Centennial Celebration of Champions 1918 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission Statement 2017 WSU Football Media Guide Wayne State University believes that intercollegiate athletics are The 2017 Wayne State University Football Media Guide is a table of contents an important and wholesome adjunct to the principal purposes of publication of the WSU Sports Information Office. The media guide General Information the University: (1) the advancement of knowledge through research was written and edited by SID Jeff Weiss with assistance from Cameron Media Information...... 2 and investigation; and (2) the dissemination of knowledge through Weidenthaler, Hope Winkles and Mike Feld. Front and back cover City of Detroit...... 3 teaching. To that end, participants in intercollegiate athletics must designs and layout by Amanda St. Juliana. Photography by Mark President M. Roy Wilson...... 4 be, first and foremost, students whose fundamental aim is to obtain Hicks (WestSide Photographic), Mike Quillinan (Senior Bowl), Chuck Athletics Director Rob Fournier...... 5 a sound education. Andersen, Jason Clark, Madison Weiss, Paul Medenbach, Michael A major mission of the University is to achieve an increasing level of Dubicki and Mason Matthews. Media Guide information is current Coaches/Staff excellence in the quality of its programs and to enhance the visibility through September 1, 2017. Head Coach Paul Winters...... 6-7 and recognition of the University as a whole. Students who participate Assistant Coaches...... 8-11 in intercollegiate athletics are directly involved in the implementation Athletic Department Directory of this mission of excellence, and by such participation, provide a Director of Athletics...... Rob Fournier Team Information unifying objective of community and University. Executive Senior Associate AD/Football...... Jason Clark 2017 Outlook...... 12-13 Wayne State University believes that a well-balanced program Chief of Staff...... Theresa Arist Alphabetical Roster...... 14-15 in intercollegiate sports is important so long as it remains in proper Senior Associate AD/Business Affairs...... Mary Beth Buchan Depth Chart...... 15 focus as an ancillary of the real purposes of the University; so long as Associate AD for Academic Support/SWA...... Candice Howard Numerical Roster...... 16 it remains under academic control; so long as the players are bona fide Associate AD/Mort Harris Rec Center...... Rob Latva Comcast/Xfinity Channel 900...... 16 students; and so long as the coaches strive to instill qualities of honesty, Assistant AD for Facilities...... Jim Campbell WDTK (1400 AM/101.5 FM)/Winters on Wednesdays...... 17 sportsmanship and clean play. Assistant AD for Harwell/Multipurpose Indoor Fac...... Paul Harker Offensive Players...... 18-37 Assistant AD for Development...... Lauren Lepkowski Special Teams (Kickers)...... 38-40 On The Cover Assistant AD for Compliance and NCAA Liaison...... Kelsey Meyers Defensive Players...... 41-58 The 2017 Wayne State University football media guide front cover Assistant AD/Mort Harris Rec Center...... Bob Ostrowski Home Attendance Records For Adams Field...... 55 highlights this year’s theme of “Experience Tradition” as this is the Assistant AD for Marketing/Promotions...... Nicole Stoll Recruits/Newcomers...... 59-68 100th season of football at WSU. Athletic Development Coordinator...... Maggie Myers Creative Services Coordinator...... Amanda St. Juliana GLIAC/Opponent Information Asst. Compliance Coordinator/SAAC Coordinator...... Ashley Casavant School Information GLIAC History/2017 GLIAC Composite Schedule...... 69-70 Athletics Academic Advisor...... Kim Clexton Location...... Detroit, Michigan 48202 2017 Opponent Information...... 71-76 Accounting Specialist...... Linda Letkowski Founded...... 1868 Schools in Super Region 4/All-Time Series Records...... 76-77 Assistant Manager/Facilities...... Mike Flynn Enrollment...... 25,461 (15,769 undergraduate) Series Scores vs. 2017 Opponents...... 77-78 Supervisor/Intramurals...... Melanie Stawkey Nickname/Colors...... Warriors/Green (561) and Gold (1245) Athletics Business Operations Assistant...... Justin Munson President...... Dr. M. Roy Wilson 2016 Season Athletic Attendants...... Rick Renaud and Terrance Woods Faculty Athletics Representative...... Robert M. Ackerman Game Summaries...... 79-81 Marketing Graduate Assistant...... Lynday Butler Athletics Phone...... 313-577-4280 Team/Individual Statistics...... 82-86 GLIAC Standings/Football History/Award Winners...... 87-88 Athletic Trainig Staff ootball nformation F I Associate AD/Head Athletic Trainer...... Michael Chan History Affiliation/Conf...... NCAA Division II/GLIAC Associate Athletic Trainer...... Steve Domzalski All-League Selections...... 89 Stadium...... WSU Stadium/Adams Field Assistant Athletic Trainer...... Jessica McNally All-Academic Selections/GLIAC Commissioner’s Award...... 90 Capacity/Turf...... 6,439/FieldTurf Assistant Athletic Trainer...... Andrew Stoll Senior All-Star Game...... 91 Head Coach/Phone...... Paul Winters/313-577-4288 Assistant Athletic Trainer...... Erin Brown All-Americans/Harlon Hill/Gene Upshaw...... 92 Overall Record/WSU Record...... 76-69 (13 years)/Same Assistant Athletic Trainer...... Andrea Chilcote All-Region/National Players of the Week...... 93 Office Phone...... 313-577-4288 Athletic Training Graduate Intern...... Brianna Gauna WSU’s Professional Players...... 94 2016 Overall Record/GLIAC...... 7-4/7-4 Athletic Training Intern...... Taylor Pitts Academic Success...... 95 GLIAC Finish...... T-5th overall/3rd in North Division Team Awards...... 96-97 Starters Returning/Lost...... 9/13 Strength and Conditioning Coaches WSU Individual/Team Records...... 98-106 Offense...... 5/6 Longest Plays/Annual Leaders...... 107-108 Defense...... 4/7 Associate AD/Strength & Conditioning Coach...... Ruben Mendoza Strength & Conditioning Supervisor...... Eric Overland WSU Football Hall of Fame Inductees...... 109 Special Teams (Kickers and Punters)...... 1/1 Year-By-Year Record...... 110 Letterwinners Returning/Lost...... 40/27 Asst. Strength & Conditioning Coach...... John Norcott Graduate Asst. Strength & Conditioning Coach...... Cody Vargo All-Time Captains List (alphabetical)...... 111 Offense...... 20/11 Winters vs. Opponents/Record by Decade...... 112 Defense...... 19/15 Year-By-Year Scores...... 113-115 Special Teams...... 1/1 Media Relations Homecoming Scores...... 116 Director/Senior Associate AD...... Jeff Weiss 2015 Letterwinners Returning...... 5 All-Time Letterwinners...... 117-120 E-mail...... [email protected] (Baker, Garvin, Graham, Mazur, Van Tubbergen) Top Crowds/Notable Streaks/2017 Team Picture...... 121 Office...... 313-577-7542 Newcomers (Freshmen/Transfers)...... 38 (30/8) WSU Football Locker Project...... 122 Cell...... 419-367-1627 All-Time Coaching Records...... 123 Assistant Director...... Cameron Weidenthaler Assistant Coaches E-mail...... [email protected] Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary...... Lou West Wayne State Office...... 313-577-2299 Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line/...... This is Wayne State...... 124 Graduate Intern...... Mike Feld Recruiting Coordinator...... Scott Kazmierski WSU Academics...... 125 Office...... 313-577-2495 Wide Receivers...... Alex Gray WSU Athletic Dept. Staff/Football Support Staff/”W”...... 126-129 Digital Media Intern...... Ben Corona Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks...... Jeff Reardon Tom Adams Field...... 130 Web site...... wsuathletics.com Linebackers...... Jon Robinson Joique Bell Jersey Retirement...... 130 Press Box Phone...... 313-577-4254 Running Game Coordinator/Offensive Line...... Scott Wooster Sports Medicine/Strength and Conditioning...... 131 Facebook...... wsuwarriors Graduate Assistant - Tight Ends...... Cheyne Lacanaria 2017 Wayne State Schedule/Marching Band...... 132 Twitter...... waynestwarriors Graduate Assistant - Defensive Backs...... Joe Johnson WSU Athletic Hall of Fame Members...... 133 YouTube...... waynestateathletics Graduate Assistant - Offensive Line...... Ed Reny Cheerleaders/Dance Team...... 134 Mailing Address...... 5101 John C Lodge, 101 Matthaei Volunteer Assistant - Defensive Line...... Ronald Talley WSU Award Winners...... IBC ...... Detroit, MI 48202 Volunteer Assistant - Linebackers...... Matt Johnston 2017 Schedule...... BC Student Assistant - Running Backs...... Desmond Martin
2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 1 1918 2018 Centennial Celebration of Champions MEDIA INFORMATION INFORMATION DIRECTIONS TO WSU STADIUM/ADAMS FIELD Press BOX services Wayne State football releases and other information can be accessed via From the West – Take I-94 East. Exit at Trumbull Avenue. Turn right onto Trumbull Programs, game notes and other pertinent information will be supplied in the the Internet. Log on to wsuathletics.com to receive information on all 18 Avenue, then left onto Warren Avenue. Parking is in Lot 50 off Warren Avenue. press box, located at the top of the Stadium’s west side. A complete box score intercollegiate sports. The football site includes a schedule, roster, all press From the East – Take I-94 West. Exit at Woodward/Brush Avenues. Remain on and play-by-play will be available shortly after the completion of the game. releases (usually in portable document format [.pdf] as well as text format) and Ford Service Drive to Woodward Avenue. Turn left onto Woodward Avenue, results (including game summaries), as well as up-to-date statistics. going south to Warren Avenue. Turn right onto Warren Avenue. Continue west Post-game interviews on Warren Avenue to Lodge Freeway (M 10) overpass. Lot 50 is located on your A post-game press conference will be held approximately 20 minutes after credentials right just past the overpass. the conclusion of the game. WSU coach Paul Winters and selected players will Press and photo credentials for Warrior football games should be requested AT From the North – Take I-75 South to Warren Avenue exit. Turn right onto Warren be available in the team meeting room located in the WSU Football Building. LEAST ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE. Seating is limited to working press only. Requests Avenue. Continue west on Warren Avenue to Lodge Freeway (M 10) overpass. should be directed to Jeff Weiss, SID, WSU Sports Information Office, 5101 John C. Lot 50 is located just past the overpass. From the South – Take I-75 North to Lodge Freeway (M 10) North. Exit at Forest/ VISITING RADIO Lodge, 101 Matthaei, Detroit, MI 48202. The one entrance is through the ticket Visiting radio stations will receive one phone line for their game broadcasts in Warren Avenues. Turn left onto Warren Avenue (2nd light). Cross over Lodge booths located at the south end of the stadium. the second tier of the WSU Press Box. Freeway and turn right into Lot 50. INTERVIEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS RADIO All interviews with players and coaches should be arranged through the The flagship station of Wayne State University football is WDTK (1400 AM/101.5 Only those accredited photographers working on assignment will be issued Sports Information Office. Please allow at least 24 hours to set up interviews. FM) in Detroit. All WSU football games can be heard live on the internet at credentials from the Sports Information Office. Photographers are allowed to Arrangements will be made for telephone and in-person interviews at a patriotdetroit.com. mutually-agreeable time. shoot from the 30-yard line to the back of the end zone on both sides of the field. Photographers are not allowed on the game field or at the bench areas during contests. INTERNET VIDEO PARKING All 2017 Wayne State University football home games will be available online Media parking for WSU Stadium/Adams Field is located in Lot 50 off Warren through wsuathletics.com via Warriors All-Access. Avenue just south of the stadium’s ticket booths. KEY WSU MEDIA OUTLETS NEWSPAPERS 2017 Travel Plans DETROIT FREE PRESS George Sipple, Sports Writer WALSH (SEPT. 1-2) 160 W. Fort St., Detroit, MI 48226 Phone: (313) 222-6660 Holiday Inn - Belden Village freep.com 4520 Everhard Road NW Canton, Ohio 44718 DETROIT NEWS Jim Russ, Sports Editor 330-494-2770 615 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226 Phone: (313) 222-2260 TIFFIN (SEPT. 22-23) detnews.com Drury Inn and Suites THE SOUTH END The 2017-18 school year will mark the eighth season 820 W Trenton Ave. Sports Editor of Warrior All-Access at wsuathletics.com Findlay, Ohio 45840 5221 Gullen Mall 419-422-9700 Room 369 Student Center Building Not only will all home WSU football, basketball, Detroit, MI 48202 Phone: (313) 577-3496 volleyball and softball games be available for viewing FERRIS STATE (SEPT. 29-30) thesouthend.wayne.edu by a world wide audience on a pay-per-view basis, Holiday Inn 1005 Perry Ave. RADIO but also other videos featuring interviews with WSU Sean Baligian coaches and staff, and student-athletes. Big Rapids, Mich. 49307 WSU Play-by-Play Announcer 231-796-4400 Wayne State University Fans wanting to watch Wayne State events via 5101 John C Lodge, 101 Matthaei Warrior All-Access will need a high-speed internet Detroit, MI 48202 MICHIGAN TECH (OCT. 20-21) connection and Google Chrome is the suggested web Magnuson Franklin Square Inn WWJ RADIO (950 AM) browser. Games will be sold on an individual basis with 820 Shelden Avenue Tony Ortiz, Sports Houghton, Mich. 49931 26495 American Drive, Southfield, MI 48034 special viewing packages also available. Phone: (248) 945-9950 906-487-1700 detroit.cbslocal.com Warrior All-Access will also feature On-Demand Audio and Video with the stored archived video and DAVENPORT (NOV. 10-11) TELEVISION WDIV-TV (NBC-Channel 4) audio on wsuathletics.com. Holiday Inn Grand Rapids - Airport Bernie Smilovitz, Sports Director 3063 Lake Eastbrook 622 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48231 Grand Rapids, MI 49512 Phone: (313) 222-0504 616-285-7600 clickondetroit.com
WJBK-TV (Fox-Channel 2) Dan Miller, Sports Director TRAVEL NOTES 16550 West Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 Phone: (248) 552-5144 • Days listed indicate departure from/return to WSU fox2detroit.com • For all five trips, the team will depart from WSU the day before the game and return immediately following the game WXYZ-TV (ABC-Channel 7) • The Warriors will travel to all road contests via bus Brad Galli, Sports Director PO Box 789, Southfield, MI 48037 • The travel schedule is subject to change Phone: (248) 827-9420 wxyz.com
2 2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE Centennial Celebration of Champions 1918 2018 CITY OF DETROIT DETROIT PROFILE Population City: 677,116 (2015 (2014) Metropolitan Area: 3,866,479 (Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties – U.S. Census Bureau 2015) U.S. CMSA Rank: 12th (Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint CMSA) Founded: July 24, 1701 (incorporated, 1815)
Television Market: 11th Fortune 500 Company Headquarters: 13 Mayor: Mike Duggan
• Major Industry – Internationally known for automobile manufacturing and trade, the world headquarters of General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Company and Chrysler LLC are located in metro Detroit. The area ranks as a leader in the production of alternative fuel, auto manufacturing and life science. The area ranks as a leader in the production of paints, non-electrical machinery and automation equipment, as well as pharmaceutical, rubber products, synthetic resins and garden seed. Other national and international corporations Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers and the 2005 MLB All-Star Game. headquartered here include The Budd Company, American National Resources, Kelly Services, SBC, Federal Mogul and Kmart, plus pizza Famous Detroiters Robin Williams, actor, comedian giants Domino’s, Hungry Howie’s and Little Caesars. These companies Tim Allen, actor, comedian Stevie Wonder, singer, songwriter employ more than 2 million metro Detroiters. Anita Baker, singer Eminem (b. Marshall Mathers), singer Francis Ford Coppola, film director, producer Kid Rock (b. Robert James Ritchie), singer Land Area Henry Ford, inventor Bob Seger, singer City: 138.8 square miles Rosa Parks, activist Metropolitan: 1,337 square miles Aretha Franklin, singer • The Detroit Metro Sports Commission (DMSC) markets and sells Elevation: 581 feet above sea level at Detroit River Thomas Hearns, boxer metro Detroit as a premier destination for regional, national and Casey Kasem, radio star international amateur sporting events. Average Snowfall: 41.1 inches Charles Lindbergh, pilot Mean Annual Temperature: 48.6 Lone Ranger, radio star who debuted on WWJ Radio • The Detroit area has a long, successful history of hosting a variety of Joe Louis, boxer tournaments and events including NCAA, AAU and USSSA events. Metro Fun Facts About Detroit Madonna, actress, singer Detroit was the location for the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star • is home to the Motown sound founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1957 Smokey Robinson, singer, songwriter game, Super Bowl XL in 2006, the 2009 NCAA Basketball Final Four, • is the potato chip capital of the world, based on consumption Diana Ross, actress, singer the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four and the 2017 AAU Junior Olympic • has country’s largest island park within a city – Belle Isle Park Tom Selleck, actor Games. • is home to the world’s only floating post office, the J.W. Westcott II, can be found on the Detroit River • is home to one of the largest flower-bedding markets in the world – Eastern Market • is second in the nation in the sale of fishing rods • is home to one of the tallest hotels in the Western Hemisphere – the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, at 73 stories • receives freighters from more than 100 world ports on the Detroit River • has the most registered bowlers in the United States • is the oldest city in the Midwest, and the only one from which one can look south to Canada. • The Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit with Windsor (Ontario, Canada) is one of the longest international suspension bridges in the world. • Detroit has Henry Ford, the man who put America on wheels, to thank for the advent of snack food. He allowed workers on his assembly line to take short breaks, which led to the trend of workers purchasing small bags of food that could be quickly consumed. • The Eastern Market, a major commercial food distribution center famous for the quality, freshness and variety of its produce, meat, fish and even flowers, has been in existence since 1892. • In 1915, the first Kiwanis Club began in Detroit. • was the first city in the nation to assign individual telephone numbers in 1879 • The Sporting News named Detroit the Best Sports City in 2007. • Detroit’s community gardens produce 200 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables per year. Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions and Super Bowl XL.
2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 3 1918 2018 Centennial Celebration of Champions PRESIDENT M. ROY WILSON pipeline of underrepresented students toward science Previously, he was dean of the School of Medicine careers. As part of this strategy, he formed a coalition and vice president for health sciences at Creighton of Detroit-based universities and colleges to launch University, president of the Texas Tech University the NIH-funded Building Infrastructure Leading to Health Sciences Center, and concurrently, chancellor Diversity (BUILD) Program at the university in 2015. of the University of Colorado Denver and chair of the Enhancing the student experience has been high Board of Directors of University of Colorado Hospital. on President Wilson’s agenda. Campus beautification President Wilson also chaired the Board of Directors efforts have included the $26.5 million renovation of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and of the Student Center Building and the redesigned Science and was acting president during part of that green space surrounding Fountain Court. Plans have time. been made to expand student housing in order to President Wilson’s research has focused on accommodate a growing demand for on-campus glaucoma and blindness in populations from the housing as part of the Midtown neighborhood’s Caribbean to West Africa. He was elected a lifetime revitalization. member of the National Academy of Medicine in In an effort to increase the diversity of Wayne 2003. He received his undergraduate degree from State’s campus, President Wilson created the position Allegheny College, an M.S. in epidemiology from of Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion UCLA, and an M.D. from Harvard Medical School. and Chief Diversity Officer in 2014. He also created Additional honors include the American Academy the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement of Ophthalmology’s Senior Achievement Award, the Dr. M. Roy Wilson became the 12th president to provide an inclusive environment and promote Distinguished Physician Award from the Minority of Wayne State University on August 1, 2013. awareness initiatives that encourage academic Health Institute, the Herbert W. Nickens Award Since assuming leadership, President Wilson has success for underrepresented minorities and from the Association of American Medical Colleges, realigned the university’s numerous research historically marginalized students. the NIH Director’s Award, and the Cato T. Laurencin divisions to emphasize team science and cluster Prior to joining Wayne State, President Wilson Distinguished Research Career Award from the hiring of scientists. This effort was reflected in the served as deputy director for strategic scientific National Medical Association. He received an organization of the science teams in the $90 million planning and program coordination at the National honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Allegheny IBio multidisciplinary research facility, which opened Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of College in 2016. in 2015. He also developed a strategy to improve the the National Institutes of Health.
Wayne State University Board of Governors
Michael Diane L. Mark Marilyn David A. Sandra Hughes Dana Kim Busuito Dunaskiss Gaffney Kelly Nicholson O’Brien Thompson Trent (Vice Chair) (Chair)
4 2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE Centennial Celebration of Champions 1918 2018 ATHLETICS DIRECTOR ROB FOURNIER Fifteen (15) of WSU’s 17 athletic programs (women’s package to WSU media outreach. He also added the indoor and outdoor track is counted as one) have athletic department’s first website, a quarterly magazine cumulative grade-point averages above 3.00 with a (Warrior Within) and a weekly coach’s show (Winters on composite cumulative GPA of all WSU student-athletes at Wednesdays). He also directs and oversees the University’s 3.21. The annual NCAA Federally-mandated graduation intramural and club sport programs and the Mort Harris rate (five year) for WSU student-athletes is at an all-time Recreation and Fitness Center. high of 76 percent which has risen over 30 percent in Furthermore, Wayne State is the only school in the Fournier’s tenure from programs such as: survival skills, country to designate a week of activities to promote connect-mentoring and learning specialists! Women’s Athletics as “W” Week will be having its ninth In addition, in the last 12 months, WSU student-athletes annual celebration in April 2018 highlighted by “W” Day. contributed an exemplary 10,136 community service hours The addition of new programs in women’s indoor volunteering at a variety of Detroit initiatives. In the past and outdoor track and field, and women’s golf follows six years alone, student-athletes have committed 60,630 an internal gender-equity plan designed to better community service hours with such programs as Habitat opportunities. For Humanity, University Prep Elementary, Capuchin Soup Fournier served three years (2005-06-07) as a member Kitchen and Warming Center, Adopt a Family Thanksgiving of the NCAA regional-ranking football committee whose Basket, Basic Needs Drive, Be The Match Donor Registry, responsibilities include selecting the top teams in the Covenant House Michigan, NSO (Neighborhood Service region each week and the teams that advance to the Organization), SOCKS in the City, L.I.N.K. Mentoring (Local postseason. He also spent five seasons (2009-10-11-12- Intervention Network for Kids, S.M.A.R.T.S. Mentoring, 17) on the NCAA softball regional ranking committee, and Since Rob Fournier was named Director of Athletics at Big Brother Big Sisters, Make-A-Wish Foundation, COTS, will serve as the regional representative on the national Wayne State University on September 1, 2000, a lot has Toys for Tots, Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners Food Bank and committee in 2018. He currently serves as a member of changed. In those 17 years, the department’s competitive Manhood Mentoring Project to name only some of the the GLIAC Awards/Honors Committee, and previously success, classroom achievements, community outreach programs. served on the finance committee, the infractions initiatives and the physical structure of the athletic campus The conference recognized those achievements with an committee, the scheduling committee and the long-range has seen a significant transformation. That development unprecedented association’s honor of the Sportsmanship budget planning committee. has followed a strategic plan that models business Award and Community Service Award in 2013. Prior to joining Wayne State, Fournier served as the forecasting and has realized defined goals/objectives. The The rise in both academic average and community Senior Associate Commissioner and general counsel results are well-documented. outreach has been dramatic, consistent and for the Mid-American Conference. While serving as the That competitive success is evident in Wayne State’s unprecedented. In addition, in the latest federally- acting Commissioner of the Conference (1999), he moved national standing against all Division II institutions. WSU’s mandated graduation rate report, it noted WSU student- the league office from Toledo to Cleveland, wrote and 16 best finishes in the prestigious NACDA Cup standings athletes received an undergraduate degree at a rate 217 secured a long-term contract for the men’s basketball (which measures the overall competitive success of percent higher than the comparable campus population. tournament at Quicken Loans Arena and secured the three athletic programs around the country) have all occurred in These, and other academic achievements, are recognized largest corporate gifts in the history of the MAC including the last 16 years including the three highest marks ever in at the annual academic banquet, which he started in 2001 First Energy as the tournament sponsor for the men’s the past nine years – 11th in 2009, 14th in 2014 and 21st and combines a salute to the University’s faculty. postseason basketball tournament. in 2010. Those finishes secured an unprecedented top four Fournier’s ability to generate private and corporate He also wrote and negotiated the initial Motor City Bowl (4%), top five (5%) and top seven (7%) percent ranking support has dramatically altered the physical setting football contract that is the MAC’s longest postseason Bowl among all Division II athletic programs in the country. of the athletic campus and the practice/competitive alignment. As the chief compliance officer for the league, Seven athletic teams advanced to the NCAA tournament opportunities for WSU student-athletes. Fournier investigated and reported on over 350 infraction last season. In his 17 years, he has secured $16,176,136 in revenue for cases that insured fairness in case resolution and corrective Additionally, in those 17 years, 44 WSU coaches have the athletic department. That total has helped complete action. At the request of institutions, he has appeared been named conference coach of the year while five have the following facility initiatives: football locker room; before the NCAA Committee on Infractions and conducted gone on to be distinguished as National Coach of the Year. multipurpose indoor facility; new men’s and women’s campus reviews of compliance effectiveness in financial In 2012, the women’s swimming and diving program won basketball coaches offices and film room; baseball’s replica aid, rules education, eligibility and institutional control. the first national title since women’s fencing in 1989. Fenway Park baseball stadium which displays the former He has served as liaison to various NCAA committees for Football had its best season ever in 2011 reaching the Tiger Stadium scoreboard on its famous “Green Monster” which the conference held cabinet positions. The MAC Division II national championship game. facade; softball locker room and coaches offices, along presidents recognized Fournier’s achievements when they During Fournier’s tenure at WSU, Warrior athletic teams with a grandstand, walkway and press box; a Boston unanimously conferred a Certificate of Commendation and have won 35 conference regular-season titles, 12 league Garden-like parquet floor for basketball; Hall of Fame a mark of esteem for his efforts in 1999. tournament titles and 10 postseason regional, super foyer; swimming video board, pool deck and bleachers A licensed attorney, he received his bachelor’s degree regional or national titles. in the natatorium; football ticket booths and stadium summa cum laude and his master’s with honors from the For his efforts, Fournier was honored by NACDA as the entrance; outdoor marquee; FieldTurf football field; a new University of Akron. He was a national forensics champion Athletics Director of the Year in the Central Region in 2008. outdoor track; scoreboards for baseball and football with and qualified for the national finals in six events. Fournier Last year WSU had twenty-six (26) All-Americans. In a video display; trainer’s treatment areas; and new USTA also received his law degree from Akron in 1986 and was the past 10 years, 292 Warriors have been named All- outdoor tennis courts with scoreboard. Just this past year, admitted to the Ohio bar that same year where he is still Americans. In the 100 years of WSU Athletics, 396 of the final two million dollars for the Harwell Stadium was licensed to practice. the 617 all-time All-Americans have been honored since secured and a new $600,000 football locker room addition Fournier arrived. was completed. The physical transformation has been Another strategic measurement continues to be both noticeable and imaginative, and boasts a number of noteworthy. The 2016-17 academic year continued both cosmetic infrastructure changes as well. academic achievement and community volunteerism. Fournier added a radio and statewide television
2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 5 1918 2018 Centennial Celebration of Champions HEAD COACH PAUL WINTERS Serxho Guraleci/Ultimate Warrior for his outstanding work in purpose yards (7,880), points (550), total TDs (74), extra the weight room. Rabeah Beydoun was a GLIAC All-Academic points (70), kickoff returns for a touchdown (3), interception Excellence Team honoree along with being recognized by the return yards (401), tackles for loss (109/84 solo + 50 asst.), National Football Foundation with Hampshire Honor Society quarterback sacks (48.0/40 solo + 16 asst.) and pass break- accolades. Three other running backs (Jason McCauslin, ups (54) -- Wayne State also became the first NCAA Division II Deiontae Nicholas and Demetrius Stinson) were named to the school to play 16 games in a season, and the only one heading Academic All-GLIAC Team for 2015. into the 2016 campaign. The previous year, Winters had 26 student-athletes named Winters became the school’s all-time football wins leader to the 2014 Academic All-GLIAC teams with 15 players when the Warriors recorded a double-overtime victory at earning All-GLIAC accolades. His squad was extremely Hillsdale on Oct. 22, 2011. disciplined ranking seventh in the nation in fewest penalties The 2011 senior class compiled a 35-14 mark surpassing per game (4.45). In addition, senior linebacker Nores Fradi the previous wins mark of 30 by the 1978 class. In addition, was voted GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year and a AFCA First 30 members of the 2011 national finalist squad received Team All-American. conference all-academic accolades. For the 2013 campaign, he had 24 student-athletes named In 2010, WSU set then school records for overall wins to the Academic All-GLIAC teams with six players earning (9), conference wins (8), points in a season (347), passing All-GLIAC accolades. His squad was extremely disciplined completion percentage (59.9%), and yards per pass attempt ranking fourth in the nation in fewest penalties per game (7.67), while tying the institutional mark for touchdowns in (3.27) and fifth in penalty yards per game (30.55). a season (45). Paul Winters will begin his 14th season as the Wayne State In the 2012 season finale, he equaled the school mark for All these accomplishments plus a 12th-place ranking in University head football coach in the fall of 2017. He was games coached (101) by a WSU football coach. He had 26 the final regular-season AFCA national poll earned Winters named to the AFCA Board of Trustees in January of 2017. student-athletes receive Academic All-GLIAC honors along the AFCA Division II Regional Coach of the Year award. Winters led the Warriors to their eighth winning with 11 players being named to the All-GLIAC teams. His 2010 offense ranked 30th nationally in rushing (194.73 campaign in the last nine years in 2016 along with a school After guiding the winningest team in school history in yards per game), 45th in scoring (31.55 points per game), record 39 student-athletes receiving Academic All-GLIAC 2011, he was honored for his efforts with the AFCA (American 46th in passing efficiency (135.41) and 59th in total offense recognition. In addition, a school record seven seniors Football Coaches Association) NCAA Division II National Coach (381.00 yards per game). received membership into the National Football Foundations of the Year award. Jones became the first WSU defensive player to earn First Hampshire Honor Society. His 2011 squad set the school record for overall wins Team All-America honors in school history following the 2010 WSU led the GLIAC and was 13th nationally in fourth- (12) and road wins (8), while winning four consecutive campaign. down defense (27.8 percent), while ranking 16th in kickoff road playoff games to reach the national title contest. In The two-time GLIAC Coach of the Year (2006 and 2008), return average (24.00 yards per return), which was best in the addition, senior left tackle Joe Long was the recipient of the Winters led the Warriors to four consecutive winning seasons GLIAC. The Warriors were sixth nationally (first in the GLIAC) Gene Upshaw Award as the top lineman (both offensive and (2008-11) for the first time since 1974-78. in both red zone defense (61.8 percent) and rushing offense defensive) in Division II. Senior running back Josh Renel was a (273.4 yards per game). First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America selection becoming His 2015 squad was extremely disciplined ranking fifth in the first football CoSIDA Academic All-American since 1975. the nation in fewest penalty yards per game (36.18). The Senior safety Jeremy Jones along with six other teammates WSU offense ranked 18th nationally in yards per completion earned All-America accolades for the 2011 season. (14.83), 21st in red zone offense (86.8%), 33rd in time of The Warriors ranked in the top 40 nationally in eight possession (31:44) and 43rd in rushing offense (194.0 yards different categories for the 2011 campaign -- ninth in fewest per game). sacks allowed (0.94 per game), 14th in sacks (3.00 per game), Sophomore running back Romello Brown was sixth in the 23rd in scoring offense (34.38 ppg), 26th in passing efficiency nation in rushing touchdowns (19) and 16th in total rushing (144.02), 33rd in rushing offense (200.56 ypg), 37th in yards (1,287), while true freshman quarterback D.J. Zezula turnover margin (+0.56 per game), 39th in rushing defense was 13th in yards per completion (15.01) and Anthony (123.31 ypg), and 40th in kickoff returns (21.62 ypr). DeDamos led all GLIAC linebackers in tackles for loss (1.5 per In addition to setting the following single-season school game). records -- rushing yards (3,209), rushing attempts (699), Brown was a Second Team All-GLIAC selection as well as rushing TDs (43), passing efficiency rating (144.0), average WSU’s Offensive Most Valuable Player. He also received the yards per pass attempt (8.4), total offense (6,083), all- Winters’ Year-by-Year Head Coaching Record Year Games Wins Losses Pct. League Wins Losses Pct. Finish PF PA 2004 10 1 9 .100 GLIAC 1 9 .100 13th 115 403 2005* 10 3 7 .300 GLIAC 3 7 .300 T-8th 158 224 2006 11 6 5 .545 GLIAC 6 4 .600 T-4th 287 255 2007 11 3 8 .273 GLIAC 2 8 .200 12th 335 383 2008 11 8 3 .727 GLIAC 7 3 .700 T-3rd 222 161 2009 11 6 5 .545 GLIAC 5 5 .500 8th 322 320 2010& 11 9 2 .818 GLIAC 8 2 .800 1st/South 347 228 2011 16 12 4 .750 GLIAC 7 3 .700 Nat’l Runner-Up 550 382 2012 10 5 5 .500 GLIAC 5 5 .500 6th/North 213 244 2013 11 3 8 .273 GLIAC 3 7 .300 T-6th/North 246 341 2014 11 7 4 .636 GLIAC 6 4 .600 T-3rd/North 319 204 2015 11 6 5 .545 GLIAC 5 5 .500 T-4th/North 305 319 2016 11 7 4 .636 GLIAC 7 4 .636 3rd/North 363 240 Career 145 76 69 .524 65 66 .496 3782 3704 *-Does not include forfeit by Saginaw Valley. &-T-2nd overall in the GLIAC
6 2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE Centennial Celebration of Champions 1918 2018 HEAD COACH PAUL WINTERS
Coach Winters with daughters Monica, Melanie and Natalie. Monica attends The Ohio State University, while Melanie is the most celebrated female student- athlete in Baldwin Wallace University history. She is a 13-time NCAA Division III All-American in track. Natalie was a third-year letterwinner in 2016-17 for the University of Mount Union track squad competing in the javelin, discus, shot put and weight throw.
In addition, senior running back Joique Bell was selected previous nine years. two seasons after being a graduate assistant for the `82 and as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year (Harlon Hill Trophy), Prior to his appointment at WSU, Winters was listed as one `83 campaigns. played in the Senior Bowl and participated in the NFL Combine of the top 10 African-American head coaching candidates in Winters was inducted into the UA Athletic Hall of Fame in Indianapolis after rushing for 29 touchdowns and 2,084 the nation by the Black Coaches Association. on Feb. 2, 1990. He earned a bachelor of science degree in yards in 2009. Bell played eight NFL games during the 2010 After the 2000 season, and for the second time, Winters industrial management in `80 and a M.S. degree in education regular season and totaled nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards in was nominated for the Broyles Award, a national honor in 1984. 2012 with the Detroit Lions. Bell teamed with Reggie Bush in recognizing the nation’s top Division I-A assistant coach. The seventh all-time leading rusher in school history, he 2013 to become the first running back tandem with over 500 In addition, he was chosen Assistant Coach of the Year by rushed for 2,613 yards during his Zips career and was named rushing yards and 500 receiving yards each in an NFL season. the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football 1980 UA Athlete of the Year. Winters was a three-time In 2014, Bell rushed for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. His Foundation from among 13 universities and colleges in the letterman and a three-time recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith six-year NFL totals are 2,235 rushing yards and 22 rushing region. Award as the outstanding player in his class. In `79, Winters touchdowns, along with 1,640 receiving yards. Before returning to Akron following the 1994 campaign, was selected as the Zips’ offensive MVP. He was a prep star at Winters’ 2008 squad became the first team in school Winters was an assistant football coach at the University of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. history to be ranked in the AFCA poll. Earlier that year, he Wisconsin for two seasons (1990-91). Prior to UW, he was on A former member of the AFCA Division II Board of Coaches, was one of 28 coaches nationally selected to participate in the the coaching staff at the University of Toledo for four seasons Winters currently serves on the NCAA Regional Ranking 2008 NCAA Expert Coaches Academy. (1986-89). Committee as well as the NCAA Rules Committee. Winters became the first WSU football coach to earn GLIAC In his previous stint on the Akron coaching staff, Winters Winters has four children, Christian, Monica, Melanie and Coach of the Year honors since Dick Lowry in 1975 following a served on Jim Dennison’s staff as offensive backfield coach for Natalie and is married to the former Mya Hill. successful 2006 campaign in which the Warriors ranked 10th nationally in kickoff returns, and 13th in both rushing offense and punt return defense. WSU was also ranked regionally until the final poll. In 2006, Bell eclipsed the NCAA Division II freshman rushing record by gaining 2,065 yards and became the first WSU player named to the AFCA All-America squad since the AFCA began selecting All-America teams in 1945. Bell and David Chudzinski were also named to the AP Little, D2Football. com and Daktronics All-America squads and were joined by Derrion Fuqua on the Hansen’s Gazette All-America team. After helping the Warriors improve five places in the GLIAC standings from 2004 to 2005, WSU improved another four places in 2006 and recorded the first winning season in more than a decade. In his 12 years at WSU, Winters has coached 270 Academic All-GLIAC selections, 14 Academic All-District honorees, 36 All-Region selections and 131 All-GLIAC award winners. Winters was hired as the school’s 19th football coach by WSU Director of Athletics Rob Fournier on December 17, 2003, after serving on the staff at the University of Akron the Head coach Paul Winters with his wife Mya.
2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 7 1918 2018 Centennial Celebration of Champions ASSISTANT COACHES/WEST-kazmierski Lou West was hired in March of 2017 as the Scott Kazmierski begins his 14th year on the co-defensive coordinator, secondary coach and Wayne State football coaching staff in the fall defensive passing game coordinator. of 2017 and his 13th as the defensive line coach West spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons as and recruiting coordinator. He joined the Warrior defensive coordinator and safeties coach at football program in the spring of 2004 as running Alabama State. The Hornets defense finished backs coach and moved to his current position second in the SWAC in scoring defense (24.8 ppg) in in June of 2005. He added responsibilities as co- 2015 and again in 2016 (27.4). ASU was second in defensive coordinator and defensive running game the SWAC allowing 365.2 yards per game in 2015, coordinator in the spring of 2017. while leading the league in rushing defense (142.4 During his WSU tenure, Kazmierski has ypg). The Hornets were second in pass defense mentored 38 Academic All-GLIAC selections, three efficiency (124.2 rating) in 2015, and second in rush CoSIDA Academic All-District recipients, 20 All- defense (132.0 ypg) last fall. In addition, ASU was GLIAC honorees, three all-region selections, and third in the conference in turnovers gained with 22 one All-American (Greg Hasse in 2011). (11 interceptions plus 11 fumbles) in 2016. Last fall, he tutored four Academic All-GLIAC Prior to his appointment at ASU, West coached the defensive backs and linemen at Mississippi Delta recipients, along with three All-GLIAC honorees in First Team selection Dalton Binkowski and two Junior College (2013-14). He spent 2011 and 2012 as the defensive coordinator at Garden City Community Honorable Mention Team honorees. In addition, Binkowski was the Cortez Smith Award winner. WSU College where they won the Mississippi Bowl over Copiah-Lincoln. He coached the defensive line and ranked 48th nationally in rushing defense (135.4 yards per game) and 46th in tackles for loss (7.3 per special teams at Rose-Holman in 2009 and 2010. game). In 2015, he guided one Honorable Mention All-GLIAC recipient (Derrick Rodgers) and three West spent three seasons (2005-07) as the head coach at Indiana State. During that time, he tutored Academic All-GLIAC honorees in Coleman, Mazur and Medenbach. five different All-Gateway Football Conference selections and seven others who earned Academic All- He mentored two 2014 Academic All-GLIAC selections in Mazur and Medenbach, along with WSU Conference recognition. Defensive back Bryan Jackson received CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in Defensive Rookie of the Year award recipient Jake Carrizales. Carrizales was a Second Team All-GLIAC 2006. selection, while Justice Akuezue and Sam Sillmon were both named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention He served as defensive coordinator at the University of Toledo for four seasons (2001-04) before Team. Carrizales was third in the GLIAC in both sacks and tackles for loss per game, while Sillmon was becoming head coach for the Sycamores. During his tenure with the Rockets, West helped UT to a 36-14 among the conference leaders in fumble recoveries. record, three MAC West titles, two MAC Championship game victories and three bowl appearances. As a team, WSU led the GLIAC and ranked 22nd nationally in 2014 in sacks (2.91 per game), while Prior to joining the Rockets staff, West worked as the safeties coach at the University of Notre Dame for ranking eighth in NCAA Division II with 9.3 tackles for loss per game. The Warriors were ranked 38th in D-II two seasons (1999-2000). In his first year, A-Jani Sanders led the team in tackles for loss and was named in total defense allowing 338.5 yards per game. He tutored two Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selections to the All-Independent squad. Sanders, along with fellow safety Deke Cooper signed free agent contracts in 2013 (Ryan Hankins and Greg Hasse) along with three Academic All-GLIAC honorees. with NFL teams. During West’s second season (2000) in South Bend, Ind., the Fighting Irish went 9-3 In 2012, he guided two all-league honorees in Serxho Guraleci and Andrew Matt along with three and made an appearance in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Tony Driver, a free safety for the Irish, was drafted Academic All-GLIAC selections. His defensive linemen recorded eight takeaways helping the Warriors to in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills after earning All-Independent squad honors. a top-20 ranking nationally in turnover margin. In addition the six quarterback hurries by his DL corps From 1995-98, West served as the defensive backs coach at Virginia Tech. In 1998, the Hokies ranked helped WSU rank ninth in Division II in pass defense. Pat Cecile was the 2012 WSU Football Ron Solack second nationally in interceptions (23), fourth in scoring defense (12.9), seventh in total defense (284.9), #35 Award winner, while Serxho Guraleci was bestowed the Cortez Smith award. and 11th in pass efficiency defense (103.4 rating). Virginia Tech also led the Big East in scoring defense, The 2011 WSU defense ranked 14th nationally in sacks (3.00 per game), 39th in rushing defense total defense, rushing defense and passing defense during the 1998 campaign. The Hokies picked off three (123.31 yards per game), and 49th in scoring defense (23.88 points per game) as Wayne State reached the passes en route to a 38-7 win over Alabama in the Music City Bowl that season. national championship game for the first time. The Warriors were ranked second in the final AFCA poll During his four years at Virginia Tech, the Hokies appeared in four consecutive bowl games and posted after setting a school record with 12 overall wins, four playoff victories, and eight triumphs on the road. a combined win-loss mark of 36-12 (.750). In 1995 (Sugar) and 1996 (Orange) the Hokies participated in Kazmierski coached six GLIAC All-Academic team members in 2011, while junior defensive end Greg New Year’s Day Bowl games under the Bowl Alliance. VT ranked in the Top 25 in three of his four years Hasse earned All-America accolades. In 2010, he had one First Team All-GLIAC selection in Daunte Akra on staff. Under his tutelage, five Hokies garnered First Team All-Big East honors, while one player earned (who also earned all-region accolades), while Hasse was an honorable mention all-conference choice. second team accolades. Two players (Torrian Gray and Antonio Banks) were selected in the first four In terms of national stats in 2010, WSU tied-for-34th in sacks (2.45 per game), was 38th in scoring rounds of the 1997 National Football League Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, while Pierson Prioleau was a defense (20.73 points per game) and 50th in total defense (330.45 yards per game). fourth-round selection of the San Francisco 49ers in 1999. Athan Anagonye was named to the All-GLIAC honorable mention team in 2009, while three of his West spent one season as the secondary coach at Kent State (1994) after six seasons (1988-93) as players earned GLIAC All-Academic team accolades. In 2008, Jason Thomas was voted to the All-GLIAC defensive backs, outside linebackers, and tight ends coach at Cincinnati. He began his career as a graduate First Team, while Andrew Bates was a CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team selection. Bates and assistant with Arizona in 1977 before working as the defensive backs coach at Arizona Western JC in 1979 Anagonye were both named to the honorable mention All-GLIAC team, the first of two straight accolades and 1980. West took over as defensive backs coach at Middle Tennessee State for two seasons (1981-82) for Anagonye. The Warriors finished ninth in the country in turnover margin in 2008, 29th in sacks and before spending the 1983 season with the University of Minnesota. From 1984-85, he worked at Western 42nd in tackles for loss. Bates was a Second Team Academic All-District selection in 2007, while four of Michigan University as defensive backs coach. Kazmierski’s players were named to the GLIAC All-Academic team. He graduated from McKinley High School before attending the University of Cincinnati (1973-76), In 2006, Chris Smilo earned honorable mention All-GLIAC accolades as well as being invited to the where he played defensive back. West earned three letters and recorded four interceptions and six fumble Minnesota Vikings free agent tryout camp. Two of his players were named to the GLIAC All-Academic team recoveries during his career. Following with Dan Barnes being voted to the CoSIDA his senior campaign, he played in the Academic All-District First Team. Two of his Blue-Gray Classic and the North-South defensive linemen earned all-region honors Shrine Bowl. (Michael Hall - Hansen’s Gazette; and Leo A native of Niles, Ohio, West earned Wells - D2Football.com) in 2005 with Wells his bachelor’s degree in Education from being voted to the All-GLIAC First Team. the University of Cincinnati in 1977 A native of Okemos, Kazmierski graduated and a master’s degree in secondary from Eastern Michigan University in 2003 education from the University of Arizona after majoring in political science with a in 1980. minor in history. West and his wife Gail, are the He began his coaching career at his alma parents of four children – Andre, Adrian, mater (OHS) as a varsity assistant from 1998- Alexandria West and Orenthal -- and 2001. Kazmierski spent the 2001 campaign eight grandchildren. as a student coach at EMU. He served two years (2002-2003) as defensive coordinator at Ypsilanti Lincoln High School. Kazmierski and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Novi with their sons, Jackson and Alexander, Scott, Stephanie and Jackson Kazmierski Alexander.
8 2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE Centennial Celebration of Champions 1918 2018 ASSISTANT COACHES/GRAY-REARDON Alex Gray joined the Wayne State football Jeff Reardon enters his fifth consecutive year coaching staff in the summer of 2017 as the wide and ninth total at Wayne State in the fall of 2017. receivers coach. He re-joined the staff in March 2013 as the tight He came to WSU after spending the 2016 ends coach after spending the 2012 campaign as campaign as the defensive coordinator at Malone. the secondary coach at Baldwin Wallace University. In his lone season with the Pioneers, Gray mentored He moved to quarterbacks coach for the 2014 JC Pawlyk who was a national semifinalist for the campaign and will spend his fourth year coaching William V. Campbell Trophy, a one-time G-MAC the signal callers in 2017. Reardon will also serve Defensive Player of the Week and a team captain as the passing game coordinator in 2017. for MU. In addition, defensive lineman Austin Cary He mentored Honorable Mention All-GLIAC was a CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team selection Donovan Zezula in 2016, plus had three selection, while senior defensive lineman Tyler of his quarterbacks receive Academic All-GLIAC Bowman earned G-MAC Co-Defensive Player of the recognition. Under Reardon’s guidance the QBs Year honors. Three other Pioneers received G-MAC helped WSU score the third-most TD in the GLIAC All-Conference Defensive Team accolades. (52), finish sixth nationally in rushing offense From 2013-15, Gray spent three years on the Notre Dame College staff including serving as co- (273.4 ypg) and 23rd in yards per completion. defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach his final two seasons with the Falcons. In 2013, Gray was He guided two 2015 Academic All-GLIAC recipients in Carl Roscoe and Van Tubbergen, along with the cornerbacks coach as well as handling strength and conditioning for the football program. WSU’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in true freshman quarterback Donovan Zezula. In addition, Roscoe was In 2012, Gray was the defensive backs coach at Division III Hiram College after spending the 2011 the recipient of the squad’s Randy Guzowski Award which goes to the individual who has demonstrated campaign as the defensive coordinator at Akron Springfield High School. team leadership and shown exemplary school and community citizenship. Gray served four years (2005, 2008-10) as the defensive backs coach at his alma mater Walsh In 2015, the WSU offense ranked 18th nationally in yards per completion (14.83), 21st in red zone University, with two years at Orange High School (Pepper Pike, Ohio) as both wide receivers and defensive offense (86.8%), 33rd in time of possession (31:44) and 43rd in the rushing offense (194.0 yards per game) backs coach. with Zezula ranking 13th nationally in yards per completion (15.01), 24th in yards per attempt (8.46) and A four-year (2001-04) letterwinner at Walsh, he received his bachelor’s degree from WU in 2005 in 49th in passing efficiency rating (140.9). corporate communications. WU In 2014, Reardon tutored Roscoe who finished ninth in the NCAA in passing yards per completion tallied an 8-3 record in each of his (15.09) and 16th in passing yards per attempt (8.59). In addition, WSU was third nationally in red zone four years, including a 19-5 record offense at 90.5 percent. Roscoe was also an Academic All-GLIAC honoree for 2014. at home. Gray is tied-for-fifth Reardon also guided kickers Paul Graham and Majd Khytaz in 2014. Both were Academic All-GLIAC in school history with 10 career selections with Graham tying for the national lead in field goal percentage (93.3%) and finishing 19th in interceptions, while ranking third field goals made per game (1.27). In addition to being WSU’s Special Teams MVP, Graham was Second in tackles with 315 stops. Team All-GLIAC, a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award and was named to the Beyond Sports Network All- During the 2003 season, Gray Super Region 4 Third Team. In his first season back in Detroit in 2013, Reardon mentored three Academic was twice an MSFA (Mid-States All-GLIAC selections (Trent Brodbeck, Aaron Weston and Ethan Walsh) with both Brodbeck and Weston Football Association) Player of being named to the All-Academic Excellence team. the Week for the Cavaliers, and At BWU in 2012, he tutored All-OAC safety Tom Goebel, who was second on the team with 61 total was an Honorable Mention All- tackles, tied for the team lead with three interceptions, and led the squad with eight total pass breakups. American as a return specialist The Yellow Jackets compiled a 7-3 record. by Hansen’s Football Gazette Reardon originally joined the Wayne State football staff in March 2008 and served as an assistant after earning First Team All-MSFA defensive backs coach in both 2008 and 2009 after serving as a student assistant coach at Hope in the fall honors as a kick returner for the of 2007. After working at Hope during the spring of 2010, he returned to WSU in the summer of 2010 to first of two consecutive seasons. serve as video coordinator and safeties coach. Gray also received all-conference His 2011 squad ranked 14th in sacks (3.00 per game), 39th in rushing defense (123.31 yards per game), recognition in track as a javelin and 49th in scoring defense (23.88 points per game) as Wayne State reached the national championship thrower. game for the first time in school history. The Warriors were ranked second in the final AFCA poll after He and his wife Shannon, are setting a school record with 12 overall wins, four playoff victories, and eight triumphs on the road. the parents of a daughter, Rose. Two of his players received conference all-academic honors, while senior safety Jeremy Jones was voted GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year as well as to numerous All-America squads. In 2010, WSU junior safety Jeremy Jones became the first WSU defensive player in school history to earn First Team All-America accolades (Daktronics All-America First Team). Wayne State was tied-for-34th nationally in sacks (2.45 per game) in 2010, 38th in scoring defense (20.73 points per game), 50th in total defense (330.45 yards per game) and 52nd in passing efficiency (116.72 rating). All this helped the Warriors set a school record for overall wins (9), conference victories (8) and the highest AFCA ranking in school history (12th). In 2009, he helped coach one all-league performer (Jones) and four academic all-conference selections (Joe Claiborne, Aaron Cornett, Kenny Loney and Brent Wisniewski). A 2007 graduate of Hope College, he was named to the 2006-07 MIAA Academic Honor Roll and also lettered in football in 2005 and 2006. The Stanwood native graduated from Sturgis High School in 2003. Jeff and Lauren are the proud parents of Sadie Shannon, Alex and Rose Gray Sadie, Lauren and Jeff Alexander.
2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 9 1918 2018 Centennial Celebration of Champions ASSISTANT COACHES/rOBINSOn-wooster Jon Robinson was named linebackers coach for Former Wayne State University student-athlete the WSU football program in March of 2016 and will Scott Wooster joined the WSU football coaching enter his second full-time year in the fall of 2017. staff in the spring of 2009 and, after serving four In his first season as a full-time coach, Robinson years as the tight ends coach, moved to offensive helped lead the Warrior defense to a 20th-place line coach in the spring of 2013. The 2017 campaign ranking nationally in fewest first downs allowed will be his fifth season as offensive line coach. (184). WSU was sixth in red zone defense allowing Wooster tutored two All-GLIAC performers five rushing touchdowns, 12 passing touchdowns a year ago in left tackle Nate Theaker (GLIAC and four field goals in 34 visits. Wayne State was Offensive Lineman of the Year) and right guard 28th in fumbles recovered (12), 37th in scoring Robert Kelly. Theaker earned numerous All- defense (21.8 ppg), 45th in sacks (2.64 per game) America accolades (AFCA, D2CCA and Associated and 48th in total defense (343.1 ypg) Press) and participated in the NFLPA Bowl as well as He tutored WSU Defensive MVP Valorian the NFL Combine. Kelly had free agent tryouts with Cunningham, who also received the squad’s Ron Kansas City and Atlanta. Solack “#35” Award, as well as Defensive Rookie of A total of seven offensive linemen earned the Year Ryan Smith. In addition, two of his student-athletes - Cunningham and Anthony DeDamos - Academic All-GLIAC recognition, including five who were named to the All-Academic Excellence Team for received First Team and Second Team All-GLIAC recognition, respectively. A total of seven linebackers maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better. Three of his student-athletes received membership into were selected to the Academic All-GLIAC teams with three (DeDamos, Drew Dowding and Smith) earning the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. WSU scored the third-most TD in the GLIAC Excellence Team accolades for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better. (52) in 2016 and finished sixth nationally in rushing offense (274.3 ypg), 10th in fewest TFL allowed (4.18 Prior to returning to Detroit, Robinson spent two seasons (2014 and 2015) as a graduate assistant pg) and 23rd in yards per completion (14.59). coach at Ball State University working primarily with linebackers. He was a graduate assistant coach for He mentored two 2015 All-GLIAC performers in First Team selection Tommy Richardson and Second two years (2012 and 2013) on Winters’ staff mentoring the linebackers, while also serving as the video Team honoree Robert Kelly. On the classroom side, the offensive line contingent produced two Academic coordinator in 2013. All-GLIAC Excellence Team honorees in Ziedas and Zimmerman, along with four who received Academic In 2012, Robinson helped tutor two Second Team All-GLIAC linebackers in Nick Thomas and Ed All-GLIAC recognition in Ed Reny, Richardson, Theaker and Greg Webber. Viverette, while having three of his student-athletes (Thomas, Moe Davenport and Steve O’Shell) earn In 2015, the WSU offense ranked 18th in yards per completion (14.83), 21st in red zone offense Academic All-GLIAC honors. The strong performances by his corps helped WSU rank ninth nationally in (86.8%), 33rd in time of possession (31:44) and 43rd in the rushing offense (194.0 yards per game). pass defense (165.6 yards per game) and 18th in turnover margin as his linebacking crew totaled 15 sacks, The previous year, he mentored two National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society selections 11 quarterback hurries, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions. in Thom Box and Ben Walker. Five members of his group were GLIAC All-Academic Excellence selections The following year at WSU, he helped mentor three Academic All-GLIAC selections (Anthony DeDamos with another five players earning Academic All-GLIAC recognition. Theaker was a First Team All-GLIAC and Idris Hobdy), with one (O’Shell) earning Academic All-GLIAC Excellence honors. Robinson guided honoree with Walker receiving Honorable Mention All-GLIAC accolades. Box was the squad’s recipient two All-GLIAC performers in Viverette (First Team) and Davenport (Honorable Mention). Viverette also of the Randy Guzowski Award, which goes to the individual who has demonstrated team leadership and won two awards at the team’s year-end banquet as Defensive Most Valuable Player and Ron Solack “35” shown exemplary school and community citizenship. Award. In addition, O’Shell was selected as the program’s Scholar-Athlete for 2013. On the field in 2014, Wooster’s corps ranked 12th nationally in fewest sacks allowed (0.91 per game) In his two years in Muncie, Ind., Robinson tutored 2015 First Team All-MAC linebacker Sean Wiggins, and 23rd in fewest tackles for loss allowed (5.18 per game). WSU also ranked third in Division II in red zone who was second on BSU’s team and 14th in the conference with 95 tackles. Wiggins was also selected as offense (90.5 percent) which coincided with 28 rushing touchdowns and over 215 rushing yards per game. the Cardinals co-Most Improved Player. In addition, linebacker Ben Ingle was a two-year captain and was At the conclusion of the 2013 campaign, four of his offensive linemen were named to the GLIAC All- the 2015 BSU Dave McClain Leadership Award recipient. Ingle had a team-high 102 tackles in 2015, while Academic Team with one (Walker) earning All-Academic Excellence accolades. In addition, Kelly was the finishing second on the squad in both tackles for loss (6.0) and pass break-ups (4). recipient of the Warriors Offensive Rookie of the Year award, while Walker was an Honorable Mention During his playing career, Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree from WSU in kinesiology, was a three- All-GLIAC selection. WSU rushed for over 190 yards per game and 20 touchdowns during the 2013 season. time GLIAC All-Academic Team selection as well as receiving membership into the National Football Wooster’s entire 2012 tight end group consisted of either true freshmen and or redshirt freshmen. He had Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society. He earned Academic Honor Roll accolades nine times during his one player earn Academic All-GLIAC honors (Ethan Walsh) and another (Trent Brodbeck) be voted WSU’s undergraduate career. Offensive Rookie of the Year. His 2011 tight ends corps helped the Warriors to a school record for overall On the field, he finished his collegiate career with 90 tackles including 19 for loss along with 5.5 sacks in wins (12), road wins (8), while winning four consecutive road playoff games to reach the national title 46 games. He started all 16 games as a senior as the Warriors set a school record with 12 wins (12-4) and contest. In addition, senior Greg Oberstaedt was named to the GLIAC All-Academic team. advanced to the national championship game after four consecutive road victories in the NCAA playoffs. The Warriors ranked in the top 40 nationally in four offensive categories for the 2011 campaign -- Robinson made two assisted tackles in the national championship game and led all WSU defensive ninth in fewest sacks allowed, 23rd in scoring offense, 26th in passing efficiency and 33rd in rushing linemen with 50 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss for the 2011 campaign. He was the recipient of the 2011 offense. In 2010, one of his student-athletes was named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention team, while Ron Solack Memorial “35” Award for someone who wore his Wayne State uniform with unmatched pride also receiving the Ron Solack #35 Award. In addition, WSU was second in the league in both rushing and played the game with enthusiasm. touchdowns (27) and fewest sacks allowed (9). In terms of NCAA rankings, the Warriors finished sixth in He and his wife Courtney reside in Novi with their daughter, Nora. fewest sacks allowed per game, 30th in rushing offense and 45th in scoring offense. All three of his players earned GLIAC All-Academic honors for the 2009 campaign. After attending Eastern Michigan in the fall of 1995, he transferred to WSU in the spring of 1996 and saw limited action that season for the Tartars. He then started all 11 games for WSU in both 1997 and 1998 at right tackle. As a senior and team captain, Wooster lettered as a left guard in 1999. He was twice named to the MIFC All- Academic team (1997 and 1999). Wooster earned his undergraduate degree from WSU in 2001 and a master’s in exercise science with a concentration in exercise & sport psychology in 2007, also from WSU. Prior to joining the WSU coaching staff, he served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Warren Mott. He is married to former WSU softball player Christina Vitale, and the couple resides in Shelby Twp. with their Jon, Courtney and Nora Robinson Elliana, Christina and Scott Wooster daughter, Elliana Faith.
10 2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE Centennial Celebration of Champions 1918 2018 GRADUATE ASSISTANT COACHES Joe Johnson joined the Wayne State football Cheyne Lacanaria joined the Wayne State coaching staff in the summer of 2017 as a graduate University football staff in the summer of 2017 assistant coach helping with the defensive backs. and will serve as the offensive graduate assistant A 2015 graduate of WSU with a degree in this fall. secondary education, Johnson spent the previous Lacanaria was a four-year member of the Ohio school year (2016-17) as a Learning Lab Supervisor Wesleyan University football team (2013-16) at Allen Park Middle School. playing at both quarterback and receiver. He He has been an athletics coach in the Allen Park helped the Battling Bishops to a 6-4 mark in 2016, Public Schools system working with football (eight by recording at least two receptions in each game, years), track & field (five years), and basketball while also serving as one of the team captains. (four years). Johnson was the defensive backs He had a season-high 11 catches vs. Wabash on coach at Allen Park High School for three seasons October 29th, along with a season-best 85 receiving (2013, 2015, 2016) and also served as the special yards. Lacanaria finished his senior campaign with teams coordinator in 2016. 57 receptions, which ranked eighth in the NCAC, for In 2016, he tutored one All-State Honorable 407 yards and one touchdown (October 15 vs. Hiram). Mention selection and four all-area honorees as the Jaguars won the Downriver League title for the second After playing in one game as a true freshman (completed 2-of-4 passes for nine yards), he appeared consecutive season. The previous year, he mentored two News Herald All-Area Dream Team selections in eight games in 2014 and completed 46-of-83 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns. As a junior, along with three All-League honorees. Lacanaria participated in all 10 contests and passed for 368 yards and one touchdown on 28-of-55. In Johnson graduated in 2009 from APHS where he earned nine varsity letters (four in track & field, three addition, he was ninth in the league (North Coast Athletic Conference) with 47 receptions for 405 yards in football and two in basketball). and two touchdowns. His 13 catches vs. DePauw on October 24, 2015, is tied for third most in school As a senior football player in 2008, he was named to the Detroit Free Press All-Metro West Team along history. with being a Downriver News Herald All-Area Dream Team selection. Johnson played football for MHSAA He earned a bachelor’s degree in health and human kinetics in December of 2016 and is currently Hall of Fame Coaches Tom Hoover and Jim Buttson. pursuing a master’s degree in sports administration from WSU. In track, he was the league champion in the 200m in addition to being a two-time state regional finalist The Farmington native was a two-year state champion at Brother Rice, including serving as a team for the 100m and 200m. captain during his senior campaign of 2012. He was the starting quarterback in the 2011 MHSAA Division During his undergraduate career at WSU, Johnson served as a filmer for the Warrior football program 2 state championship game win over Lowell, then tossed a 16-yard scoring strike to his brother to open during the 2014 campaign. the scoring in the 2012 State championship game win over Muskegon. Ed Reny joined the Wayne State football Matt Johnston joined the Wayne State University coaching staff as a graduate assistant working with football coaching staff in the summer of 2015 as the offensive line in the summer of 2017. assistant linebackers coach. He worked with the Reny concluded his collegiate career after linebackers and special teams in 2016 and will playing in 32 games over his four seasons, assist in that same capacity in 2017. making two starts. He played every position on Last fall, he helped the Warriors finish 15th the offensive line except center, while also seeing nationally in kickoff return defense (16.82 yards action on the PAT/field goal unit all four seasons. per return). He was named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team In 2015, Johnston mentored two All-GLIAC for three seasons and attended the June 2017 NCAA recipients. In addition, eight members of the Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis linebacking corps received Academic All-GLIAC A 2012 graduate of Dexter High School, Reny recognition, including five on the All-Academic was a two-year varsity letterwinner for coach Excellence Team. Three others were named to the Brian Baird. An All-Southeastern Conference White All-GLIAC Academic Team. Drew Dowding was Division First Team honoree, he helped the Dreadnaughts to a 5-4 mark as a senior. recognized as the squad’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, while Anthony DeDamos led all GLIAC linebackers Reny earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing in December of 2016 and started working on his and was 40th nationally in tackles for loss with 1.5 per game. master’s in business administration in January of 2017. He was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll The WSU defense finished 44th nationally in first downs defense allowing just 197 throughout the (term gpa 3.5+) once and the Coach’s Honor Roll (term gpa 3.0-3.49) seven different terms. season, while ranking 45th in rushing defense (135.4 yards allowed per game) and 48th in tackles for Desmond Martin joined the Wayne State loss with 7.3 per contest. University football coaching staff in the summer Johnston spent two seasons (2013 & 2014) at Manchester University (N. Manchester, Ind.) as of 2017 as a student assistant coach. He will assist linebackers coach and video coordinator. In 2013, he coached senior linebacker Zach Dashner to Division 3 with developing the running backs. All-North Region accolades. In addition, Dashner and classmate Dylin Kennedy shared team MVP honors. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Warriors Kennedy, who ranked among the top 10 in NCAA Division III in solo tackles per game, topped the defense and played in 48 career games. Martin finished with 94 tackles. Dashner led the team and Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) with six picks fourth in all-time rushing with 2,791 yards, seventh and was second for MU in tackles (74). Kennedy was a First Team All-HCAC selection with Dashner being in rushing touchdowns (24) and eighth in rushing voted to the All-HCAC Second Team for 2013. attempts (510). He ranked third in average yards He was the running backs and fullback coach at Kentucky Christian University for the 2013 spring ball per carry (5.47) [min. 100 attempts] {only people season. Before going to KCU, Johnston had been a graduate assistant linebackers coach at William Penn ahead of him are Joique Bell and Vic Zucco (1953- University of Iowa for two years (2011 & 2012), while also serving as the defensive coordinator for the J.V. 54)}, 15th in total offense (2,791) and 16th in squad. He earned his master’s degree from WPU in business leadership. rushing yards per game (58.1). The Redford, Mich. In 2010, Johnston was the offensive coordinator at Warren Fitzgerald High School after serving as native finished sixth in total offense per play (5.47) running backs coach at Adrian College, his alma mater, for two seasons in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, Adrian [min. 200 plays] behind four quarterbacks and Bell, tied-for-ninth in touchdowns scored (24), 12th in led the league with 238.5 rushing yards per game. He was also the JV offensive coordinator at Adrian. He all-purpose yards (2,972) and tied-for-12th in scoring (144 points). helped the 2010 WFHS squad to an 8-4 record, a district runner-up finish, and a state playoff berth. The As a senior he started all 11 games and became the first player in school history with back-to-back offense averaged over 330 yards per game, including 203.2 on the ground. 200-yard games (Carson-Newman and Malone) and had three 200-yard games during the season among Johnston was a three-year letterwinner for the Bulldogs (2005-07) and after his final season began an his seven 100-yard contests. Martin’s single-season rushing yards total (1,578) was the fourth highest internship with the AC strength and conditioning program where he also served as an assistant defensive for one year in school history, while his rushing touchdown total (16) ranked sixth. Following that 2014 line coach. He graduated from Adrian College with a bachelors’ degree in English and a minor in Spanish. season he was an All-GLIAC First Team honoree and was named WSU’s Most Valuable Offensive Player. He During his time at Adrian, he was a resident assistant for three years and President of SGA (Student was a team captain and was the recipient of the Serxho Guraleci/Ultimate Warrior award for outstanding Government Association). work in the weight room. Martin was selected to the 2014 USA College Football All-America Second Team, A native of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Johnston played his high school football at Lutheran East. While at while being voted to the Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region 4 Second Team. He was named to the LEHS, he was a 2004 Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Division IV Second Team All-State Coach’s Honor Roll (term gpa 3.0-3.49) for Fall 2010, Fall 2012 and Winter 2013. He was signed by the outfielder, while also earning All-Metro Conference honors in football. Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2015.
2017 FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 11