Stephen F Austin State University Football

With deep-rooted ties to East Texas, Colby Carthel was the perfect choice to become the Lumberjacks’ 20th head coach when SFA appointed him to the position on December 4, 2018. Carthel, who is a native to Texas and a four-year letterwinner at both Friona High School and Angelo State, has left his mark in the Lone Star State as both a player and a coach. Carthel, with his Texas heritage and ties, has made it a point of emphasis to recruit in-state talent. Carthel, who has been named coach of the year on four separate occasions and took the Lumberjacks to the 2022 Western Athletics Conference Championship (WAC), begins his seventh season as head coach for SFA. Overall, he begins his 13th year as a college head coach and has compiled a career record of 91-53 (.632), and 49-25 (.628) in conference play. Last season, Carthel led the ‘Jacks to seven wins including a 5-1 mark at home in the program’s return to the Southland Conference. Of SFA’s five losses, four were decided by seven or fewer points. Offensively, the ‘Jacks led the SLC in scoring offense (35.6 ppg), redzone offense (.935) and passing efficiency (161.87). SFA’s points per game mark ranked eighth nationally, while the success had by the ‘Jacks inside the opposing 20-yard line ranked fourth among all FCS programs. Defensively in 2024, Carthel’s Lumberjacks boasted a top 20 rushing defense nationally (160.3) and a top 10 passing efficiency defense (111.66) for the league’s second-best total defense at 343.4. SFA forced

FootballMcFadden, BraydenAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

FootballSkip AdShelton, BraydenAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

On January 5, 2026, Stephen F. Austin head football coach Colby Carthel has announced the hiring of Caid Faske as the program’s new defensive coordinator. Fa...

Cameron Rogers is entering his sixth season with the Lumberjacks football team. Cameron Rogers played under Coach Carthel while he was at Texas A&M-Commerce ...

FootballSkip AdBrazell, CasonAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

Chris Smith is entering his sixth season with the Lumberjack program in 2022 and serves as a secondary assistant and the Director of Player Development. Smith joined Coach Carthel's staff after a successful playing career at Texas A&M-Commerce where he was apart of the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship Team. The Smith File Hometown: Mansfield, Texas High School: Mansfield Legacy College: Texas A&M-Commerce (2018) Playing Experience: Texas A&M-Commerce (Played in 52 games in his four-year A&M-Commerce career... Recorded 109 career tackles with eight tackles for loss... Had five career interceptions and two blocked kicks and recorded a safety... Was part of two LSC Championship teams and the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship team) Coaching Experience 2019-Present: SFA | Director of Player Personnel/Sports Performance Assistant/Offensive Assistant (RB)

Derek Whoolery is entering his sixth season as the General Manager & NFL Liaison for the Lumberjacks program. Also entering his 10th year in Nacogdoches. He joined the SFA coaching staff in July of 2019 after graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Sports Business Degree. Whoolery has worked his way into a more prominent role at SFA over the years. Wearing multiple hats with Recruiting, Operations, Equipment, Player Personnel and 4th down strategist. A big believer in Women in Sports, he helped build the “Jackettes” on-campus recruiting department. Over his 6 years at SFA, he has hired 15 women to help the Lumberjacks in operations, recruiting or filming. Multiple women promoted here at SFA or larger programs. Whoolery grew up in Georgetown, TX and went to Florence High School. Whoolery was chosen as a captain as a senior and had playing experience at both quarterback and safety. To get his foot in the door, he created his own college scouting service, NationalMockDrafts. After five years of work (2014-2019), he joined an NFL agency, Capital Sports Advisors, as a Client Evaluator and Recruiter. The Whoolery File Hometown: Georgetown, Texas High School: Florence College: Stephen F. Austin State University Professional Experience 2024: SFA - General Manager / NFL Liaison 2022-2023: SFA - Chief of Staff / NFL Liaison 2021: SFA - Assistant DFO & Recruiting Coordinator / NFL Liaison 2020: SFA - Director of College Scouting 2019: SFA - Volunteer Video Coordinator

FootballWendel, DrewAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

FootballSkip AdPool, EliAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

FootballSkip AdGraf, Garrett Atkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

Known for building championship-caliber defenses and developing elite talent at every level, Gary Salgado brings more than 20 years of collegiate and junior college coaching experience to SFA. He has consistently produced top-ranked units and award-winning players throughout his career. Salgado joined the SFA coaching staff in January of 2026. Salgado most recently served as Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach at Angelo State University (2023–25), where he directed one of the top defensive units in NCAA Division II during the 2024 season. Under his leadership, the Rams finished 9–3, captured the Lone Star Conference Championship, reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs, and closed the year ranked No. 24 nationally. His defense finished among the national leaders in scoring defense (13.1 points per game, 6th), total defense (264.1 yards per game, 14th), opponent passing efficiency (98.84, 9th), and third-down defense (.281, 5th). Angelo State also produced multiple major conference award winners, including Defensive Lineman of the Year Owen Seaver (All American), Linebacker of the Year Eric Rascoe, and Defensive Back of the Year Andrew Pitts, along with six first-team All-Conference honorees. Also, Xavier Walton was Defensive Back of the Year and a First Team All American this past season. Before returning to Angelo State, Salgado spent three seasons at Hutchinson Community College (2020–23) as Defensive Coordinator, Associate Head Coach, and Defensive Line Coach. Dur

Hallie Huysmans is entering her third season with the Lumberjacks. Since joining SFA in May of 2022 she has worked her way up the ladder from an Internship in Recruiting and Operations to Assistant Director of Football operations and Player Personnel / Director of on Campus Recruiting to become the current Director of Football Operations. Huysmans has been associated with sports all the way back to Guyer High School in Denton, Texas where she started as an athletic trainer. She then moved on to athletic training at Tyler Junior College where she obtained an Associate of Science degree in Health and Kinesiology. Soon after that, she became an athletic trainer at Texas Tech University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management with a minor in Public Relations and served an internship for Event Management. Hallie is enthusiastic and energetic with outstanding communication skills and a passion for sports. Hometown: Argyle, Texas High School: Denton Guyer Colleges: Tyler Jr. College, Texas Tech University Certifications and Awards: Certification in CPR and First Aid TJC Student Athletic Trainer of the year: 2018 Full Scholarship recipient 2022 Western Athletic Conference Football Champions

FootballSkip AdChambers, JakeAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

Stephen F. Austin head football coach Colby Carthel has announced the promotion of Jared May as the program’s new offensive coordinator on Tuesday, January 6...

Joshua Atkinson joins the Lumberjacks as their new wide receivers coach. Atkinson spent the previous two seasons (2023-24) with the Colorado State University-Pueblo ThunderWolves as their wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. In his first season with the Pack in 2023, Atkinson's receivers helped the CSU-Pueblo offense finish in the Top 10 in Division II in both passing offense (289.7 yards per game) and scoring (42.0 points per game). Atkinson came to CSU Pueblo after spending the 2022 season as the receiver's coach at Midwestern State University. Before going to Midwestern State, Atkinson, who is a native of Carrollton, Texas, served two seasons (2020-21) as an offensive graduate assistant at Baylor University. He helped the Bears to a 12-2 record in 2021, including wins in the Big 12 Championship Game and the All-State Sugar Bowl, after suffering through a 2-7 season in 2020. Before attending Baylor, Atkinson worked for two years as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Tulsa. Atkinson was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at Tulsa, and the wide receiver closed his Golden Hurricane career with 2,654 yards receiving with 202 receptions, including a pair of 1,000-yard seasons. Atkinson earned a degree in Communications from the University of Tulsa in 2016. Coaching Experience 2025-Present: SFA | Wide Recievers 2023-24: Colorado State University-Pueblo | Wide Receivers and Recruit Coordinator 2022: Midwest State University | Wide Recei

Justin Posthuma was named quarterbacks coach at Stephen F. Austin State University in January 2026, bringing a diverse background in offensive development and quarterback play to the Lumberjacks’ staff. Posthuma joined SFA following multiple seasons with the Florida Gators, where he served in quality control roles working closely with the offensive staff. He spent the 2024 season as quality control for quarterbacks after initially joining the program as quality control for tight ends prior to the 2023 campaign. Before his time at Florida, Posthuma served as an offensive analyst at fellow Southland Conference member Southeastern Louisiana in 2021 and as an offensive graduate assistant at Austin Peay from 2018–19. His early coaching career began internationally as the offensive coordinator for the Paris Mousquetaires in 2015. He also spent time as the quarterbacks coach at Citrus College and as the offensive coordinator at St. Francis High School in La Canada Flintridge, California. Notable football players that Posthuma has helped develop include Greg Dulcich (St. Francis High School), Daniel Scott (St. Francis High School), Cole Kelley (Southeastern Louisiana), Trey Barry (Jacksonville State), Alexander Holllins (Eastern Illinois) and DJ Montgomery (Austin Peay State). A former quarterback, Posthuma played at UCLA, Pasadena City College and Southeastern Louisiana. During his junior college career at PCC, he completed 60 passes for 799 yards and three touchdowns and set a scho

FootballSkip AdGunnell, NelsonAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

Nelson is entering his sixth season with the Lumberjacks program as th Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties Coach. Nelson came to SFA to assist with the cornerbacks in January of 2019 from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Mustangs, led by Coach Bill Maskill, have been one of the most successful programs at the Division 2 level over the past two decades and finished the 2018 season with an 8-2 record in Nelson's only year there. During his time at MSU, Nelson worked under defensive backs coach Freddie Banks, as the Mustangs secondary was near the top of the Lone Star Conference with 15 interceptions, to go along with three All-Conference selections in the defensive backfield. The Nelson File Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas High School: Timber Creek College: Midwestern State Coaching Experience 2019-Present: SFA | Defensive Assistant (CB) & Special Teams Cordinator 2018: Midwestern State | Defensive Backs Assistant

Shaun Whittinghill is entering his first season with SFA after being named the assistant outside linebackers coach in 2025. Whittinghill comes to SFA after coaching at Holy Cross High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where he served as defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach, while also directing the team’s strength and conditioning program. Additionally, he trained several defensive linemen and linebackers who went on to play at the Division 1 and NFL levels, building a reputation for player development and maximizing athletic performance. Before moving into coaching, Whittinghill worked at SFA in athletics academic advising and student-athlete development. In that role, he worked with men’s and women’s basketball, women's soccer, men’s and women’s track & field/cross country, and women’s bowling. As a player, Whittinghill was a defensive end at Austin Peay State University from 2015–2019. He helped lead the Governors to the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Championship and an FCS playoff quarterfinal appearance, the most successful season in program history. That same year, he earned All-OVC honors and was recognized with the Total Gov Award for exemplifying the program’s core values. Coaching Experience 2025–Present: SFA | Assistant Outside Linebackers 2023–24: Holy Cross High School (Ky.) | Defensive Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line / Strength & Conditioning Administrative Experience 2020–23: SFA | Athletics Academic Advising & Student-Athlete Development P

Tim Bleil is entering his fifth season with the Lumberjack program as the assistant coach in charge of tight ends and as the recruiting coordinator. Bleil joins SFA from Lamar where he coached tight ends. Prior to his time at Lamar he had a three-year stint at Texas A&M Commerce under Coach Carthel where he worked with the running backs and receivers. During the 2017 season under Bleil, Vincent Hobbs was named first-team all-conference. He finished the 2018 campaign as the Lone Star Conference’s fourth leading receiver and was a pivotal player in the team’s run to the NCAA Championship. Hobbs was one of two players – running back Carandal Hale – who was recognized by the league that season. Hale’s garnered honorable mention honors after averaging nearly 100 rushing yards per game. He also finished fourth in the LSC recording nearly 1,200 all-purpose yards. As a team the Lions recorded 17 rushing touchdowns and averaging nearly four yards per carry. In 2016, Bleil coached Richard Cooper who led the Lone Star Conference in yards per carry and finished with 1,004 rushing yards. The team averaged 4.9 yards per rush attempt and averaged 147.6 rushing yards per game. Cooper was third in the conference in rushing yards and fourth in all-purpose yards. Under Bleil, Cooper was named first team All-LSC. Bleil joined the Lions after successful stint as the receivers’ coach at West Virginia State. With Bleil on the staff, West Virginia State matched their 2011 through 2014 win totals wit

FootballSkip AdStringer, WestinAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun

FootballSkip AdGregory, XavierAtkinson, JoshBleil, TimBrazell, CasonCarthel, ColbyChambers, JakeFaske, CaidGraf, Garrett Gregory, XavierGunnell, NelsonMay, JaredMcFadden, BraydenNelson, NikPool, EliPosthuma, JustinRichards, JeffRogers, CameronSalgado, GaryShelton, BraydenSmith, ChrisStringer, WestinWendel, DrewWhittinghill, Shaun