Vermont State University Castleton Football

Tyler Higley went 3-7 in his first season at the helm of the football program, seeing two receive All-Conference honors, Kevin McDonough to the All-MASCAC First Team and Tyler Buxton to the All-MASCAC Second Team. He kicked off his first season with a victory as the squad reclaimed the Maple Sap Bucket Trophy with a 14-12 victory over Norwich University. He was named Head Coach in 2024 after spending the previous two seasons as Castleton's Defensive Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, and Community Service Coordinator. He has a lengthy coaching career under his belt, completing five seasons on staff with the Spartans and a stint as the Defensive Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Western New England University. Higley's defenses have posted stellar numbers under his tutelage, allowing the fewest points per game in the ECFC in 2022 and the fewest yards per game in the ECFC in 2023. The Spartans had nine defensive players earn All-ECFC accolades over Higley's two seasons as Defensive Coordinator, with seven of those honorees landing First Team recognition. During his playing career at Castleton, Higley was successful on both sides of the ball. He began his career as a quarterback before making the switch to defensive back in his junior season where he earned First Team All-Conference honors from the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference. He still ranks among the top five in program history for career interceptions and pass deflections. He still holds the program's s

Jordan Tolar returned to his alma mater in the fall of 2025 to serve as a graduate assistant. He will work with the running backs and handle video coordination responsibilities. Prior to returning to the Green Mountain State, Tolar served as the running backs and special teams coordinator at Hartwick College. Before that, he coached at the high school level. A 2016 graduate of Castleton, Tolar played for the Spartans from 2013 to 2016. He was a two-time ECFC All-Conference Second Team selection and served as a co-captain during his senior season. A native of Killington, Vt., Tolar is currently pursuing a master's degree in athletic leadership.

Recruiting Areas: Maine, Western Mass, Connecticut, Florida, and National Defense. Kyle Ouillette was named a defensive graduate assistant for the Spartans in

Lukas Carlson was named Defensive Coordinator in the Spring of 2025, following stints as a graduate assistant and two seasons as a positional coach for the team. Carlson joined the Castleton football coaching staff in the fall of 2020 following a four-year playing career for the Spartans. Carlson was a captain for the Spartans in his senior season in 2019, and finished his career with 66 tackles as an outside linebacker. He was also named to the ECFC Academic Honor Roll as a senior. He earned a bachelor's in Sociology from Castleton in 2021 and a master's in Athletic Leadership in 2024.

Wolf enters his third season as a volunteer kicking/punting coach at Castleton and is in his sixth with the football program overall.In 2015, he helped Bobby Lineberger

Zach Brehmeyer joined the Spartan football staff as an assistant coach in the Spring of 2024 after two seasons on staff at Division II Franklin Pierce University. At FPU, Brehmeyer coached various position groups, including offensive line, running backs and tight ends. In 2023, he was the Special Teams Coordinator for the Ravens as well. In addition to his time spent as a football coach at Franklin Pierce, Brehmeyer also spent a year as a Strength & Conditioning staff member for the Ravens. During his time with FPU, he was responsible for recruiting northern New England states, yielding massive results for the Ravens in their home state of New Hampshire. He created weekly game plans for Special Teams and was charged with holding weekly personnel breakdowns for his assigned position groups. Brehmeyer holds a bachelor's degree in Sports and Recreation Management and a master's degree in Sports Management from Franklin Pierce.