Western Colorado University Men's Football

Jas Bains enters his 13th season at the helm of the Western Colorado football team in 2023, the second-longest consecutive tenure in the program's history. In 2022, Bains led the Mountaineers to a 7-4 overall record and a 7-2 RMAC record. The strong regular-season record earned the team a third place ranking inside the conference and nine players receiving All-RMAC recognition.  In 2021, Bains led the Mountaineers to a 10-1 overall record, 8-1 RMAC, and their first RMAC championship since 1998. That dominant regular-season performance from the Mountaineers resulted in the team earning its first playoff appearance since 1997. The American Football Coaches Association named Bains as the 2021 AFCA D-II Region 5 Coach of the Year. Bains was also the 2021 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Coach of the Year. Additionally, 20 players received All-RMAC recognition. Due to COVID-19, the Mountaineers were limited to just one game in 2020 - a loss to NCAA Division I FCS Stephen F. Austin in Texas. In 2019, the Mountaineers went 5-5 in RMAC play under Bains (5-6 overall). This included a win at Colorado Mesa for the first time since 2001, the team's first win at home and second overall against Chadron State since 1997 and the team's first shutout since 2016 in a 31-0 win at home over Fort Lewis. In 2016, Western recorded seven wins, the most wins for the program since 1998, and finished the season fourth in the conference standings, just one win behind three teams tied for first place. Bains’ defense ranked top-10 in Division II for scoring defense and red zone defense. Offensively, Bains helped coach the first Harlon Hill Trophy finalist in Western history in running back Austin Ekeler. Ekeler signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Chargers of the NFL, and after three successful seasons - including 1,550 combined rushing and receiving yards and 11 combined touchdowns in 2019 - signed a four-year, $24.5 million deal in 2020 with the Chargers. Bains’ first few seasons at Western were known for his overpowering defense. However, in 2015, the Mountaineer offense was a juggernaut finishing in the top 15 of all Division II teams in total offense. Western’s four wins in conference were the most RMAC victories in 12 seasons.  In 2012, the Mountaineer defense led the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in rush defense and ranked 16th in all of NCAA Division II, allowing only 1,139 yards. The Mountaineer defense followed that with another impressive defensive showing in 2013, again leading the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in rush defense allowing 1,358 yards on the ground. In 2014, Bains led the Mountaineers to their highest win total since 2003 and the first Colorado Classic win over Adams State University in 12 seasons. Bains’ squad also produced 44 academic awards including the RMAC Academic Player of the Year, a CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-America selection for the first time since 1988, and the Brechler Award for the RMAC team with the highest GPA.   After a season as defensive and special teams coordinator for the Mountaineer football program in 2010, Bains began his first season as Head Coach during the 2011 season.   While Head Coach, Bains has spearheaded community engagement projects with the Gunnison County Partners Organization, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Gunnison County youth. The Mountaineers also hosted a free kids clinic in the spring of 2011 and will established Mountaineer Buddies,  a mentoring program with the Gunnison Community Schools.   Bains coached the top kick-blocking team in the RMAC in 2010 and one of the top kick-blocking teams in Division II. His defense was also ranked among the top half of the conference in interception return average and opponent fourth-down conversion.   Bains spent five seasons as a member of the coaching staff at Chadron State, with the final three as special teams coordinator and defensive secondary coach. He was part of a defensive staff that led the RMAC in total defense, passing defense and opponent first downs. He coached a punter and kicker to All-America honors as the special teams coordinator and tallied 30 blocked kicks in his five seasons. His punt and kickoff returners were consistently ranked among the top five in the nation.   Bains graduated from Fresno State in 2004 where he helped lead the Bulldogs to three bowl victories as a defensive back and special teams player against Georgia Tech, UCLA and Virginia. He transferred to Fresno State from Willamette University, where he started at safety as a true freshman.   A native of Fresno, Calif., Bains was the Clovis High School Athlete of the Year in 1999-2000. He was a two-time all-conference safety, a member of state tournament wrestling teams and was a member of the baseball team.   Bains is often a featured speaker at conventions, workshops and clinics on the role of defense and special teams. He is also a talented and respected recruiter in the state of California, as evidenced by the significant increase of West Coast athletes on the Western roster.   Bains was a member of the Chadron State College staff as a graduate assistant before becoming a member of the full-time staff in early 2007. He earned his master’s degree from Chadron State in December 2006. Bains lives with his wife Sukhi and son Anik in Gunnison.

Todd Auer begins his eighth season as defensive coordinator for the Mountaineers in 2023. Auer brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to the Western football program. In his first season at Western, Auer turned the Mountaineer defense into one of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's best. Western led the conference in scoring defense, holding opponents to 16.7 points per game. That figure was also good for ninth best in Division II. The defense was also Division II's fourth best team in red zone defense. Auer's defense in 2016 recorded the first shutout in 13 years for the Mountaineers, defeating Black Hills State University 27-0. Western turned around and earned another shutout victory against New Mexico Highlands, 58-0, the following game. In 2019, the team recorded its third shutout under Auer - beating Fort Lewis 31-0.    Auer made his way to Western after spending two seasons as the inside linebackers coach at Division I Southern Illinois University. With the Salukis, Auer coached the team's leading tackler to an all-conference recognition and had two linebackers ranked in the conference's top-five for tackles per game.   A familiar face to the RMAC, Auer spent two years at Colorado Mesa University as the defensive coordinator prior to SIU, and 23 years at Chadron State College before that. During his time at Chadron State, Auer spent 17 of those seasons as defensive coordinator. Auer's Eagles had the top defense in the RMAC in 13 of his seasons as defensive coordinator. Prior to being named defensive coordinator, Auer served as Chadron State's offensive line coach, as well as strength and conditioning coach/travel coordinator from 1990-1993. During his tenure as defensive coordinator at Chadron State, the Eagles posted a 153-48 overall record and won eight RMAC titles. CSC was ranked in the final Division II national top 10 poll five times. He was a finalist for the 2008 Division II Coordinator of the Year, and in 2010 the Eagles ranked No. 4 in the country in total defense. Auer began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Western Illinois in 1989. He was also a four-year letterwinner at Western Illinois where he holds the school record with 28 career sacks. A native of Wisconsin, Auer played linebacker for the Green Bay Packers for three games in 1987. He and his wife, Kim, have three daughters and one son - Alyssa, Brayden, Aspen and Cole.

Joe McLain enters his fifth season as the quarterbacks and passing game coordinator for the Mountaineers in 2023. Fans of Mountaineer football might remember McLain from his playing days at Chadron State. McLain was an all-conference quarterback for the Eagles and was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2008. McLain was also named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Offensive Player of the Year and RMAC All-Academic Player of the Year that same season.   During McLain's time at Chadron, the Eagles were three-time undefeated conference champions and made three national playoff appearances.   Most recently, McLain spent the 2018 season at Division III's Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, as the offensive coordinator. At BVU, McLain coached receivers and recruited areas in Iowa, Texas and Nebraska.   From 2012-15, McLain coached wide receivers, recruited the Denver, Colorado, region, and was NFL scout liaison at Chadron State.   In 2009, McLain helped coach quarterbacks at Douglas High School in Douglas, Wyoming. That year, the team won a state title.   Following his stint at Douglas High, McLain spent two years as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Chadron High School in Chadron, Nebraska. McLain graduated from Chadron in 2010 with a degree in mathematics education and received his coaching endorsement. He earned a graduate degree in organizational management with an emphasis in sports management from Chadron State in 2012. He lives in Gunnison with wife Taren and son Jordan.

Roy joined the Western Colorado staff in January 2025 following six seasons at Northern State (S.D.) University where he served as the O-line coach and the offensive run game coordinator. He coached five Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference lineman while at NSU. This past season the Wolves averaged 4.6 yards per rush and 167.3 rushing yards per game, while the line allowed just 16 sacks over 11 games. Roy was the program’s travel coordinator from 2022-24, after serving as the camp coordinator from 2019-21. Prior to his time at Northern State, Roy served in the same capacities, in addition to developing and leading the strength and conditioning program, are Rocky Mountain (Mont.) College from July 2016 to December 2018. RMC was the Frontier Conference champion in Roy’s final season with the Battlin’ Bears, leading the conference in points per game, total yards, and scoring. He coached one NAIA All-American and eight all-conference lineman while at RMC. Roy graduated from Southern Oregon University in June 2012 with a bachelor's degree in health & physical education.     

Jeff Williamson begins his 31th season as an assistant coach for the Mountaineers in 2022. As running backs coach, Williamson coached Austin Ekeler to the all-time career rushing record at Western in 2015 as a junior. As a senior in 2016, Ekeler was named the first Harlon Hill Trophy finalist in program history as the best college football player at the Division II level. Ekeler also led Division II in rushing yards per game at 149.5 in 2016. He signed a free-agent contract with the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers after his senior season and in 2020 after a breakout season that saw him total a combined 1,550 yards and 11 touchdown rushing and receiving, Ekeler signed a four-year, $24.5-million deal. In 2014, Williamson helped coach Western’s running backs to the top rushing average per game in the conference. Running back Austin Ekeler set numerous records including Western’s single season rushing record with 1,676 yards. In 2013, helped Austin Ekeler get named to the Don Hansen All-Super Region IV Offensive first team. Ekeler was also named RMAC Freshman of the Year while rushing for 1,049 yards. In 2012, helped Germaine Daniels run for 1,035 yards and earn RMAC third team All-Conference. Williamson played at Western from 1980-84 as a running back under Hall of Fame Coach Bill Nixon. Born and raised in New Jersey, Williamson became a Gunnison resident in 1986 and now also works for the Sherriff’s Department.

Van Groll enters his second season as the defensive line coach at Western State Colorado University in 2016. He began his duties on Feb. 23, 2015. Prior to Western, Van Groll spent three seasons at Northern Illinois, serving the previous two years as a defensive line graduate assistant coach following one season as a volunteer assistant.   While with the Huskies, Van Groll helped Northern Illinois claim two Mid-American Athletic Conference (MAC) titles (2012, 2014) and advance to three-straight bowl games including the 2013 Orange Bowl. Van Groll also coached a seventh round draft pick in Ken Bishop while at Northern Illinois.   Working as a graduate assistant, Van Groll served as the junior college recruiting liaison and was an out of area recruiter for the defense. He also ran position meetings, individual drills and scout team offense while assisting in game breakdowns and scouting reports.   As a volunteer assistant, Van Groll assisted in the equipment room at Northern Illinois, helping prepare the locker room for the teams arrival, setting up drills for positions groups at practice and helping in the video breakdown for the defense.   Prior to Northern Illinois, Van Groll served as a student assistant coach at Ripon College (Wis.) for three years where he ran the scout team offense, assisted in recruiting and served as an assistant to the defensive line coach. While working with the Red Hawks, he also helped in film breakdown, scout cards and formations and game planning.   A native of Maribel, Wisconsin, Van Groll received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science Sports Management with an emphasis in Education from Ripon College in May 2012. He is currently pursuing a masters in Adult and Higher Education from Northern Illinois. 

Jake Van Groll enters his eighth season as the defensive line coach at Western Colorado University in 2022. Along with all defensive line coaching responsibilities, Van Groll was named Special Teams Coordinator in 2018.  In his first five seasons, Van Groll has coached eight Mountaineer defensive linemen to all-conference honors, including All-RMAC First Teamers Will Lydle (2019) and Austin Yurko (2016). Lydle was also named in 2019 to the Don Hansen Super Region 4 Third Team, All-NFFCC Second Team and he was nominated for the 2019 Cliff Harris award - given to the top small-school defensive player in the country.  Van Groll also coached punter Garrett Boyd to All-RMAC First Team and to the Don Hansen Super Region 4 Third Team in 2019 while kicker Chandler Davis was named RMAC All-Academic First Team - the first Mountaineer since 2016 to make the first team. Van Groll helped the 2016 Mountaineer defense rank in the top-10 in Division II for scoring defense and red zone defense. The Western defense also recorded two shutouts, including the first shutout in 13 years. Prior to Western, Van Groll spent three seasons at Northern Illinois, serving the previous two years as a defensive line graduate assistant coach following one season as a volunteer assistant.   While with the Huskies, Van Groll helped Northern Illinois claim two Mid-American Athletic Conference (MAC) titles (2012, 2014) and advance to three-straight bowl games including the 2013 Orange Bowl. Van Groll also coached a seventh round NFL draft pick in Ken Bishop while at Northern Illinois.   Working as a graduate assistant, Van Groll served as the junior college recruiting liaison and was an out of area recruiter for the defense. He also ran position meetings, individual drills and scout team offense while assisting in game breakdowns and scouting reports.   As a volunteer assistant, Van Groll assisted in the equipment room at Northern Illinois, helping prepare the locker room for the team’s arrival, setting up drills for positions groups at practice and helping in the video breakdown for the defense.   Prior to Northern Illinois, Van Groll served as a student assistant coach at Ripon College (Wis.) for three years where he ran the scout team offense, assisted in recruiting and served as an assistant to the defensive line coach. While working with the Red Hawks, he also helped in film breakdown, scout cards and formations and game planning.   A native of Maribel, Wisconsin, Van Groll received a bachelor's degree in exercise science – sports management with an emphasis in education from Ripon College in 2012. He completed a master’s degree in adult and higher education from Northern Illinois in 2016.