WAVERLY, Iowa—Wartburg College’s head football coach and director of athletics, Rick Willis, announced the following changes and additions to the football staff today.
Chris Winter has been promoted to assistant head coach. He will continue to serve as the program's defensive coordinator, the position he has held since 2011. He has coached the defensive backs since 2008. Winter previously served as the wide receivers coach in 2005 and running backs coach in 2006 and 2007. Winter also serves as head strength and conditioning coordinator for the Wartburg athletic department. The 2004 Wartburg graduate concluded his playing career tying the career mark of 159 catches and holds the record for most receiving yardage in a game, compiling 259 yards against Central in 2003. He also shares the single-game touchdown reception mark of four with former standout Ryan Rausch.
Willis commented, “Chris has demonstrated outstanding leadership for several years and in many different ways in our program. We are pleased to recognize his efforts and continue to expand his role with Wartburg football.”
Andrew Hawken has been hired as the linebackers coach replacing Scott Power. He comes to Wartburg from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. where he served in the same role last season. Hawken coached an All-American in Erik Westerberg who was also named the CCIW’s conference defensive player of the year and received First-team All-Conference honors. Hawken was a four-year letter winner at Michigan State where he was a three-year starter at fullback. He was a three-time Big Ten Scholar-Athlete Award winner and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree. He participated in three bowl games during his playing career. The Grandville, Mich. native previously served as the running backs coach at Grandville High School and an assistant coach at Jenison High School, both in Michigan.
Nathan Roach joins the staff as the running backs coach replacing Dan Stiefel. He comes to Wartburg from NCAA Division II power Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. where he spent the last three seasons. He was the running backs coach for the last two seasons and served as a wide receivers coach his first year. Nathan coached three All-Americans in three years. During the six years he was at Northwest Missouri State as both a player and a coach, he was part of four MIAA conference championship teams and six playoff teams, including the national championship in 2009.
“We are excited to welcome Andrew and Nathan to our staff, they both have a lot to offer and have a strong history in highly successful championship programs.” said Willis.
