top 10 in the nation for multiple categories, including scoring defense (13 points per game) and total defense (264 yards per game). Other categories were top 20, including rush defense (99 yards per game) and pass defense (165 yards per game). Coach Kincaid coached the linebackers, led by all-conference linebackers Brody Franks and Darrien Lewis. In 2023, Bethel went 10-1 in the regular season and went the farthest in the playoffs in Bethel history. Coach Kincaid led the Wildcats’ special teams to a top-10 ranking in efficiency in all four units. They were top 10 in punt return average (15 yards per return) and punt return TDs (3). Coach Kincaid's special teams units were led by all-conference kicker Andrew Welch and returner Demetrice Gilbert. The Wildcat defense finished the regular season ranked among the top 5 in the nation in multiple categories, including scoring defense (12.6 points per game), pass defense (141 yards per game), total defense (219 yards per game), sacks (37), defensive takeaways (30), and interceptions (20), and they were top 10 in rush defense (78 yards per game). Coach Kincaid coached the linebackers, led by all-conference linebackers Darian Burns and Darrien Lewis. In 2022, Bethel went 11-0 in the regular season, won the Mid-South Conference championship, and made a playoff appearance. The Wildcat defense finished the regular season ranked among the top 10 in the nation in multiple categories, including scoring defense (12.3 points per game), pass defense (152.2 yards per game), defensive takeaways (25), interceptions (16), and third-down defense, while finishing in the top 25 in many other categories. The Wildcats held top-10 opponents on the road to an average of 12.6 points per game. Coach Kincaid coached the linebackers, led by all-conference linebacker Jakobe Griffin, who broke multiple records at Bethel. Bethel went 7-4 in 2021, finishing 4-3 in the Mid-South Conference and 2-1 against opponents ranked in the top eight in the country. The Wildcats led the conference in total pass defense and pass defense efficiency. The Wildcat defense finished top 10 in the nation in third-down defense and defensive takeaways. In 2019, Bethel was 5-5. The Wildcat defense finished fifth in the nation in defensive takeaways with 27. Kincaid helped Bethel capture the Mid-South Conference, Bluegrass Division championship in 2018 while going 10-0 during the regular season. Kincaid assisted the secondary that led the division with 18 interceptions and aided Bethel's 10th-ranked pass defense efficiency in the nation. The Wildcats finished first in the nation in defensive takeaways with 37. The Wildcats ranked 29th in total and scoring defense. Kincaid got his coaching start in 2016 at Bethel University, where he oversaw the linebackers for two seasons. He coached two All-Conference linebackers, Jeremy Beaulieu and Anthony Patrick. Kincaid played at Bethel University, where he was a four-year letterman and played linebacker. Kincaid graduated from Bethel in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in math and earned a master's degree in teaching excellence (special education) from Bethel University in 2017. Kincaid is a native of Bartow, Fla., and resides in Haines City with his wife, Sarah, and son, Tobias.

Florida native Atif Austin joins the Hatters staff for a second time, after coaching at both the FBS and FCS level, as well as in the NFL.  Austin returns to Stetson after a four year stint at Northern Iowa. It was Austin's second time coaching at UNI, as he served as running backs coach from 2005-10. The Panthers made three FCS Playoff appearances during his first stint in Cedar Falls.  Previous to returning to UNI, Austin coached at Northern Illinois. He worked with the NIU running backs, and served as special teams coordinator. Prior to NIU, he spent the 2018 season as an assistant running backs coach with the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. The Patriots ranked fifth in the National Football League in rushing.   Prior to his year in the NFL, spent four seasons (2014-18) with North Dakota State, coaching the Bison wide receivers and served as special teams coordinator. During his four-year tenure in Fargo, the Bison made four FCS Playoff appearances, won three National Championships and four Missouri Valley Football Conference titles.  Austin began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Southwest Minnesota State (2003-04) and was the running backs coach at Stetson in 2013.   A four-year starter at defensive back for Iowa State (1999-2002), Iowa State played in three bowl games during his playing career. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Iowa State in 2002 and his master’s in leadership & education from Southwest Minnesota State in 2005. Austin, a native of Tarpon Springs, Florida, and his wife Tori, have three children; Djoni, Amni and A.J.  

Kyle Wallace joins the Hatters after spending the 2024 season at Jacksonville State. Previously, he served on Mike Jasper’s staff at Bethel for two seasons. Wallace, a Chicago native, also served at Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he coached the defensive backs during the 2022 season and at SUNY Cortland where he coached the cornerbacks for the 2021 season. Wallace played at Bethel, and was part of the 2018 Mid-South Conference championship team. He began his playing career at Austin Peay. Wallace earned his bachelor's degree in fitness and wellness promotion from Bethel in 2019 and his master's degree in sport management at SUNY Cortland in 2022.  

Herman Smith, who brings over 25 years of coaching experience and NFL playing experience to the Hatters, joins Stetson after spending seven seasons at Colorado Pueblo. Smith began his tenure with CSU Pueblo in 2017 and coached the defensive line for seven seasons. Smith totaled 11 seasons playing professional football, spending time in National Football League, the Canadian Football League, and NFL Europe. Smith's NFL playing stops included the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. He played in the CFL with the British Columbia Lions and played for the London Monarchs in NFL Europe. Smith was a three-time CFL all-star, named the CFL Defensive Player of the Year runner-up in 1999, before winning the award in 2000 while leading the Lions to the Grey Cup.   He began his coaching career at the high school level in 2008 in Las Vegas before entering the collegiate ranks at Victor Valley College in 2013. Smith also coached at Oklahoma Baptist. Smith played college football at Portland State before beginning his professional career.

Lakeland native TJ Denson returns to the Sunshine State, joining the Hatters football staff in 2025 after completing two seasons at UNC Pembroke.   Denson has additional coaching stops at Franklin Pierce, Tarleton State and Midland.   Denson made a significant impact on the defensive effort for Franklin Pierce across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He spent the 2020 season as a graduate assistant defensive backs and special teams coach at Tarleton State. He also completed a 2-year stint (2017-18) as the defensive backs and assistant special teams coach at Midland in NAIA.     Denson also has a pair of coaching stints at the prep level, including his first at Lake Gibson (Fla.) High School where he mentored a pair of NCAA Division I signees. He served two stints (2016 & 2019) at his alma mater, Lakeland (Fla.) Senior High School, and fostered the progression of five NCAA Division I signees, including Pitt standout and Denver Broncos draftee Damarri Mathis.   An all-state selection at Lakeland, Denson played his first three collegiate seasons at Murray State. He played his senior season at Concordia-St. Paul.   Denson earned his bachelor’s degree in integrated studies health and physical education from Murray State University in 2014, and completed his master’s degree in kinesiology at Tarleton State University in 2022.  

Chace Gadapee joins the Hatters after spending last season at Pioneer League foe St. Thomas coaching tight ends. Gadapee is from Titusville, Florida and graduated from Astronaut High School in 2018. In 2023, Gadapee helped Central Missouri to conference championship, including a NCAA Division II  playoff win. The Mules went 11-2, while the tight ends contributed to the nation’s top ranked total offense across all divisions.  Prior to that, Gadapee served as the tight end coach at Bethel University (MN) during the 2022 season.  Gadapee played quarterback at Bethel, leading them to three NCAA playoff appearances. Gadapee graduated from Bethel University (MN) with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Communication, Arts and Literature.