Gustavus Adolphus College Football

Peter Haugen, a native of Minneapolis and a 1991 graduate of Bethel University, is entering his 17th year as head football coach at Gustavus Adolphus College in the 2025-26 academic year. Haugen led the 2023 football team to its first MIAC championship game since 1987, finishing 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. The Gusties, after defeating nationally-ranked No. 7 Saint John's for the first time in 10 years, won the Northwoods Division for the first time since the conference's divisional structure was created. Haugen has compiled a number of accomplishments in the program's last three years, posting the best overall record since 1998 in 2021 (8-2) and recording the largest margin of victory on Oct. 8 of the 2022 season, defeating St. Scholastica 77-7. In 15 seasons at the head of the Gustavus Adolphus football program, Haugen has compiled an overall record of 76-64. Haugen, who was the head football coach at Washburn High School for 15 years prior to coming to Gustavus, compiled an overall record of 111-44 during that span, while winning 11 league championships and posting a league record of 76–8. He directed the Millers to the Class AAAA quarterfinals in 2007 finishing with a mark of 9–3. While building the program at Washburn, Haugen increased player participation from 35 players in 1994 to 110 players in 2008. A three-sport standout at Bethel, Haugen was a starting tight end on the football team, a starting goaltender on the hockey team, and a starting catcher on the baseba

Brett Aamot is in his eighth season with the Gustavus football coaching staff in the 2024-25 academic year. Last season, Aamot helped lead the 2023 football team to its first MIAC championship game since 1987, finishing 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. The Gusties, after defeating nationally-ranked No. 7 Saint John's for the first time in 10 years, won the Northwoods Division for the first time since the MIAC's divisional structure was created. Aamot joined the football program in the 2017 season after serving as an assistant varsity offensive coach for the Willmar Cardinals high school football team from 2009-16. Aamot was responsible for coaching running backs and wide receivers for the Cardinals. He now serves on the board of directors for the Willmar football team. Aamot, a 1982 graduate of Gustavus, was a member of the football team under head coach Dennis Raarup as a running back and kick returner. Aamot is the managing partner of Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP, a regional public accounting firm headquartered in Willmar, Minn., and lives in Spicer, Minn. with his wife Kathy. They have two daughters, Bria and Mariel.

Carlin Shoemaker is in his 13th season as a member of the Gustavus Adolphus football coaching staff in the 2024-25 academic year. Shoemaker serves as the team's recruiting coordinator and director of football operations. Shoemaker, alongside head coach Peter Haugen, has helped coach the football program to some of its best seasons in the program's storied history. Shoemaker helped lead the 2023 football team to its first MIAC championship game since 1987, finishing 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. The Gusties, after defeating nationally-ranked No. 7 Saint John's for the first time in 10 years, won the Northwoods Division for the first time since the MIAC's divisional structure was created. Shoemaker previously served as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Gusties. Prior to coming to Gustavus, Shoemaker got his coaching start at St. Cloud State University from 2008-10 as the program's graduate assistant coach. He also served as the team's wide receivers coach. In 2010, Shoemaker found his way to the MIAC, serving as Carleton's quarterbacks coach. After a year in Northfield, he served as the co-offensive coordinator at his alma mater Kenyon College in 2011. Shoemaker, a 2007 graduate of Kenyon, had one of the best receiving careers in the history of Lords football. A two-time captain in 2006 and 2007, Shoemaker made a total of 239 catches for 3,000 yards with 18 receiving touchdowns over his four-year career. His 239 receptions rank third all-time at Ken

Charlie Cosgrove is in his 15th season on the Gustavus football coaching staff in 2023, serving as the team’s offensive coordinator after previously serving as the co-offensive

Dalton Thelen is in his third season as a member of the coaching staff for the Gustavus football team in the 2024-25 academic year. Thelen, a 2022 Gustavus graduate, was a standout football and baseball player for the Gusties. Thelen serves primarily as the wide receivers coach for the Gusties. In his first two years with the Gusties, Thelen has helped the team to a pair of historic seasons. Last season, Thelen helped lead the 2023 football team to its first MIAC championship game since 1987, finishing 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. The Gusties, after defeating nationally-ranked No. 7 Saint John's for the first time in 10 years, won the Northwoods Division for the first time since the MIAC's divisional structure was created. Thelen also worked with standout wide receiver Jake Breitbach in the 2023 season, who became the most decorated player in Gustavus football history. As a player for the Gusties, Thelen played in 36 games as a wide receiver, running back, and kick returner. Thelen ranks eighth in program history with 1806 career receiving yards. His 17 receiving touchdowns are also tied for eighth. He was a two-time MIAC All-Conference selection and was named to the D3football.com All-Region team in 2022 as a kick returner. A 2022 team captain, Thelen was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection. As a member of the Gustie baseball team, Thelen played in 71 games between two seasons in the outfield.

Derek Glynn is in his second season with the Gustavus football coaching staff in the 2024-25 academic year. Glynn serves as the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach for the Gusties, and helped the team to one of its best seasons in his first year. Glynn helped lead the 2023 football team to its first MIAC championship game since 1987, finishing 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. The Gusties, after defeating nationally-ranked No. 7 Saint John's for the first time in 10 years, won the Northwoods Division for the first time since the MIAC's divisional structure was created. Prior to coming to Gustavus, Glynn served as the safeties coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Dubuque, where he also received his graduate degree. As a member of the Spartans' coaching staff, Glynn helped the defensive secondary rank third in the American Rivers Conference in overall passing defense, first in defensive efficiency (111.9), first in A-R-C in interceptions (20), first in A-R-C redzone defense (68.2%) and second in A-R-C total defense (333.9 avg/g) in the 2021 season. A 2019 graduate of Augsburg University, Glynn was a four-year starting linebacker, three-time All-Conference selection and a D3football.com All-Region honoree. He finished his career with 348 tackles, 21.5 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks, seven pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one interception.

Ethan Sindelir is in his second season with the Gustavus football coaching staff in the 2024-25 academic year. In his first year, Sindelir helped lead the 2023 football team to its first MIAC championship game since 1987, finishing 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. The Gusties, after defeating nationally-ranked No. 7 Saint John's for the first time in 10 years, won the Northwoods Division for the first time since the MIAC's divisional structure was created. Sindelir, a 2022 Gustavus graduate, was a member of the football team as a tight end from 2018 to 2022. Sindelir played in 38 games for the Gusties, totaling 449 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in his career. As a student-athlete, Sindelir was a four-time MIAC Academic All-Conference selection, and was named MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2021. He was twice named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society and was a 2022 CSC Academic All-District selection. Sindelir also serves as a second grade teacher in Saint Peter. He has been the JV basketball coach at Saint Peter since 2021.

Landon Rauen '21 is in his fourth year with the Gustavus football coaching staff in the 2024-25 academic year. Rauen transitioned into the role of defensive coordinator in the summer of 2024. Rauen's recruiting territories include southwest Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota. Since graduating in 2021, Rauen has helped the Gusties to two successful seasons as a member of the coaching staff. Rauen helped lead the 2023 football team to its first MIAC championship game since 1987, finishing 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. The Gusties, after defeating nationally-ranked No. 7 Saint John's for the first time in 10 years, won the Northwoods Division for the first time since the MIAC's divisional structure was created. Rauen, working primarily with the Gustie defense in his coaching career, helped the program achieve its first ever MIAC Defensive Player of the Year in Carson DeKam in the 2023 season. DeKam is one of only nine Gustie players to earn All-Conference honors in three seasons. Rauen, a 2021 Gustavus graduate, was a linebacker for the Gustavus football team from 2017-21. He played in 18 games, totaling 35 tackles and collected an interception.

Lyle Opdahl, a 2013 graduate of Gustavus, is in his seventh season as a member of the Gustavus football program. Opdahl joined the coaching staff in 2018 and serves as the team's offensive line coach. Last season, Opdahl helped lead the 2023 football team to its first MIAC championship game since 1987, finishing 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC. The Gusties, after defeating nationally-ranked No. 7 Saint John's for the first time in 10 years, won the Northwoods Division for the first time since the MIAC's divisional structure was created. Opdahl was a member of the Gustavus football team for four years as an offensive lineman. He was a starter through his senior season on an offense that averaged over 300 yards per game. Opdahl was an All-Conference selection in 2013 and a two-time team captain.