University of Puget Sound Men's Football

Jeff Thomas is entering his 17th season as the head coach for Puget Sound Football in 2026. Thomas has established a culture of excellence at Puget Sound that prioritizes both competitive success and academic achievement. Since taking the helm in 2010, Thomas has built a program that consistently develops scholar-athletes who lead the Northwest Conference on the field and in the classroom. While the Loggers faced a tough 2025 season, the campaign was defined by historic, national achievements and an elite passing offense. Under Thomas' guidance, quarterback Hayden Teeter led the entire nation in passing yards per game (379.4) and shattered the NCAA Division III single game record with 86 pass attempts, with a record-breaking 26 completions in a single quarter. The attack was fueled by receivers that swept the top three individual statistical spots in the Northwest Conference, including Joe Gallagher breaking the program record for career receptions. The season finished with six players on the All-NWC list and Teeter securing a spot on the CSC Academic All-District Team, setting a high statistical benchmark for the program moving forward.  A hallmark of Thomas’ tenure has been his ability to recruit and develop top-tier student-athletes with a commitment to holistic success. That vision was embodied by Max Mirande '15, who earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, one of the association’s highest academic honors, after a distinguished career as a four year starter at Linebacker. The Loggers continue to attract individuals who are prepared to excel in both rigorous academic settings and high-level athletic competition. Under Thomas’ leadership, the Loggers have set multiple school and conference records while routinely producing Academic All-District honorees and All-NWC selections. In 2023, Puget Sound made national headlines as Lilly Godwin became the first female to record a solo tackle in NCAA history. That same season, wide receiver Izaiah Jerenz broke the school's all-time receiving record and led all of NCAA Division III in receptions. His legacy was short-lived, however, as Joe Gallagher surpassed Jerenz's marks in 2024 and led the nation in receptions per game. Quarterback Mason Binning '25 also finished second in the country in total completions, further showcasing Puget Sound’s offensive identity. The 2022 season featured one of the most balanced offensive attacks in program history. Running back Silas Washington repeated as the NWC’s rushing leader, while Jerenz and Gallagher each recorded over 60 receptions—both ranking in the top three in the conference. The trio was among seven Loggers to earn All-NWC honors that year. Thomas’ offenses have been a consistent threat since his arrival. The 2018 team shattered program records for passing touchdowns (40), pass completions (321), passing yards per game (381.1), and total points (350). That same year, wide receiver AJ Johnson set the school’s single-season receiving yards record (1,096) and earned All-West Region recognition from D3football.com, along with teammate Jewell Day. Day also earned Academic All-District honors from CoSIDA, reinforcing the dual commitment to athletic and academic excellence. Earlier in his tenure, Thomas guided the Loggers to a 6-3 record in 2015, tied for the most conference wins in program history. He also led the team to its first home victory over Pacific Lutheran since 1978. His quarterbacks have consistently rewritten the record book, with Hans Fortune (2016) setting single-season marks for passing yards and total offense (since bested by Murdock Rutledge '22). Thomas began his coaching career at the University of Redlands, where he served in various roles from 2003–2009, including special teams coordinator, offensive coordinator, and position coach on both sides of the ball. He was named the American Football Coaches Association's Assistant Coach of the Year in 2009. As a player, Thomas was a four-year letter-winner and senior captain at Redlands, beginning his career as a quarterback before becoming one of the most decorated defensive backs in school history. He helped lead the Bulldogs to the NCAA playoffs in 2002 and was selected to represent the United States in the Aztec Bowl that same year. Thomas holds a bachelor's degree in Government and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Redlands. He was recognized as a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree as a senior, exemplifying the student-athlete model he now fosters at Puget Sound.

David Carskie was appointed the Offensive Coordinator prior to the 2023 season. In the 2024 season the offense saw great success finishing as the #8 passing team in the country, with a recording breaking year for Joe Gallagher who set the school record for receptions in a season (133) and receiving yards in a season (1323). In 2023 the Logger offense finished the season ranked nationally in both passing yards (11th) and time of possession (2nd). The offense was highlighted by a stellar year from Izaiah Jerenz ‘23 who finished the season ranked 3rd in receiving yards per game and 1st in receptions nationally. Prior to being promoted to Offensive Coordinator, Carskie served as the Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator. 2021 and 2022 saw two of the most effective rushing attacks for the Loggers in recent memory. Both years, running back Silas Washington led the conference in rushing yards and in 2021 he broke the single game school record for rushing yards (318). Carskie began his career at UPS in 2017 where he would serve as Tight Ends Coach for 2 years before his promotion to Offensive Line Coach. Before joining the Loggers, Carskie was a student assistant and then Offensive Intern for the University of Colorado in 2015 and 2016. The 2016 Buffs would win the Pac-12 South and play in the Alamo Bowl. Carskie got his start in coaching at Monarch High School in Louisville, Colorado as the defensive backs coach. In his 3 years at Monarch they won 1 state championship and had another year end in the semifinals.   

Jeff Schmidt is in his eighth year with the Loggers, and his second year as a full-time Recruiting Coordinator / Special Teams Coordinator. He has coached linebackers for the Loggers for the previous seven years and will be coaching defensive ends and edges for the upcoming 2024 season. Before joining the Loggers - Coach Schmidt was a high school coach from 1995-2016. While serving as either Defensive Coordinator or Head Coach, led four different teams to the playoffs. Coach Schmidt also served as a United States Marine from 1987-1991. NOTABLES 2013 Seattle Star Times HCOY 2 - HS State Championships (Defensive Coordinator) 5 - Total HS State Championship Appearances (Defensive Coordinator) 11 - Total HS Semi-Final Appearances (Defensive Coordinator) 20 out of 22 years have helped HS teams participate in the playoffs