SD School of Mines Football Media Guide

Dustin Thomas ‐ Defensive Line Coach

Dustin Thomas grew up in Mountain View, Wyo. He joins the Hardrocker football program as the defensive line coach. He is a graduate of South Dakota School of Mines, earning a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He is very familiar with the football team; he was a member of the Hardrocker program from 2000 to 2005. Dustin has been around athletics his whole life, but joining the coaching staff two season ago was his first experience in a formal coaching role. Dustin and his wife Amanda have a one‐year old boy named Aiden Dean. Dustin's dad, Don Thomas, was inducted into the Wyoming Coaches Hall of Fame this past summer.

Greg Hodgin ‐‐‐ Running backs Coach

Hodgin is a native of Rapid City where he played football for the Rapid City Stevens Raiders, graduating in 1999. He has also been the baseball coach for Rapid City Central for the past three years. This will be Greg's second season as running backs coach at SD Mines. "I am excited for the opportunity to help the Hardrockers in any way I can, and I am glad to be here at South Dakota School of Mines.” said Hodgin.

Jason Beilstein ‐‐‐ Receivers Coach Having Jason on the coaching staff is a real advantage for the South Dakota School of Mines Hardrockers, as he is fresh off the team. Jason was a four‐year starter, first as a quarterback during his freshman season then converting to the tight end position for his next three years. Jason is very familiar with the Hardrockers' game plan, the players on the team and knows the rigors of being a student‐athlete for South Dakota Mines.

Jason’s last year playing was the 2009 season.

Scott Baird ‐‐‐ Athletic Trainer Scott Baird is a 1997 graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University and is in his fourth year as head athletic trainer at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Before joining the School of Mines Athletic Department, he was an athletic trainer for the University of Wyoming where he covered both men's rugby and lacrosse. He brings much knowledge and experience to the School of Mines Sports Medicine Team. Scott has been married to Becky, a physical therapist in Rapid City, for 14 years and just added two new little twin girls to their family, Braedyn and Blakely.