Wingate University Men's Football

Rashaan Jordan was named the Wingate head football coach prior to the 2024 season after serving as the defensive coordinator for 18 seasons. In his first season as the WU head coach, Jordan led the Bulldogs toa  9-2 record, going 6-1 in SAC play to capture the 2024 SAC title. Wingate earned a bid to the NCAA D2 play-offs for the fifth time in seven years, earning a home game in the opening round. Jordan was named the SAC Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm.  The Bulldogs piled up the awards during Jordan's first season as the head coach, led by defensive end Marquise Fleming, who was named the SAC and Region Defensive Player of the Year while also being a consensus first team All-American. He earned National Player of the Year accolades from Don Hansen Football and the College Football Network. Fleming earned the prestigious Gene Upshaw Award as the top lineman in all of D2 football.  Wingate had 16 All-SAC honorees in Jordan's first year as the head coach, including the Player of the Year Fleming, along with Jacobs Blocking Trophy award winner Erwil Anthony. The first team All-SAC selections included Porfirio Acosta, Dontorian Best, Kai Russell and Daniel Morrison.  Jordan returned to the Bulldog family as the defensive coordinator in December of 2012. Jordan spent seven years as Wingate’s defensive coordinator (2001-08) before working on the football coaching staffs at Cornell and SUNY Brockport. He served as the team’s pro liaison and works with the Bulldog linebackers. Three Bulldogs made first team All-SAC in 2019: Davion Washington, Robbie Wallace and Jordon Anderson. Wingate’s defense was second in four statistical categories: rushing defense (111.1), scoring defense (21.9), team sacks (3.08) and fewest first downs allowed (198). The Bulldogs made the NCAA Division II playoffs for the third consecutive season.   Jordan and the Bulldog coaching staff helped defensive end Cardell Rawlings become a consensus All-American and the SAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. Rawlings led the SAC in sacks and ranked fourth nationally. Six Bulldog defenders made the All-SAC teams. Wingate led the SAC in rushing defense (123.6), team sacks (3.54), team tackles for loss (8.4), third down defense (.264) and defensive touchdowns (three). In 2017, Jordan saw senior linebacker Zack Singleton earn Academic All-America® honors. Jordan coached four defenders to All-SAC honors. Defensive lineman Auntrell Mack led the way with his first-team nod. Linebacker Robbie Wallace led the SAC in tackles per game (9.5). Jordan’s defensive unit made big plays in big moments, leading the SAC in fourth down defense (.273). The SAC champion Bulldogs held Carson-Newman to three second-half points in a big league win. Jordan’s 2016 Bulldog defense led the South Atlantic Conference in nine statistical categories. An AFCA All-American, end Ray Edwards was the first athlete in program history to earn SAC Defensive Player of the Year laurels. Edwards and four WU defensive teammates were named to the All-SAC teams. Jordan’s charges allowed only 20 points in four 2016 victories after pitching a school-record three shutouts the previous year. Jordan’s defense produced three first team All-SAC choices in 2015: Andre Foulks, linebacker Eric Mapoles and safety Nortavius Otis. Mapoles became only the second student-athlete in WU Football history to make the Academic All-America® team two years in a row. Lineman Jordan Smith joined Mapoles on the Academic All-Super Region 2 team.    Wingate defensive lineman Nick Napolitano earned a spot on the Associated Press Little All-America second team and the Academic All-America® second team following the 2014 season. A two-time team captain, Napolitano was a three-time All-SAC pick. Defensive back Brandon Hathaway was named first team All-American by the Beyond Sports Network (BSN). Hathaway was a first team All-SAC pick as well.   Mapoles and defensive back Jon Jimenez joined Napolitano on the 2014 All-SAC squad. All three student-athletes were named to the Academic All-America® NCAA Division II football team by CoSIDA.   Statistically, the 2014 Bulldogs were seventh in the NCAA with allowing only 154.5 passing yards per game. Wingate topped the 2014 SAC charts in defensive interceptions (16), fumbles recovered (11) and defensive touchdowns (four). In 2013, Bulldog defensive lineman Auntrell Mack led the NCAA in fumbles recovered with four. Both Jimenez and Napolitano received all-league laurels from the SAC.   Jordan is a graduate of Alfred University, where he earned a degree in Athletic Administration. He spent time with Coach Reich at the University of Buffalo after one year as the running backs coach at Alfred. At Cornell, Jordan was primarily a linebacker coach while also assisting in the Kick-off, Kick-off Return, and Punt Return special team areas for the team as well.    Jordan joined the Cornell football coaching staff in the spring of 2008 after coaching at Wingate University for the previous seven years as defensive coordinator, assistant head coach and linebacker coach. He also worked with the team’s punters.   While at Wingate from 2001 to 2008, Jordan coached defensive backs David Jones and Donald Brown, linebacker Stuart Sheppard and defensive lineman Kenwin Cummings to All-SAC seasons in 2006. Jones was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft (145th overall selection) and signed a three-year contract in June. A 2007 Hula Bowl participant, Jones was a D2Football.com and AFCA All-American his senior season.   In addition, Cummings led the SAC in tackles for loss (17.5), quarterback hurries (15) and quarterback sacks (nine) in 2006. He was 21st in the NCAA in pass sacks and 22nd in tackles for loss. He was named to the 2005 Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-America first team.   The Bulldogs were third in the SAC in pass defense in 2005, allowing only 176.6 passing yards per contest. In addition, Wingate was second in pass defense efficiency (103.9). Four Bulldog defenders were named to the All-SAC team in 2005.   Before joining the Wingate family, Jordan was a full-time outside linebackers coach at the University of Buffalo. Jordan also coordinated Buffalo’s punt return team efforts. In addition to his coaching responsibilities at Buffalo, Jordan was the school’s primary recruiter in Maryland and Florida. He also has recruiting experience in North Carolina, Delaware, New York, and parts of Canada.   Prior to his promotion to full-time assistant coaching status, Jordan spent four years as restricted earnings assistant coach (defensive backs) at the University of Buffalo. In addition to his duties with the defensive backs, he was very involved with student-athlete eligibility concerns. Also, he was responsible for weekend recruiting hosts and served as the football staff liaison to the residence life office.   A graduate of Alfred University, Jordan is the Saxons’ single-season rushing leader. A tailback at Alfred, Jordan was an honorable mention All-American and Player of the Year in the ECAC. Also, he was first team All-Upstate New York. While an undergraduate, Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic administration at Alfred. After his playing days were completed in 1994, Jordan spent one year as running backs coach for the Saxons before moving on to the University of Buffalo.   Jordan and his wife Elizabeth have three sons and two daughters (Malik, Calen, Kyral, Kyra and Makiah) and reside in Indian Trail.

Trey Kavanaugh was hired as the Wingate Quarterback Coach in February of 2024. He spent 2022 and 2023 at Appalachian State University as the assistant QB Coach. During the 2022 season, Kavanaugh coached Chase Brice, a current quarterback in the CFL. Brice led the Sun Belt in TD Passes and set a school record for TD passes in a game with six vs the University of North Carolina. During the 2023 season, Kavanaugh coached Joey Aguilar, the 2023 Sun Belt Newcomer of the year who set school records in Passing touchdowns, passing yards, and total offense.  Prior to his time at App State, Kavanaugh was the head football coach at Cuthbertson High School from 2019 through 2021. In final season, he led the Cavaliers to a 4A third-round State Playoff Run. Kavanaugh has also spent time as a JV Head Coach and offensive coordinator at Ardrey Kell High School from 2016 through 2018. He was an offensive assistant coach at East Carolina University in 2015.  Kavanaugh played at Appalachian State University from 2011 through 2014. He is married to Ashlee Kavanaugh. Trey is the grandson of NCAA Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Moore.   

Austin Proehl is in his first season on the Wingate coaching staff in 2024, serving as the Wide Receivers Coach. Proehl was a seventh round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2018 and appeared in the Super Bowl with the LA Rams in 2019. His NFL career spanned from 2018 through 2023, with the Bills, Rams, Chargers and Giants. He also spent a season with the Battle Hawks in the XFL in 2023.  Proehl played his college football at the University of North Carolina from 2013 through 2017. HE was also a standout at Providence High School in Charlotte. He is the son of Ricky Proehl, who spent 17 years in the NFL including a six-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. 

Johnson joined the Wingate staff prior to the 2024 season. He has had plenty of experience throughout college football, starting with his collegiate playing career at University of California-Berkeley from 2013 through 2016.  After his playing carer, Johnson served as a defensive analyst and video coordinator at Murray State in 2018. From there, he went to Sacramento State for two years as a graduate assistant offensive line coach. Johnson then spent the 2022 season as a graduate assistant at Boise State. His final stop prior to joining the Bulldog staff was in 2023, when he served as a graduate assistant coach at Kansas State. 

Mike Long is entering his 20th season as Wingate’s offensive coordinator in 2020. The team’s assistant head coach, Long also coaches Wingate’s quarterbacks. He is the team’s community service coordinator and camp director. Long and the Bulldogs have hosted the nationally-recognized Special Olympics Football Field Day for 16 consecutive years.   The 2019 season brought a rare double-double to offensive lineman Andrew Strickland, as he made AFCA All-American on the field and Academic All-America® from CoSIDA for his efforts in the classroom. Strickland and four teammates made first team All-SAC. WU running backs Nijere Peoples and Domineke McNeill both made the first team. The Bulldogs were second in the SAC in passing offense (202.3) and passing yards per completion (15.76).   In 2018, Long’s offense had four first team All-SAC members and five total all-league picks. Running back Nijere Peoples was the SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year with 110.3 yards per game and a league-best 14 rushing touchdowns. Long helped quarterback Shaw Crocker top the SAC charts in points responsible for (174).   Long helped Wingate running back Lawrence Pittman lead the SAC in rushing yards (1262) on the way to earning the league’s Offensive Player of the Year award in 2017. Also, Long mentored offensive lineman Daniel Owens as he won the coveted Jacobs Blocking Trophy. Five of Long’s offensive players made the 2017 All-SAC teams. The SAC champion Bulldogs led the league in time of possession (32:55) and first downs (229).   In 2016, Long’s offense was at the top of the league charts as the Bulldogs were second in the SAC in both rushing offense (227.1 yards/game) and passing offense (199.4 yards/game). The Bulldogs led the league in red zone offense and third down conversions. Quarterback Kyle Johnson had a career year, while running backs Blake Hayes and Lawrence Pittman led the SAC in rushing yards (1109) and rushing touchdowns (15), respectively. Hayes was a Harlon Hill Award nominee. Seven offensive players made the 2016 All-SAC teams. Long helped three student-athletes make the 2015 All-SAC team: Denver Bronco signee Mathu Gibson, Harlon Hill nominee Lawrence Pittman and three-year leading receiver Jordan Berry. Long and the Bulldogs were an integral part of Wingate’s 2015 Make-A-Wish reveal. The school won the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence in recognition of this special event.   Long’s 2014 offense featured two Academic All-America® selections as named by CoSIDA. Offensive lineman Will Poteat was a first team pick, while tight end Brandon Ellington made the second team. Ellington is the first Wingate football student-athlete to earn Academic All-America® honors twice in his career. Both Ellington and wide receiver Jordan Berry made the All-SAC team in 2014. Berry led the Bulldogs with 50 catches for 586 yards and six touchdowns during the 2014 campaign. He was third in the SAC in receiving touchdowns and receptions per game. In 2013, Long mentored quarterback Robbie Nallenweg, helping him earn a spot as one of 28 candidates in the running for 2013 Harlon Hill Trophy. Nallenweg led the SAC in completions per game (28.1) and completion percentage (70.3) He was fourth in the NCAA Division II statistical rankings in both of the aforementioned categories.   Long helped the Bulldog offense put up fantastic numbers in 2012 as he mentored Wingate’s offensive line. In run-blocking, the offensive line helped the entire running back corps post 1049 yards and 15 touchdowns on the year. The O-Line’s pass-blocking led to a career season by Nallenweg as he broke school records for pass completions (326), pass attempts (491), and completion percentage (66 percent). Long’s standout and leader on the offensive line was redshirt senior center Joseph So, who was honored at the end of the year as an All-SAC first team and Don Hansen All-Super Region 2 third team selection. Wingate was second in the South Atlantic Conference in passing offense (296.91 yards per game) in 2011. Bulldog offensive lineman Mike Arndt and quarterback Cody Haffly were named to the All-SAC team for the second season in a row. Ellington and wide receiver Chris Bowden joined Arndt on the All-SAC first team. Haffly led the SAC in total offense. In 2010, Mike Long celebrated his 10th anniversary as a member of the Bulldog football coaching staff in a big way, as the Bulldogs won the SAC title. Wingate broke 35 school records on offense and special teams. Haffly set every major single-season passing record. He also broke the all-time Wingate and SAC record for TD passes in a season with 42. Haffly’s 3,952 yards passing in 2010 is the third-best single season total in the history of the league. The Bulldogs were second in the SAC in passing offense (332.7 yards per game) and total offense (443.3 yards per game). Senior running back Nelson Woods became the school’s all-time leading rusher in 2010. Woods and Arndt made first team All-SAC. Haffly and wide receivers Perry Floyd and Delric Ellington earned second team laurels. Haffly was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Award. In 2009, Long mentored four Bulldogs to All-SAC honors. Lineman Ben Benshoof and running back Vince Jordan were named to the first team. Delric Ellington and tight end Ryan Webber earned second team distinction. Wingate was second in the SAC in scoring offense (33.6 points per game) and passing offense (241.1 yards per game) during the 2009 season. The Bulldogs were third in the league in total offense (395.3 yards per game). Floyd was third in the nation in kick-off returns (30.38 yards per return) and ninth in punt returns (15.07 yards per return). In 2008, the Bulldogs were number two in the SAC passing offense category. Wingate averaged 238.4 passing yards per game in 2008, placing the Bulldogs ninth on the NCAA Division II charts. Woods rushed for career-high 1238 yards on 248 carries in 2008. He led the SAC in both yards and carries. Woods, Webber and wide receiver Shawn Barrett earned All-SAC laurels following the 2008 campaign. The SAC coaches named Woods the league’s Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2007. Tight end Chris Conklin was named first team All-SAC, while Woods and Barrett were selected second team All-SAC. Conklin signed a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers during the summer of 2008. Woods rushed for a league-best 1,174 yards in 2007. He was Wingate’s first 1000-yard rusher since Tracy Bowen ran for 1,274 yards in 1997. During the 2007 season, Woods eclipsed the 100-yard mark during seven games. In addition, Wingate was third in the league in passing offense, averaging over 242 yards passing per game in 2007. Five Bulldog offensive players were named to the All-SAC teams in 2006. Three-time All-SAC offensive lineman Brandon Manshack earned a first team slot in 2006 after making the second team two years in a row. Conklin and wide receiver Dan Brooks joined Manshack on the first team All-SAC. Long and the offensive coaches keep the Bulldogs near the top of the SAC statistical rankings. The Wingate offense ranked second in the SAC in total offense per game with 342.7 yards per contest in 2006. Also, the Bulldog passing game was first among SAC teams (and eighth in NCAA Division II) at 273.8 yards per game. Brooks led the SAC in receptions per game (5.55) and receiving yards per game (73.5) in 2006. Quarterback Anthony Metzelaars topped the SAC charts in passing yards per game (251.5) and total offense per game (245.7). Metzelaars was 16th in the NCAA Division II in total offense. In 2005, Brooks shared the SAC lead in touchdown receptions (10). Both Brooks and Manshack earned post-season honors from the league. In 2004, Bulldog wide receiver Rodney Williams caught a (then) school-record 74 passes and became only the second receiver in the school’s senior college history to surpass 1000 yards receiving in a season. Prior to joining coach Reich’s staff at Wingate, Long was an assistant football coach at Lehigh University. Long served as assistant offensive line coach and assistant recruiting coordinator at Lehigh. Long helped with the Lehigh special teams, including the punt (long snappers), PAT/FG and kickoff teams. Also, he monitored the academic and athletic progress of the offensive line and served as Lehigh’s head JV coach. During Long’s time at Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks won the Patriot League championship in 1999 and 2000. Also, Lehigh qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1999 and 2000. The Mountain Hawks led the Patriot League in rushing in 2000. While a student-athlete at James Madison University, Long earned four varsity letters as an offensive guard for the Dukes. He started two seasons at JMU, as the team won the Lambert Cup in 1994 (his senior season). Long was elected the team’s most improved offensive lineman during the spring of 1993. The Dukes qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1991 and 1994. Each August, Long coordinates Wingate’s Special Olympics Field Day for local athletes. Long was inducted into the Severn School Athletic Hall of Fame in May of 2011. Coach Long and his wife Erin have a daughter, Olivia Anna Long and a son, Nathan Dallas Long. The Long family resides in Indian Trail. Coach Long’s recruiting areas include: North Carolina counties of Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Pender; also, South Carolina counties of Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Greenville, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union and York; also, the Southern California junior colleges.

Travis Knight enters his 11th season as an assistant football coach for the Wingate Bulldogs. The 2020 season is his 10th year as the team’s defensive line coach. In addition, Knight is Wingate’s video coordinator and the team’s liaison to the Football Alumni Association.   In 2019, Knight helped defensive lineman Jordon Anderson make first team All-SAC. Defensive end Cal Hanford claimed a spot on the All-SAC second team. Wingate’s defense was second in four statistical categories: rushing defense (111.1), scoring defense (21.9), team sacks (3.08) and fewest first downs allowed (198).   Defensive end Cardell Rawlings become a consensus All-American and the SAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. Rawlings led the SAC in sacks and ranked fourth nationally. Defensive lineman Auntrell Mack joined Rawlings on the All-SAC teams. Wingate led the SAC in rushing defense (123.6), team sacks (3.54) and team tackles for loss (8.4).   In 2017, WU defensive lineman Auntrell Mack earned first team All-SAC laurels. Cardell Rawlings gave Bulldog fans a glimpse of his future by making second team All-SAC. The SAC champion Bulldogs led the league in fourth down defense (.273). Wingate held Carson-Newman to three second-half points in a big league win.   The 2016 campaign saw defensive end Ray Edwards become the first athlete in program history to earn South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year laurels. Defensive linemen Andre Foulks and Josh Mills joined Edwards on the All-SAC teams. Edwards and Foulks led the league in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, respectively. Knight coached Chris Boykins, who earned a spot on the Academic All-Super Region 2 team named by CoSIDA. Overall, the WU defense led the SAC in nine statistical categories.   In 2015, Knight mentored Andre Foulks as the junior earned a spot on the first team All-SAC squad. Foulks had 11 tackles at number 16 Lenoir-Rhyne, allowing the Bulldogs to snap the Bears’ 22-game SAC winning streak. Defensive end Jordan Smith was named Academic All-Super Region 2 by CoSIDA.   Wingate defensive lineman Nick Napolitano achieved a unique double-double by earning a spot on the Associated Press Little All-America second team and the CoSIDA Academic All-America® second team following the 2014 season. A two-time team captain, Napolitano was a three-time All-SAC pick.   In 2013, Bulldog defensive lineman Auntrell Mack led the NCAA in fumbles recovered with four. In 2012, Knight coached a starting defensive line which recorded 162 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, five fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.  Defensive linemen Napolitano and Malcolm Ricks were honored at the end of the season as All-SAC second team selections.  Knight worked with Wingate’s linebackers during the 2010 season. Prior to joining head coach Joe Reich’s staff, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Sun Valley High School for head coach Scott Stein. In 2008, Knight worked with the Sun Valley linebackers. In 2009, he was the defensive line coach. The Spartans made the N.C. 4A play-offs both seasons. Knight assisted with play calling from the press box. In addition, he collaborated with the defensive coordinator to determine defensive strategies for each game. During his playing days, Knight was a two-year letter winner for the Bulldogs. Knight was named Wingate’s defensive MVP in 2005. He led the team in tackles (89) the same season. In addition, Knight shared the South Atlantic Conference statistical championship with three fumble recoveries. Knight played two years at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, Minn. before joining the Bulldogs in the fall of 2004. He was All-Conference and team defensive MVP two years each. Knight was All-Region and All-State one year each. Knight earned a B.S. degree in Parks and Recreation Administration from Wingate University in December, 2006. Most recently, he spent two years as the ISS Coordinator at Sun Valley High School. Knight is a graduate of Richmond Senior High in Rockingham. Coach Knight’s recruiting areas include: North Carolina counties of Anson, Bladen, Carteret, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Wayne, Wilson; also, the South Carolina counties of Chesterfield, Marlboro and Darlington.