Concordia University-Wisconsin Football

Greg Etter completed his 18th season as Concordia University Wisconsin’s head football coach in 2025, coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history.

Thomas will be in his first season as the Offensive Graduate Assistant for the CUW football program in 2026. Hailing from Punta Gorda, Florida, Thomas graduated from Charlotte High School, where he played running back, wide receiver, and special teams. While attending Concordia University of Wisconsin, he played running back over his five seasons with the Falcons. He graduated with a bachelor's in Sports Management.

Curran White completed his fifth season as the Offensive Coordinator at Concordia Wisconsin in 2024. The 2023 Falcons finished second in the NACC in scoring offense, averaging 33 points per game. CUW led NCAA Division III in total passing yards during the Spring 2021 season. In 2019 White was Head Coach of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Wide Receiver Rodney Mollete was named to the 2019 NAIA All-America team after recording 69 receptions for 1,003 yards and 8 touchdowns. White spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons as the Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. In 2018 the Braves finished with an 8-2 record, ranked no. 20 in the final NAIA Football Coaches' Poll. Ottawa ranked no. 14 in the NAIA in Scoring Offense per Game. From 2012 to 2016, White was the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Concordia University Nebraska in Seward, Neb. In 2013, CUNE recorded its first winning season in over a decade with a 7-4 finish. The 2014 team had the top-ranked offense in CUNE history, averaging 401 yards per game. In 2016, the Bulldogs went 7-3 with a final NAIA ranking of no.18, which was the best finish at the school in 15 years. Before Concordia Nebraska, White was the Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri from 2005 to 2011. At MVC White helped the Vikings win HAAC Conference Championships in 2006 and 2011, with NAIA Championship Series qualifications in 2006, 200

Jake Riportella is in his third season coaching for the Falcons in 2025. He comes to Concordia from Waukesha South High School, where he spent the last three years. With the Blackshirts, he coached tight ends and linebackers and was the head strength and conditioning coordinator during the 22-23 season. Rip played fullback/tight end at Concordia University Wisconsin from 2016 to 2020. He was a two-time captain during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons. Rip made second-team all-conference in the 2018-2019 season and was an honorable mention in the 2019-2020 season. He graduated from CUW with a degree in cross-categorical special education. He is a Native of Des Plaines, Illinois.

Jeff Merritt joins the Concordia University Wisconsin football staff for the 2025 season as the Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Secondary Coach. Merritt arrives in Mequon after spending the past four seasons at Hastings College (Neb.), where he served as the Defensive Secondary Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Over his career, he has coached defensive backs for eight consecutive seasons and brings a proven track record of player development and defensive strategy. A native of Fort Lupton, Colorado, Merritt played four years at Doane University, where he was part of two NAIA playoff-qualifying teams in 2015 and 2016. He remained with the program as a Student Assistant before earning his bachelor's degree in history in 2018. He later completed his Master's Degree in Adult Organizational Learning from Midland University in December 2020 while serving as the Safeties Coach. Merritt's experience as both a player and coach at the collegiate level has prepared him well for his leadership role with the Falcons' defense.

Jeremy Crawford completed his seventh year at Concordia University Wisconsin in 2024–25, serving his fifth year as the Director of Athletic Communications. He originally joined the Falcons' staff as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, holding that role for two seasons. Since arriving at CUW, Crawford has overseen a department that has celebrated four CoSIDA Academic All-American selections and continued to grow its media presence across platforms. Prior to his time at Concordia, Crawford spent three years at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he supported all 21 varsity programs. While at Calvin, he played a key role in hosting three NCAA Division III Championships and significantly enhanced the school's social media outreach. A native of Grandville, Michigan, Crawford earned his bachelor of arts in education from Michigan State University in 2014. As an undergraduate and post-graduate intern, he worked extensively in the Spartans' sports information office during the 2014–15 academic year. At Michigan State, Crawford served as the primary contact for women's tennis and the men's and women's swimming and diving programs. He was also the secondary contact for women's basketball and contributed as a statistician for ice hockey, soccer, field hockey, basketball, softball, baseball, and tennis. Additionally, he supported live broadcasts as a timeout coordinator and helped design graphics and templates for MSU Athletics' social media platforms.

Joseph Federico is in his third season with the Falcons in the 2025 season. He comes to Concordia from the University of Jamestown in North Dakota, where he spent the last six seasons. With the Jimmies, he served as the Quarterbacks Coach, Co-Special Teams Coordinator and Academic Coordinator. During this time, the Jimmies rewrote the offensive record book. In 2021, the Jimmies were one of the top passing teams in the country with Quarterback Cade Torgerson ranking second in competitions, first in attempts, eighth total passing yards and seventh yards per game. Federico played quarterback at Phoenix College (Ariz.) from 2012-2014 and then at Concordia University Wisconsin from 2015-2016. Federico graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin with a degree in Sports Management & Entertainment in the spring of 2017. He is a native of Phoenix, Arizona.

Keith Casey enters his fourth season with the Concordia Wisconsin football program in 2025. The Janesville, Wisconsin, native played his high school football

Erling is in his third season with the CUW football program in 2026 after being elevated from the Offensive Graduate Assistant position. Prior to Erling's arrival he played Offensive Line at Culver-Stockton College (Canton, Mo) for 5 seasons. During his time, he was named team captain during the 2022 season. Erling also received several Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards and the PAW award. He graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Sports Management and Finance in the spring of 2023. Erling graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin with his Master's degree in Business Administration in the Fall of 2025. Hailing from Tulare, California, Erling graduated from Mission Oak High School where he played both Offensive and Defensive Line.

Richie Dehnel enters his 12th season with the Concordia Wisconsin football program in 2025. The Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, native played high school football at St. Mary's Springs Academy and immediately went into coaching after completing his prep career. Dehnel spent three years at Riverside University High School coaching running backs and linebackers. At CUW, he has worked with the linebackers, defensive backs, and returners. Dehnel graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Entertainment Management in 2016.

Simpson-King will be in his first season as the Defensive Graduate Assistant for the CUW football program in 2025. Hailing from Peoria, Illinois Simpson-King graduated from Elmwood High School, where he played running back and defensive back. Most recently, he served as Wide Receivers Coach & Pass Game Coordinator for East Peoria High School in Illinois. While attending Eureka College, he played wide receiver, as well as a key contributor on special teams, over his four seasons with the Red Devils. He graduated with a bachelor's in Sports Management, and History & Political Science.

Tyler Ryan enters his sixth season as the assistant offensive line coach with Concordia University Wisconsin in 2025. A Winona, Minnesota native, Ryan attended Concordia University Wisconsin, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 2020. While attending CUW he played football for two seasons for the Falcons on the offensive line, playing in and starting all 20 games. He was selected to the All-Conference team twice and received the Pancake Award in both seasons for the program. In 2019, Ryan was named a preseason All-American and team captain for the Falcons. After his senior football season, Ryan played in an All-American Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN where he was honored as one of the players of the game. Ryan currently lives and works in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.

Whitney Dobson is in his sixth year as the Concordia University Wisconsin Football inside linebackers coach in the 2025 season. Prior to CUW, he was the defensive

Zak deWindt enters his 12th season with the Concordia University Wisconsin football program in 2025. The Germantown, Wisconsin native played high school football at Germantown High School. DeWindt attended CUW, where he played for the Falcons all four years, mainly as a defensive back. He was also a track and field team member for two years. He graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Recreation Management in 2016. While at CUW, he has worked with the defensive backs and now primarily concentrates on outside linebackers.