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| A member of the Westering family had been head coach at Pacific Lutheran since 1971, but with Scott Westering being shown the door this offseason, Trinity (Texas) assistant and former Puget Sound assistant Brant McAdams gets the nod for 2018. Trinity (Texas) athletics photo |
Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication
TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University athletic department has tabbed Brant McAdams as Head Coach of the Lute football team, becoming just the 10th head coach in the program's storied 93-year history. The hire is a result of an extensive nationwide search, guided by Spelman Johnson consulting firm.
McAdams replaces 1998 PLU Hall of Fame inductee Scott Westering, who posted a 73-54 record as head coach of the Lutes from 2004-17. Westering took over for his father, Frosty Westering, who amassed a 261-70-5 record, including four national championships (NAIA: 1980, 1987, 1993; NCAA Division III: 1999) during his tenure from 1972-2003.
"Under Brant's leadership, I look forward to football continuing to be a top-tier program in the Northwest Conference and challenge for national recognition," athletic director Laurie Turner said. "Brant's breadth of experience serving in a variety of roles at various Division III programs, as well as his West Coast ties, allows him to hit the ground running."
McAdams previously served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Division III Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, coaching at his alma mater for the past five seasons. Under his direction, the Tigers had an elite defense, ranking second in the nation in red zone defense and third in the nation in rushing defense in 2015. During his stint as special teams coordinator, the team boasted the seventh-best kick return unit during the 2014 campaign.
"I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to be the next head football coach at Pacific Lutheran University," McAdams said. "I am truly looking forward to getting to know our players and pressing forward with the vision for PLU Football."
No stranger to the Pacific Northwest, McAdams served as the defensive coordinator for three seasons at crosstown rival University of Puget Sound prior to his return to Trinity. McAdams got his coaching start at the University of Redlands, serving as the defensive line coach for two seasons before spending two years at Trinity as the defensive line and the linebackers coach before making the shift to UPS.
"I am very familiar with the high caliber of high school football programs in the Pacific Northwest, the playoff caliber of the Northwest Conference, and the talent and competitiveness of the PLU roster from competing against this program in six of the last eight seasons," McAdams said. "I know we will be able to attract top performers in the classroom and on the football field every year."
"We are excited to have Brant join the program," PLU acting president Allan Belton said. "Brant brings an understanding of the unique nature of PLU athletics and our mission to develop student-athletes focused on academic excellence, personal development, and service to the community. He will be a strong presence and example for the entire campus, not just the football program."
McAdams was a standout defensive end for the Tigers from 2002-05, serving as team captain his senior year. He was named All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference during the 2005 campaign and finished his decorated career with four SCAC Championships, four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, while posting a 40-7 overall record as a Tiger.
"Brant was extremely organized, a great planner, and possesses the ability to create a vision for the future of our football program," Turner said. "I am excited to work with Brant to continue to move our football program as well as our entire athletic department."
McAdams will officially begin his duties on campus on Feb. 26.