WAVERLY, Iowa—North Dakota State's defensive coordinator, Matt Entz, a 1995 Wartburg alum, has been named the 2016 John Kurtt Alumni Coach of the Year.
Entz has served as the linebackers coach in addition to the defensive coordinator at NDSU for three seasons. The Bison won their fourth and fifth straight NCAA National Championships in 2014 and 2015 and moved their streak of Missouri Valley Conference Championships to six during his tenure.

He has coached four All-Conference linebackers and NDSU has finished ranked in the top five in the FCS in all three seasons.

The Bison won 22 consecutive FCS playoff games before a loss to James Madison in the 2016 semifinals.

"Anytime I think about my time at Wartburg and the memories, it always comes back to the friends, professors, family, and coaches I saw on a daily basis," said Entz. "I would be remised if I did not mention in detail a few of the specific memories I have of my time at Wartburg. 

"I was so fortunate to be part of Bob Nielson's first recruiting class for Wartburg football," he continued. "My entire four year career with the football program gave me to this day my best friend (Corbin Payne, '94) and numerous other great friends.  My daily interaction with Coach Nielson and his football staff is the primary reason I am in coaching today.  It was easy to see that there was room to be a great coach, husband, and community member while striving to be a champion on the field.  All of these former coaches exemplified how student-athletes where to be treated while still demanding a high level of execution.  I learned a lot about football at Wartburg, but the life skills associated with being a part of Wartburg Football are things I still use to this day and attempt to pass on to my current players.

After my eligibility had finished, I had the opportunity to be a student-coach for Coach Nielson.  What a tremendous experience for a 23 year old, having the ability to sit in staff meetings, game plan meetings, and assist with practice.  Those six months verified my desire to become a college football coach. Since this experience at Wartburg in the fall of 1994, I was blessed to work with Coach Nielson again at Western Illinois in 2013, and again it was another learning experience that I will forever be grateful for.

I feel I need to mention the following as they all played a role in my development in my career and to not mention them would be inappropriate: Marcus Newsom, Joel Holst, Roger Britson, Randy Moore, Bob Pagel, Terry Goetzinger, Don Erusha, and Jerry Alberts."

When asked what his favorite memory from Wartburg is, he replied, "this question is unique for me. My time on the Wartburg campus started much earlier than 1991, the year I arrived as a freshman.  My family has been involved with Wartburg College for four generations. Both of my parents graduated from Wartburg. I also have two grandparents that are alums (Richard Gronewold, '37 & Hiltrude Braulick, '37) and lived in Waverly during my younger years and even through my college years.

"Lastly, I had a great grandfather who was President at Wartburg, Edward Braulick (1935-1945)," Entz continued. "This does not mention the numerous cousins and friends that attended Wartburg.  All I knew growing up was coming to Waverly and visiting my grandparents and eventually finding myself on campus, at a football game with my dad and grandpa, or attending Christmas at Wartburg or other productions on campus. I would even spend a week in the summer at the Buzz Levick basketball camps during my elementary and middle school years. I guess you could say I was destined to be a Knight. 

I have to mention my favorite Professor, Dr. Roy Ventullo.  If I remember correctly, his nickname at the time was "Ace Ventullo" based on the recent movie at the time. I had him for two or three classes late in my education at Wartburg. However, my favorite class was his microbiology class and he was my advisor for my capstone project. His energy and passion for the subject matter and the students was second to none. His countless hours in Becker Hall assisting me and numerous other students cannot go un-noticed. 

Other events and memories that always conger up great stories, when we get back together would have to be May Terms, the football trip to Germany, burritos at the Knight Hawk after a Knight win with teammates and families, attending Chapel during the week, going to wrestling matches, Luther basketball Games, and the daily interaction of all those people who lived in Ottersburg."

The John Kurtt Alumni Coach of the Year award has been given to a college alumni involved in coaching in either the high school or collegiate ranks each year since 1962. A final presentation of this award will be given at a later date.

"I did know Coach Kurtt," said Entz. "I had the privilege to know him quite well in my time at Wartburg.  I had him for a course or two in the Health Department.  He was always someone on campus who would stop you and ask how practice was going, quiz you on last week's game or your upcoming event.  I had a close relationship with the Kurtt family.  One of my suite mates in Ottersburg (one of the Manors), Dave Leonhart's grandpa, was Coach Kurtt's brother."
 

PAST RECIPIENTS
2016- Matt Entz 2015- Jerry Albert 2014- Patrick Hennes 2013- Renae Hartl 2012- Nick Mitchell 2011 - Bob Nielson 2010 - Corey Carlson 2009 - Marty Thomae 2008 - Rick Brooks 2007 - Kori Stoffregen 2006 - Doug Hall 2004-05 - Cindy Suess 2003 - Tom Lilly 2002 - Ross Grafft 2001 - Jack Denholm 2000 - Bob Mudd	1999- Dick Basham 1998 - Stu Fritz 1997 - Bob Bunting 1996 - Don Oleson 1995 - Bob Nielson 1994 - Larry Croghan 1993 - John Kurtt 1992 - Bret Hoyer 1991 - Dave Arns 1990 - Tom Manchester 1989 - Scott Brees 1988 - Mark Guthrie/Diane Paynter 1987 - Tom Schleicher 1986 - Gerald Heying 1985 - Larry Moklestad 1984 - Bill Nelson 1983 - Roger Buchholz 1982 - Bob Bye 1981 - Reece Morgan 1980 - Jim Arjes	1978 - Larry Strom/Jim Hotz/Steve Kohn 1977 - Larry Niemann 1976 - Virg Erickson 1975 - Roger Zehr 1974 - Waldo Platte 1973 - Merlyn Thorsen 1972 - Roger Kittleson 1971 - Jim Borcherding 1970 - Don Riggenberg 1969 - Chuck Nichol 1968 - Eldon Ott 1967 - Stan Kittleson 1966 - Paul Bruns 1965 - Roger Klingman 1964 - John Kurtt 1963 - Arnold Brandt 1962 - Maynard Mitgaard