Grand Valley State University Football
Coaching Staff

Jack Ginn
Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach

Jack Ginn is set for his fourth year at Grand Valley State as the associate head coach/wide receivers coach. Ginn arrived at Grand Valley State after spending the previous four years as the head coach at North Carolina Wesleyan.

Ginn is known for an innovative, yet balanced offensive scheme. Since his arrival, GVSU has led the GLIAC?and ranked in the top 20 nationally in virtually every offensive category. GVSU has averaged over 35.0 points and 450 yards per game during Ginn's time with the Lakers. In addition, Ginn has tutored six offensive players that have earned All-GLIAC first or second honors in his three years. GVSU is 35-4 during Ginn's tenure with the Lakers.

Ginn started the North Carolina Wesleyan football program in 2004 and quickly established the Blue & Gold as a USA South contender. In four years, he compiled a 23-17 overall record and an 18-9 USA South mark, having produced the first-ever undefeated conference champion with a 7-0 league record in 2007. Additionally, Ginn produced 42 All-Conference players, two Defensive Rookies of the Year, two Offensive Rookies of the Year, and two Offensive Players of the Year.

North Carolina Wesleyan earned its first NCAA Tournament berth and playoff win in 2007, becoming the first-ever #8 seed to knock off a #1 seed when the Bishops upset Washington and Jefferson by a 35-34 score. In just four seasons of play, Ginn took North Carolina Wesleyan from unknown status to a spot in the Division National III top 25.

Ginn joined North Carolina Wesleyan with 15 years of college coaching experience, including stints at NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions. In those 15 seasons, Ginn was a part of 130 victories and just 28 defeats, having spent almost equal time coaching offense and defense.

Prior to coming to North Carolina Wesleyan, Ginn served two years as an assistant coach at Shepherd College, an NCAA Division II school in Shepherdstown, WV. During his tenure, Shepherd compiled a two-year record of 15-5, and set 16 offensive school records. From 1997-2000, Ginn was the Offensive Coordinator at Wartburg College, a NCAA Division III school in Waverly, IA . His offense averaged 35 points per game over the four-year period, setting 19 school records and helping Wartburg achieve a 35-6 record.

Ginn began his coaching career in 1987 as a part-time assistant at his alma mater, Emory & Henry College. Emory & Henry concluded the 1987 campaign with an appearance in the NCAA Division III national semifinals. Ginn spent the 1988 and 1989 seasons as a graduate assistant at the University of Illinois. The Illini played in the 1988 All-American Bowl (vs. Florida) and the 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl (vs. Virginia). Ginn returned to his alma mater in the fall of 1990, coaching the secondary for six years. Emory & Henry won four conference championships and compiled a record of 49-14 during his stay.

Ginn and his wife, Sherri, have three children: daughter Katherine (15), son Adam (10), and son Carter (9).

Eric Koehler
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach

Eric Koehler enters his fourth season on the Laker coaching staff and his second as the Laker offensive coordinator. In addition to directing the Laker offense, Koehler will coach the quarterbacks. Prior to arriving at GVSU, Koehler spent six years at Wartburg (Iowa) University, including the final two years as head coach.

A promoter of a balanced offensive attack, Koehler guided an offense that averaged 216.3 yards per game rushing and 221.3 yards per game passing in 2010. In addition, the Lakers averaged 6.7 yards per play, 437.6 yards per game and 36.1 yards per game in his first season running the offense with a first-year quarterback.

Koehler was a key contributor to a GVSU offense that ranked ninth nationally in rushing (237.3 ypg), 11th in total offense (455.1 ypg) and 12th in scoring (36.8 ppg) in 2009. In addition, the Laker offense ranked among the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference leaders in virtually every offensive category. Koehler tutored quarterback Brad Iciek during the 2008 and 2009 campaigns, helping the Laker signal caller earn First-Team All-GLIAC plaudits and GLIAC?Offensive Back of the Year honors in 2009. In addition, GVSU is 24-3 since Koehler joined the staff.

Eric tutored 2008 GLIAC?Offensive Back of the Year in running back James Berezik, as well as All-GLIAC performers Blake Smolen and P.T. Gates. The Lakers ranked 10th in the nation in scoring (38.5 ppg), 13th in sacks allowed (1.08), 14th in rushing (228.4) and 25th in total offense (429.0). GVSU also ranked among the league leaders in virtually ever offensive category.

Koehler led Wartburg to a 16-4 overall mark in his two years at the helm, including a 13-3 mark in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Knights were 8-2 in 2007 and ranked as high as number 10 in the 2007 American Football Coaches Association DIII poll during the season. Wartburg finished second in DIII in scoring defense (8.5 ppg), 10th in total defense (248.0) and 15th in rushing defense (86.0 ypg) in 2007. Offensively, Wartburg averaged 27.5 points and 385.5 yards of total offense per game. Wartburg also finished 8-2 under Koehler in 2006. Including his tenure as an assistant, Wartburg was 52-13 overall with three NCAA DIII playoff appearances. Wartburg ranked among the leaders in every offensive category with Koehler directing the offense. His 2002 and 2003 offensive units led the IIAA in total offense and scoring offense. In addition, the Wartburg offense ranked among the national leaders in DIII in both rushing and passing.

Eric and his wife, Heidi, reside in Jenison.

Matt Yoches
Defensive Line Coach

Matt Yoches enters his sixth year on the Laker coaching staff and will coach the defensive line in 2011. In addition to coaching the defensive line, Yoches will serve as the recruiting coordinator. Yoches' defensive lines have been some of the most dominant in DII football the last five years, evidenced by 13 All-GLIAC honors and five all-america selections among his position group. The defensive line spearheaded a defensive unit that ranked nationally in several categories, including in the top 20 for sacks and tackles for loss.

Yoches' 2010 defensive line was hit hard by the injury bug, however, those same performers that missed either the entire season or a significant portion of the season return for the 2011 campaign.

The 2009 Laker defensive line played a key role in a defense that ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense (17.7 ppg), 17th in rushing defense (95.6 ypg), and 13th in QB sacks (48). In addition, the Laker defense recorded 107 tackles for loss, a total that led the GLIAC?and ranked 47th nationally. The Laker defense led the GLIAC?in five categories and ranked among the top 10 in every listing. Yoches tutored junior defensive end Danny Richard, the 2009 GLIAC?Defensive Lineman of the Year, while Nick Lawrence and Alex Gilde earned All-GLIAC?plaudits.

The 2008 Laker defense led the GLIAC?in six different categories and ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense (4th/12.6), QB sacks (2nd/4.17) and tackles for loss (6th/9.17). GVSU also ranked 17th in total defense (278.9), tallied two shutouts and limited seven opponents to 10 points or less on the year. Justin Victor and Brad Howard both earned All-GLIAC?honors as linebackers under Yoches.

Yoches guided the 2007 GVSU defensive line to 28 QB sacks and 49.5 tackles for loss. GVSU led the GLIAC in scoring defense (14.5), total defense (303.6), pass efficiency defense (95.6) and QB sacks (42), while ranking second in pass defense (154.7) and rush defense (148.9). Grand Valley State held nine-of-13 opponents under 14 points and only one scored more than 21 points. Junior Dan Skuta earned all-america honors, while senior Ryan Gaydosh and freshman Danny Richard earned All-GLIAC?plaudits.

Yoches' defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage in 2006. The Laker defensive line played a key role in holding opponents to seven points or less five times, including a shutout in the season-opener at Findlay. GVSU led the nation in QB sacks per game (3.53), while ranking fifth in turnovers gained (37). The Lakers held 8-of-15 foes under 100 yards rushing. Four members of the Laker defensive line ranked among the top eight tacklers and accounted for 57 tackles for loss and 28 quarterback sacks. Defensive tackle Mike McFadden was honored as the GLIAC?Defensive Lineman of the Year for the second straight year and became the first two-time winner of the Gene Upshaw Award which is presented to the top interior lineman in Division II football. Defensive tackle Derrick Jones joined McFadden on the All-GLIAC First-Team.

Yoches turned in a stellar four-year career for the Lakers on the defensive line (2000-2003). A four-year letterwinner for the Lakers on the defensive front, Yoches was part of GVSU's back-to-back National Championship teams in 2002-03. He tallied 38 tackles, 12 tackles for loss (-67) and five QB sacks (-42) during his senior campaign. Matt received All-GLIAC plaudits and was named to the CoSIDA District Four All-Academic squad as a senior.

Yoches recorded 68 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss (-67) and seven QB sack (-42) in his career. GVSU was 48-6 during his career with two National Championships and two GLIAC titles.

A Dearborn Heights, Mich. native, Matt graduated from Grand Valley State in 2004 with a movement science degree and is currently working on his master's. Matt and his wife, the former Adrienne Lubeck, are the proud parents of Samuel (4) and Danielle (2).

Eddie Brown
Running Backs Coach

Eddie Brown enters his fifth year on the coaching staff and will be coaching the running backs for the second straight year. Brown is known for his ability to adapt, evidenced by his coaching on both sides of the ball during his time at Grand Valley State. Brown joined the GVSU staff in 2007 after two seasons as an assistant coach at Mansfield University.

Brown's running back unit ranked 14th nationally, averaging 216.31 yards per game in 2010. He tutored First-Team All-GLIAC performer Justin Sherrod in 2010 and will have possibly the deepest stable of running backs in the country in 2011. Norman Shuford, Hersey Jackson, Jake Aberg, Michael Ratay, Billy Seiler, Chris Robinson and Kirk Spencer will tote the ball.

Brown coached the defensive backs in 2009 and his unit helped th Laker defense rank 15th nationally in scoring defense (17.7 ppg), 17th in rushing defense (95.6 ypg), and 13th in QB sacks (48). In addition, the Laker secondary picked off 21 passes and tallied 30 pass deflections. The Laker defense led the GLIAC?in five categories and ranked among the top 10 in every listing. Eddie coach All-GLIAC performers Matt Bakker and Jake McGuckin.

The Lakers' defensive line dominated action in the trenches in 2008, led by GLIAC?Defensive Lineman of the Year Dan Skuta.
The 2008 Lakers led the GLIAC?in six different categories and ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense (4th/12.6), QB sacks (2nd/4.17) and tackles for loss (6th/9.17). GVSU also ranked 17th in total defense (278.9), tallied two shutouts and limited seven opponents to 10 points or less on the year. In addition to Skuta earning postseason honors, Danny Richard garnered all-america plaudits and Alex Gilde was and All-GLIAC selection.

Brown tutored a record-setting running back unit in 2007 when senior Preston Garris, sophomore Blake Smolen and freshman James Berezik earned GLIAC postseason honors. Berezik was named the 2007 GLIAC?Freshman of the Year and set a GVSU freshman rushing record with 1,021 yards on 137 carries. He averaged 7.5 yards per carry. Smolen added 869 yards rusing yards and averaged 7.4 yards per carry, while Garries toted the ball 514 yards. GVSU ranked second in the GLIAC in rushing yards per game (241.2) and third in scoring (38.2) in 2007. The Laker offense, which ranked among the top three in six seperate GLIAC categories, broke the 40-point mark eight times.

Prior to his two-year stint at Mansfield, Brown had a sterling 13-year career in the Arena Football League as a defensive back/wide receiver. Brown was a key performer for the Tampa Bay Storm as they captured Arena Bowl Championship titles in 1991, 1993 and 1995. In addition, Brown played for the New York City Hawks and the Buffalo Destroyers during his professional playing career in the Arena Football League. Eddie was named the team MVP at each of the professional teams in which he played for and the Buffalo Destroyers changed the Big Hit Award to the Eddie Brown Award.

Brown prepped at Muskegon High School and was a key performer on the Big Reds' Class A State Championship team in 1985. Eddie spent two years at Grand Rapids Community College, rushing for 1,088 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1988. Brown then took his talents to Michigan State where he was a standout for the Spartans on the gridiron. Brown started as a wide receiver for the Aloha Bowl Champions in 1989, then as a defensive back for the Big 10 and John Hancock Bowl Champions in 1990. Brown was named the Most Improved Player for the Spartans his senior year (1990).

Brown and his wife, Meisha (Mee-Sha) are the proud parents of NaTasha (22) and Autmn (3).

Tim Morrison
Offensive Line

Tim Morrison enters his second year coaching the offensive line at Grand Valley State. Morrison's offensive line in 2010 played a key role in an offense that ranked nationally in several categories, including 14th in rushing offense (216.3), 16th in scoring offense (36.1) and 17th in total offense (437.6).

Morrison tutored three All-GLIAC honorees in 2010, including first-team performers Cameron Bradfield and Matt Armstrong. Bradfield signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Armstrong is a preseason all-american.

Prior to his arrival at GVSU, Morrison spent nine years as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Wartburg. In addition, Morrison spent the two years (2008-2009) as the offensive coordinator for the Knights. Wartburg was 66-17 during his time on the staff, including four trips to the NCAA DIII playoffs. The Knights ranked as one of the top offensive units in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and in Division III with Morrison at the helm of the offense. Wartburg used a balanced attack en route to setting several team and individual records, while his offensive lines allowed just 48 quarterback sacks in over 1,600 passing attempts from 2002-2009. Tim spent two years (1999-2000) coaching the linebackers and special teams at Allegheny College.

"I am excited to join the Grand Valley State football program," said Morrison. "GVSU has a storied history and you can feel the excitement surrounding Laker football each and every day."

Morrison earned four letters (1995-1999) and was the starting fullback for three seasons at Wartburg. He was voted team captain as a senior. Morrison earned a B.A. degree in secondary education at Wartburg in 1999 and completed his masters of arts in education degree from Viterbo (Wis.) University in July of 2007.

Tim and his wife, Betsy, reside in Grandville.

Nick Postma
Defensive Backs

Nick Postma enters his second year as the defensive backs coach at Grand Valley State. Postma is making his second stint on the Laker coaching staff, having served as a graduate assistant in 2007.

Postma tutored two All-GLIAC?performers (Zach Breen and Rob Carlisle) in 2010 and returns several key performers that are expected to make significant contributions in 2011. Postma's secondary picked off 18 passes and notched 35 pass deflections as a group in 2010.

Prior to his return to GVSU, Postma spent two years as an assistant coach at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio where he coached the defensive backs. Nick spent the 2006 campaign at Gannon University as a defensive backs coach.

A graduate of Saginaw Valley State, Postma earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science in June of 2005. Postma was a four-year letterwinner and a three-year starter for the Cardinals on the gridiron as a strong safety. Saginaw Valley State appeared in the NCAA Division II playoffs each of his playing seasons, while also capturing a GLIAC?Championship in 2003. SVSU compiled an overall record of 39-9 and a GLIAC mark of 34-6 during his career. Postma, who recorded 110 career tackles, earned All-GLIAC?honors as a senior.

"It is exciting to return to Grand Valley State and the football program," said Postma. "Grand Valley State has an incredible tradition on the football field and I am eager to get going and prepare for spring practice."

Chris Simpson
Linebackers

Chris Simpson enters his second year on the Laker coaching staff and will be coaching the linebackers. Simpson, who tutored two All-GLIAC honorees in 2010 in Justin Victor and Luther Ware, joined GVSU after spending two years on the Nebraska-Omaha staff as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator.

Simpson's linebacking unit helped the Laker defense rank nationally in several categories, including the top 20 in tackles for loss and QB sacks. Simpson returns five linebackers that played significant roles in the 2010 defense.

The Mavericks were 14-9 with one appearance in the NCAA DII playoffs during his time on the staff. Simpson spent five years at DIII power Wisconsin-Whitewater where he was an assistant coach in charge of the linebackers. UWW was 42-3 his final three seasons with three straight NCAA DIII National Championship game appearances and three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crowns. The Warhawks claimed the 2007 National Championship and turned in an overall mark of 56-9 during his five years on the staff.

In addition, Simpson coached two years (1999-2000) at Waunakee (Wis.) High School, one year (2001) at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, as a graduate assistant and one year (2002) at Wisconsin-Platteville. In the summer of 2006, Simpson was selected as a participant at the NCAA Men's Football Coaches Academy. He also has received an NFL Minority Coaching Internship the past four years, from the Green Bay Packers, for defensive line and special teams in the summer of 2006, in 2007 with the Dallas Cowboys, in 2008 with the Carolina Panthers and in 2009 with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.

"I am extremely pleased to become a member of the Grand Valley State football staff and join a program that is as highly regarded as that of Laker football," said Simpson.

Simpson graduated with a bachelor's degree from Wisconsin-Whitewater in physical education in 1998. He earned his masters in curriculum and instruction in 2004. Simpson and his wife, Nicole, reside in Hudsonville with three kids: Jarryn (11), Riley (8), Noah (4).