Coaches Al Hansen Kicking Coach 13th Season Al Hansen enters his 13th season as the punters and kickers coach at USF. In 2010 Hansen saw sophmore kicker Braden Wieking to GPAC honorable-mention, GPAC and NAIA player of the week (9/13) and all-american honorable-mention recognition. Last season, Wieking was 2nd on the #1 ranked Cougars in scoring with 118 points, he converted 15 of 25 FG’s and made 73 of 74 PAT’s, settting the NAIA record with 162 consecutive PAT’s conversions. Wieking looks to continue his PAT streak under Hansen’s direction in the Cougars 2011 season. In 2009 Hansen tutored freshman kicker Braden Wieking to GPAC honorable-mention honors in Wieking’s first year of varsity football. After missing his first point-after-touchdown attempt, Wieking was successful on his remaining 100 attempts, ending the season 100 of 101, a school record. Wieking was also 13 of 17 on field goals. At the NAIA National Championship Wieking was 2 for 2 on PATS and knocked in field goals of 37 yards, 41 yards and a career long 42 yarder. Wieking was named the offensive player of the game. Wieking averaged 37.4 yards per punt with a long of 55 yards. Hansen also guided kicker Matt Lindgren to a GPAC All-Conference second team spot in 2008 and in 2004, he coached punter Mike Boen and kicker T.C. Fraser to All-American seasons. Hansen has coached four All-American punters and kickers in his career. As a player in 1987 Hansen earned All-Conference and honorable mention All-American honors by averaging 40.3 yards per punt for the Cougars.
Jared Schwanz Defensive Line Coach 2nd Season Jared Schwanz is in his third year as defensive line coach on the USF football staff. The 2010 season presented Schwanz with the challange of replacing two starters from a talented defensive line. Schwanz’s line responded well, helping the Cougar defense to a No. 1 national ranking in scoring defense (8.5 points per game), pass defense (113 yards per game) and total yards allowed (206.1 yards per game). Under Schwanz’s guidance, Antonio Turner, Brandon Koolstra and Jordan Carlson received GPAC all-conference recognition, while Koolstra recieved all-american honors. In 2009, Schwanz coached three GPAC all conference players and one All-American. During 2009 the defensive line helped the Cougar defense to a No. 1 national ranking in scoring defense (10.5 points per game) and total yards (210.5 yards per game), and a No. 4 ranking in rush (63.8 yards per game) and pass defense (146.7 yards per game). The Cougars 34 sacks ranked them ninth in the nation. Schwanz played defensive line for two seasons at Minnesota State Mankato and was named to the North Central Conference academic team both years. In 2007 he spent the season as the defensive line and tight ends coach at Minnesota State Mankato and was the defensive line coach at Southwest Minnesota State for the 2008 season. Schwanz is a native of St. James, MN.