Central Michigan University Football

Central Michigan University named Matt Drinkall its 30 th football coach on Dec. 9, 2024, ushering in a new era of excitement. In his first season at Central...

Abigayl Cox begins her first year as a member of the Central Michigan football staff as its Director of Football Recruiting. Cox arrives in Mount Pleasant af...

Andrew Kolly was named Director of Football Creative Content in the spring of 2026 following a full year with the Central Michigan football program, Head Coach Matt Drinkall's inaugural season, as an undergraduate assistant. The Indian River, Mich.-native oversees Chippewa Football's social media and other promotional content. As an undergrad, Kolly worked directly with the coaching staff and other key individuals within the coaching staff to produce video content in support of the program. Prior to CMU Football, Kolly spent three years with the Central Michigan Athletics multimedia staff as a creative videographer where he built many of the skills that translated to his position with the football program, attending several Mid-American Conference and NCAA postseason events in representation of Chippewa Athletics. Kolly received his bachelor of arts in broadcast and cinematic arts in December 2025, with minors in multimedia design and advertising. He graduated from Inland Lakes High School in Indiana River, Mich. in 2022.

Andrew Lang begins his first year as a member of the Central Michigan football staff as its Director of Football Equipment. Lang joins the Central Michigan a...

Ashley Jetzer begins her sixth year as a member of the Central Michigan football staff and her first year as CMU’s Assistant Director of Football Operations ...

Ayden Opfer joined Matt Drinkall’s Central Michigan coaching staff in December 2024, as its first General Manager in program history. Opfer joins the Central...

Brandon Johnson-Farrell brings 10 years of coaching experience and is in his second season on head coach Matt Drinkall’s staff as wide receivers coach. In his first season at Central Michigan in 2025, Johnson-Farrell helped guide the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years with a 7-6 overall record and a 5-3 MAC mark. The team posted its highest win total since 2021. Johnson-Farrell’s wide receivers included Third Team All-MAC pick Langston Lewis, who led the Chippewas with 43 receptions and 596 yards with three touchdowns, and Tommy McIntosh, who finished with 31 receptions for 422 yards and three touchdowns. The Chippewas scored 16 receiving touchdowns. Johnson-Farrell joined the Central Michigan coaching staff after coaching wide receivers at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., in 2025. He previously worked with CMU Offensive Coordinator Jim Chapin and Offensive Line Coach Hayden Mace at various stops, including Eastern Washington and Sioux Falls. In 2024 at Lindenwood, Johnson-Farrell coached wide receiver Jeff Caldwell to All-America honors. Caldwell ranked eighth nationally in yards per reception (19.47) and 12th in touchdown receptions (11). In 2023, he coached running backs at Eastern Washington alongside Chapin and Mace, helping the offense rank No. 15 nationally in scoring (32.3 points per game) and No. 21 in total offense (417.6 yards per game). At Valdosta State in 2022, Johnson-Farrell coached two all-conference wide receivers, Victor Talley

FootballSkip AdPimpleton, CalvinBelay, NickChapin, JimCronin, SeanDeveans, TannerDrinkall, MattDukes, ChristianFleming, WesFulton, DerekJohnson-Farrell, BrandonJones, NolanMace, HaydenMurphy, KeithPimpleton, CalvinRiley, JacksonSmith, TesfaWalker, Charles

Charles Walker begins first season on head coach Matt Drinkall’s staff as its running backs coach. Walker joins Central Michigan after four years at Penn Sta...

Christian Dukes enters his second season on head coach Matt Drinkall’s staff at Central Michigan as the cornerbacks/nickels coach. Recognized for developing smart, tough, physically strong, and resilient players throughout his career, Dukes brings a decade of coaching experience. In his first season at Central Michigan in 2025, Dukes helped guide the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years. The team recorded a 7-6 overall record and a 5-3 MAC mark. The Chippewas’ seven wins were their most since 2021. Dukes’ cornerback unit was a strong point on defense, featuring Jaion Jackson, Brenden Deasfernandes, and Kalen Carroll. Jackson made 48 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception, and had seven pass breakups, including a forced fumble, Deasfernandes led the Chippewas with eight pass breakups, intercepted two passes, and made 25 tackles. Carroll contributed 52 tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Before joining Central Michigan, Dukes served three seasons at Youngstown State as the cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator for the FCS Penguins under head coach Doug Phillips from 2022-24. At Youngstown, Dukes emerged as one of the leading young secondary coaches in FCS football. Over three years, he recruited, coached, or developed three All-MVFC defensive backs—Troy Jakubec, Jaylen Castleberry, and DJ Harris. Dukes also advanced two former walk-ons to full athletic scholarships. In recruiting, he signed Youngstown’s two highest-rated defensive backs e

Derek Fulton joined Matt Drinkall’s Central Michigan coaching staff in December 2024 as the co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. In 2025, Fulton helped guide Central Michigan to its first bowl appearance in four years with a 7-6 overall and a 5-3 mark in MAC play. The Chippewas achieved their highest win total since 2021. Fulton’s tight ends caught 26 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns and also contributed significantly to the CMU run game. Before arriving at Central Michigan, Fulton spent six seasons as offensive coordinator at NAIA Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, his alma mater, from 2019-24. During that span, the Vikings compiled a 72-5 record. Fulton coached four All-Americans—one quarterback, two wide receivers, and one offensive lineman)—six Heart of America Offensive Player of the Year Award recipients, and one NAIA Player of the Year (quarterback). He earned the Heart of America Athletic Conference Assistant Coach of the Year Award two times. In 2021, he directed an offense that produced nearly 3,000 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns as Grand View reached the NAIA national title game. In 2024, he engineered an offense that generated over 3,000 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns. In the 2024 NAIA Championship, Grand View accumulated 485 yards—353 rushing—and won 35-7. Fulton started at quarterback for Grand View from 2012-15, leading the Vikings to a 41-6 record. In 2013, he earned Offensive Player of the Game honors after guiding G

Hayden Mace enters his second season at Central Michigan, bringing renewed intensity and leadership as the offensive line coach on Matt Drinkall’s staff. Drawing on nine years of coaching experience, Mace helped guide the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years, closing the season with 7-6 overall record and a 5-3 MAC mark. The team notched its highest win total since 2021. Mace’s offensive line yielded only 24 sacks for 153 yards, fueling an offense that accumulated 2,125 rushing yards and 2,172 passing yards. The Chippewas offensive line was anchored by Martin Koivisto, Jacob Russell, Dasan Smith, Brady Ploucha, Matthew Nehf, Jacob Booth, and John Iannuzzi. Mace joined the Central Michigan staff in December 2024, after serving as offensive line coach/run game coordinator at Eastern Washington University during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. At EWU, Mace engineered a dominant offense, earning Top-10 national rankings in categories, including first and third down conversions (56.4%), No. 5 in rushing yards per game (229.3), No. 8 in red zone conversion (91.1%), No. 8 in total yards per game (444.3), and No. 8 in points per game (35.8). The Eagles’ shattered school records with 68 rushing attempts, 478 rushing yards per game, and 10 rushing touchdowns in a single game. Under Mace’s guidance, EWU’s offensive line dominated, earning the nation’s No. 1 PFF pass blocking unit honor, ranking in the FCS, and allowing the 15th fewest sacks (1.17 per game) nationally. The u

FootballSkip AdRiley, JacksonBelay, NickChapin, JimCoeling, AaronCronin, SeanDeveans, TannerDrinkall, MattDukes, ChristianFleming, WesFulton, DerekJohnson-Farrell, BrandonJones, NolanMace, HaydenMurphy, KeithPimpleton, CalvinRiley, JacksonSmith, TesfaWalker, Charles

Jake Riedel begins his first year on head coach Matt Drinkall’s Central Michigan football coaching staff as its Director of Strength and Conditioning for Foo...

Jacob Sakk begins his first year as a member of the Central Michigan football staff as its Senior Director of Player Personnel. After serving as Duquesne’s D...

Jim Chapin enters his second season as Central Michigan’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He joined Central Michigan’s staff in 2023 after three seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Eastern Washington University (2022-24) in Cheney, Wash. Chapin brings 18 years of experience and a proven record to the role. In his first year at Central Michigan, Chapin’s physical, ball-control offense generated 330.5 total yards per game, including 163.5 rushing yards in helping the Chippewas to a 7-6 record and GameAbove Sports Bowl appearance. The Chippewas offense set school records for passing efficiency (155.8) and completion percentage (69 percent) as it completed 176 of 255 passes for 2,172 yards and 16 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions. Central Michigan earned top 30 national rankings in completion percentage (No. 8), passing efficiency (No. 14), time of possession (No. 21), and fewest interceptions thrown (No. 23). Quarterback Joe Labas set school records for season completion percentage (70.7) and highest pass efficiency rating (160.4), wide receiver Langston Lewis secured Third Team All-MAC honors after a 43-reception, 596 receiving yard season, quarterback Angel Flores rushed for eight touchdowns and 527 yards, and running back Brock Townsend scored eight total touchdowns (four rushing, four receiving). Under Eastern Washington under head coach Aaron Best, Chapin engineered a top 10 offense in the FCS. In 2024, the Eagles produced 442.0

Keith Murphy enters his seventh season as special teams coordinator at Central Michigan and his second under head Coach Matt Drinkall. Murphy originally joined Central Michigan as a part of Jim McElwain’s staff. Murphy’s career includes being a finalist for Football Scoop National Special Teams Coordinator of the Year in 2022, when the Chippewas led the nation with seven blocked kicks. Over 29 years, he has coached at the NFL, FBS, and FCS levels, mentoring multiple All-Pro, All-American, and all-conference performers. In 2025, Murphy’s special teams units helped guide the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years, finishing 7-6 overall and 5-3 in the MAC, their highest win count since 2021. Placekicker Cade Graham earned Third Team All-MAC honors after leading the Chippewas with 77 points, hitting 14 of 17 field goals (nine consecutive), and converting all 35 of his point after attempts. Long snapper Ben Pratt earned All-MAC honors twice, and punter Declan Duley averaged 41.1 yards per punt. In 2024, Murphy’s featured All-MAC placekicker Tristan Mattson, who led the conference in field goal percentage (89 percent, 16 of 18). Mattson secured three MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and kicked a game-winning 47-yarder against San Diego State. All-MAC punt returner Donte Kent led the conference in punt return average (13.6 yards) with a return touchdown. Murphy’s coverage units finished No. 2 in the MAC and No. 25 nationally for kickoff return defense. In

Matt Myers joined Matt Drinkall’s Central Michigan coaching staff in December 2024, as its Director of Internal Operations. Myers rejoins Drinkall as the duo...

Michael McPike began his position as Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Events in March 2023. Prior to his appointment, McPike served as the Coordinator of Equipment Operations for Central Michigan University Football for 18 years. Besides his time in the equipment room at CMU, he had worked at Florida International University, Virginia Tech, and Bowling Green State University. McPike received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University in 1999 and earned a Master's Degree in Education, Health Promotion from Virginia Tech in 2001. McPike has been certified by the Athletic Equipment Manager's Association since 2000.

FootballSkip AdBelay, NickBelay, NickChapin, JimCoeling, AaronCronin, SeanDeveans, TannerDrinkall, MattDukes, ChristianFleming, WesFulton, DerekJohnson-Farrell, BrandonJones, NolanMace, HaydenMurphy, KeithPimpleton, CalvinRiley, JacksonSmith, TesfaWalker, Charles

Nolan Jones begins his first year as a member of the Central Michigan football staff as Director of Analytics. Jones arrives in Mount Pleasant after serving ...

A 24-year college coaching veteran, Sean Cronin enters his second season at Central Michigan as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach. Known for tough, physical, and efficient play, Cronin has built a career while leading high-performing defensive units. The Detroit, Mich. native has coached on football staffs that have appeared in a combined 10 bowl games, won two FBS national championships and three conference titles. In his first season at Central Michigan in 2025, Cronin propelled the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years with a 7-6 overall record, a 7-3 mark against non-Power 4 opponents, and a 5-3 MAC record. Utilizing an experienced play-making defense, Central Michigan allowed just 17.5 points per game in its eight MAC games and achieved top 30 national rankings in red zone defense (No. 10), defensive touchdowns (No. 10), and turnovers gained (No. 26). In each win, CMU held each of its opponents to 20 points or less, forced at least one turnover in all 13 games, and finished the regular season with a plus-8 turnover margin (20-12), ranking among the nation's best. Two of his defensive players earned All-America honors including defensive end Michael Heldman and linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski. Heldman and Kwiatkowski were First Team All-MAC picks, and linebacker Dakota Cochran was Second Team. Kwiatkowski led the Chippewas with 117 tackles (52 solo) with three forced fumbles and three interceptions. Heldman had 10.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, a

FootballSkip AdDeveans, TannerBelay, NickChapin, JimCoeling, AaronCronin, SeanDeveans, TannerDrinkall, MattDukes, ChristianFleming, WesFulton, DerekJohnson-Farrell, BrandonJones, NolanMace, HaydenMurphy, KeithPimpleton, CalvinRiley, JacksonSmith, TesfaWalker, Charles

With 29 years of collegiate coaching experience, Tesfa Smith begins his second season on head coach Matt Drinkall’s staff as defensive line coach. In his first season at Central Michigan in 2025, Smith helped guide the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years, posting a 7-6 overall record and their highest win total since 2021. Under his leadership, the defensive line recorded 18.5 sacks, 32 tackles for loss, and 23 quarterback hurries, while also forcing five fumbles and recovering three. Michael Heldman earned First Team All-MAC and All-American honors, ranking among national leaders in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (16.5). Jonathan Decker, Korver Demma, JJ Douglas, and Quavion Bird made significant contributions as key playmakers. Smith joined CMU after 10 years at Ferris State as defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach for Tony Annese. During his tenure, Ferris State won three NCAA Division II national championships (2021, 2022, and 2024) and six Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. The Bulldogs also recorded five unbeaten regular seasons, six regional titles, six appearances in the national quarterfinals, and a 122-14 overall record. Notably, Ferris State is one of just four college teams at any level to win least 11 games each season for eight consecutive years. Since 2015, Smith’s Ferris State defensive linemen earned two Gene Upshaw NCAA Division I Defensive Lineman of the Year awards, one Ted Hendricks Award, achie

Wes Fleming enters his second year as Safeties Coach at Central Michigan after joining Matt Drinkall’s staff in December 2024. Fleming and Drinkall have work...

Wes Sohns was named the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine/Football Athletic Training for the Central Michigan football program in August 2022. He was promoted to his role as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine/Athletic Training. In his role, Sohns manages all sports medicine operations for the Chippewas football program. Sohns joined the CMU athletic department with 18 years of prior athletic training experience. He served as the assistant athletic director for sports medicine at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash. for two years from 2020-22 and as an assistant athletic trainer with the XLF's Los Angeles Wildcats in 2020. He was named the Interim Director of Sports Medicine and Head Football Athletic Trainer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 2018-20. For 10 years (2008-18), Sohns worked as an assistant athletic trainer with the Penn State football program in State College, Pa. He oversaw the rehabilitation for student-athletes and served as the director for medical coverage of all sports camps. He began his career as a graduate assistant trainer at East Carolina from 2006-08, where he worked primarily with the Pirate football program, women's soccer, and volleyball. He also completed two summer internships with the Green Bay Packers in 2004 and 2005. Sohns earned a bachelor of science degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Iowa State University in 2006. He went on to earn a master of science degree in S