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| Jace Rindahl |
UW-Whitewater has announced Jace Rindahl as the next head coach of the Warhawk Football program. Rindahl, a Warhawk alumnus and assistant coach for the last eight seasons, has served as the interim head coach since Kevin Bullis announced his retirement following the 2022 campaign. Rindahl's tenure at the helm of Warhawk football will begin immediately.
"I am extremely excited to announce Jace Rindahl as our next head football coach," said athletic director Ryan Callahan. "Jace has been a great coordinator, recruiter and mentor to the student-athletes and coaches since he came back to Whitewater in 2015. We have been fortunate to have coaches like Forrest Perkins, Bob Berezowitz, Lance Leipold and Kevin Bullis who built the foundation for continued success for our football program. I have no doubt that Jace will continue to build on that foundation while creating his own legacy."
"I know there is great responsibility that comes with this role," said Rindahl. "As a former student-athlete and assistant coach, I feel my time in this program has helped prepare me for this opportunity and I am ready to serve our football team, athletic department, university and community. My wife and I could not be more excited for my opportunity to be the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater."
Rindahl is the 22nd head coach in the 134-year history of the UW-Whitewater football program. After a brief stint as an assistant at Division I FCS South Dakota, Rindahl returned to UWW as the run defense coordinator and linebackers coach in 2015. He became the defensive coordinator in March 2020, and was promoted to assistant head coach prior to the 2022 season.
Rindahl's defense has been at the pinnacle of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and one of the best in Division III since joining the staff. In seven seasons of competition (there was no competition in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Rindahl's rushing defense led the WIAC six times and ranked among the top 20 nationally on four occasions. UWW's scoring defense led the league four times and ranked among the top 20 in Division III five seasons in that span.
"There is great potential and support here at UW-Whitewater," added Rindahl. "We will continue to enhance and build the program to always strive to be the best that we can be."
During Rindahl's most recent stint on staff at UW-Whitewater, the Warhawks have won five WIAC titles, advanced to the NCAA Playoffs six seasons with a national runner-up finish in 2019, national semifinal appearances in 2015, 2018 and 2021 and a trip to the quarterfinals in 2016.
A member of the UW-Whitewater football team from 2005-08, Rindahl was a First Team All-American and D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year as a senior linebacker in 2008. That season, he led the Warhawks to their fourth straight appearance in the Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Division III National Championship. In 2007, Rindahl tallied 107 tackles and posted four interceptions to help lead the Warhawks to their first NCAA Division III title. Rindahl was selected to the WIAC's All-Time Football Team in 2011.
Rindahl's coaching journey began immediately following his playing career. He served as linebackers coach and special teams assistant for the Warhawks from 2009-12. UW-Whitewater won three conference titles and three national championships during that span. He spent a two-year stint at the University of South Dakota as the running backs coach before returning to Whitewater.
A native of Cambridge, Wisconsin, Rindahl graduated from UW-Whitewater with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 2010. He earned his master's degree in professional development in 2012.
A Warhawk through and through, Rindahl expressed his thoughts on the fall. "I feel that we have the right people in our program to accomplish our vision, and I am very excited for the 2023 season."