University of Northern Colorado Football

updated December 2025 Ed Lamb was introduced as the head coach at Northern Colorado on Dec. 7, 2022, following seven seasons at BYU where he served as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator. In his third season at the helm, Lamb guided Northern Colorado through a landmark year marked by individual achievement and notable program milestones. The Bears placed five players on the All-Big Sky teams, tying the program’s second-most selections in a single season and its highest total since 2014. Northern Colorado also earned two First Team All-Big Sky honors, matching the second-most in program history. The Bears finished the season 4-8 overall and 2-6 in Big Sky play, recording the program’s most conference wins since 2022 and the most overall wins since 2016. Offensively, the Bears were led by junior wide receiver Carver Cheeks, who produced one of the most prolific seasons in UNC history. Cheeks finished with 71 receptions, the third-most in a single season in program history, while his 929 receiving yards ranked 10th all-time. His six receiving touchdowns tied for 15th-most in a season, and his three 100-yard receiving games tied for 10th. Cheeks also continued to climb the career charts, ranking 14th in career receptions (93) and 16th in career receiving yards (1,274), earning First Team All-Big Sky honors. Defensively, Cam Chapa anchored the Bears’ secondary and delivered a historic season. Chapa led the Big Sky in solo tackles (63) and totaled 88 tackles, four in

Charlie Haake is entering the 2026 season as a Defensive Volunteer Assistant after contributing as an Operations Assistant during the 2025 campaign. A former collegiate running back, Charlie began his playing career at Foothill College in 2017 before continuing at Gavilan College from 2018-19. He later attended the University of Colorado Boulder, earning his bachelor’s degree in sociology in May 2023. Charlie returned to the field for one final season in Fall 2023, competing at Tabor College while pursuing graduate studies. Charlie completed his MBA in Sports Management and Business Leadership from Tabor College in October 2025. His professional experience includes interning with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ video staff during the 2024 training camp, where he gained hands-on exposure to film breakdown, scouting support, and day-to-day football operations. In his current role, Charlie assists the defensive staff with preparation and support throughout the season, bringing a player-first perspective and a strong academic foundation in both sport management and leadership.

FootballSkip AdWulf, ElyBlumentritt, LeoBochert, TysonFernandez, AaronGarcia, IsaiahGrant, TerranceGrauberger, JackGuidry, Itzy Haake, CharlieHadley, Preston Jenkins, JustinLamb, EdNissen, NickPatterson, SpencerPazak, JamesRichards, BrookeRigell, MikeSteckel, NolanThornton, JoshTuiaki, IlaisaWalterscheid, JustinWilliams, MitchWilson, JeremiahWulf, Ely

Northern Colorado Football announced the addition of Ilaisa Tuiaki as Assistant Coach for Linebackers in March 2026, bringing more than 16 years of collegiat...

FootballSkip AdGarcia, IsaiahBlumentritt, LeoBochert, TysonFernandez, AaronGarcia, IsaiahGrant, TerranceGrauberger, JackGuidry, Itzy Haake, CharlieHadley, Preston Jenkins, JustinLamb, EdNissen, NickPatterson, SpencerPazak, JamesRichards, BrookeRigell, MikeSteckel, NolanThornton, JoshTuiaki, IlaisaWalterscheid, JustinWilliams, MitchWilson, JeremiahWulf, Ely

Jack Grouberger joined the Northern Colorado staff as the offensive graduate assistant for the offensive line in 2025. He coached safeties at Colorado Mesa University in 2024. Grouberger served as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Fort Collins High School from 2021-23. He played safety and linebacker at Colorado State University from 2016-19. His hometown is Fort Collins, Colo.

Updated December 2025 James Pazak was named Director of Player Personnel for Northern Colorado football ahead of the 2025 season and continues to work closel...

FootballSkip AdWilson, JeremiahBlumentritt, LeoBochert, TysonFernandez, AaronGarcia, IsaiahGrant, TerranceGrauberger, JackGuidry, Itzy Haake, CharlieHadley, Preston Jenkins, JustinLamb, EdNissen, NickPatterson, SpencerPazak, JamesRichards, BrookeRigell, MikeSteckel, NolanThornton, JoshTuiaki, IlaisaWalterscheid, JustinWilliams, MitchWilson, JeremiahWulf, Ely

Josh Thornton serves as the cornerbacks coach at the University of Northern Colorado, working with the Bears’ defensive backfield and contributing to the continued growth of the program’s pass defense. During the 2025 season, Thornton played a key role in a Northern Colorado secondary that showed significant improvement across multiple defensive metrics. The Bears reduced opponent passing yards allowed from 243.9 yards per game to 211.6, while pass efficiency defense improved from 159.3 to 124.6. UNC also increased its takeaway production, finishing the season with six interceptions and improving third-down defense from 46.8% to 37.7%, reflecting improved coverage discipline and situational execution on the perimeter. Individual development in the cornerbacks room helped support one of the most improved defensive units in the Big Sky Conference, as Northern Colorado lowered scoring defense by more than nine points per game, allowing 28.4 points per contest after surrendering 37.5 the previous season. The Bears also nearly doubled their sack total from nine to 17, benefitting from tighter coverage and improved timing in the pass rush. Thornton’s work at the cornerback position contributed to a defensive unit that ranked among the most improved in the conference, helping stabilize the secondary and support a defense that took measurable steps forward in all phases during the 2025 campaign.

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updated December 2025 Justin Walterscheid completed his third season at Northern Colorado in 2025 after joining the Bears’ football staff in December 2022 an...

Updated December 2025 Mike Rigell serves as the Receivers and Returners Coach at the University of Northern Colorado, joining Head Coach Ed Lamb’s staff in February 2024. Rigell brings extensive coaching experience across multiple levels of football, including collegiate, the CFL, and the NFL. During the 2025 season, Rigell oversaw the development of one of the most productive wide receivers in Northern Colorado history in Carver Cheeks. Cheeks delivered a breakout campaign, finishing with 71 receptions, the third-most in a single season in program history, while his 929 receiving yards ranked 10th all-time. His six receiving touchdowns tied for the 15th-most in a season, and his three 100-yard receiving games tied for 10th in a single season. Cheeks also climbed the career record book, finishing the year ranked 14th in career receptions (93) and 16th in career receiving yards (1,274). His performance earned First Team All-Big Sky honors, highlighting Rigell’s impact on receiver development in his first season with the Bears. Before coming to UNC, Rigell was selected for the Calgary Stampeders internship in the Canadian Football League (CFL), serving as a Wide Receivers and Special Teams Guest Coach. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Simon Fraser University from 2019 to 2023, overseeing all aspects of the program, including recruiting, academics, budgeting, hiring, scheduling, team travel, fundraising, equipment procurement, and alumni and community engagement. Before h

Updated December 2025 Nick Nissen was named tight ends coach at Northern Colorado in December 2022 before being promoted to offensive line coach in 2024 and ...

Nolan Steckel played defensive line at Doane University 2020 through 2023. He began his coaching career at Northridge High School as an Assistant Defensive Line Coach and JV Defensive Coordinator in 2023. In 2024, coached the Defensive Line and continued coordinating for the JV team. Steckel earned his Bachelors in Business Administration in December 2024.

Preston Hadley joined the Bears in December 2022 from BYU. He served as the Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach during the 2023 season before transitioning to Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He enters his fourth season in that role in 2026, continuing to guide the Bears’ defensive growth and development. Under Hadley’s direction in 2025, Northern Colorado’s defense made significant, measurable improvements across nearly every major statistical category. The Bears reduced their scoring defense from 37.5 points per game to 28.4, while also lowering total yards allowed per game from 468.1 to 407.3. UNC improved its passing defense, cutting opponent passing yards from 243.9 to 211.6 per game, and held quarterbacks to a 124.6 pass efficiency rating, down from 159.3 the previous season. The Bears also showed improvement in situational execution, reducing third-down conversion percentage from 46.8% to 37.7%, while nearly doubling their sack total from nine to 17 and increasing takeaway production to 16 total takeaways. Individual development was highlighted by Cam Chapa’s First Team All-Big Sky selection and Hudson Voggesser’s Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors, reflecting continued progress across all three levels of the defense. A respected strategist and recruiter, Hadley also participated in the inaugural Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Coaching Academy in May 2024, a milestone that reflects his emergence as a rising coaching talen

Updated December 2025 Spencer Patterson was named offensive line coach at Northern Colorado in December 2022 and now serves as the Bears’ tight ends coach. Patterson came to UNC after spending four seasons at BYU, where he served as a graduate assistant, primarily working with the offensive line and contributing to the development of a consistent FBS program. Under Patterson’s guidance at Northern Colorado, the tight end position has produced some of the most productive seasons in program history. Charles Garrison recorded 27 receptions in a single season, ranking fourth all-time among UNC tight ends, while his 329 receiving yards stand as the fourth-most single-season total by a tight end in program history. Over his career from 2022-25, Garrison finished with 42 receptions and 525 receiving yards, both ranking among the program’s top career marks for a tight end, reflecting sustained development and consistency at the position. Prior to BYU, Patterson spent the 2018 season at Louisiana Tech as an offensive graduate assistant, helping the Bulldogs earn their fifth consecutive bowl appearance. During his time at LA Tech, he helped coach one First Team All-Conference USA offensive lineman and two Honorable Mention All-Conference selections. Patterson also coached for two seasons at Eastern Kentucky, serving as offensive line quality control coach in 2017 and special teams quality control coach in 2016. During the 2017 season, EKU led the Ohio Valley Conference in passing offen

Terrance Grant joined the University of Northern Colorado football staff in 2024 and enters his third season as the Bears’ running backs coach in 2026. Grant...

FootballSkip AdBochert, TysonBlumentritt, LeoBochert, TysonFernandez, AaronGarcia, IsaiahGrant, TerranceGrauberger, JackGuidry, Itzy Haake, CharlieHadley, Preston Jenkins, JustinLamb, EdNissen, NickPatterson, SpencerPazak, JamesRichards, BrookeRigell, MikeSteckel, NolanThornton, JoshTuiaki, IlaisaWalterscheid, JustinWilliams, MitchWilson, JeremiahWulf, Ely