Ripon College Athletic Department
(920) 748-8133
jessl@ripon.edu

Head Coach Ron Ernst

Head Coach Ron Ernst hit an important milestone in 2006, winning his 100th career game. In his 18th season with the Red Hawks, Ernst already is the winningest coach in Ripon College history. Ernst's overall record now stands at 118-57-0 for a .674 winning percentage, the highest of any active MWC coach.

Ernst has led the Red Hawks to 16 winning seasons, three division titles (1995, 1996 and 1997) in the now-defunct North Division and two MWC titles (1996 and 2001).

He was named the Midwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1996 when he led the team to a record nine-win season. He also has been named the NCAA Division III Region 5 Coach of the Year (1995). Most recently, he was named 2001 Wisconsin Football Private College Coach of the Year.

Ernst previously served as the defensive line coach at the University of Northern Colorado from 1988-1990. He also served as the head football coach at three different high schools in Nebraska and Colorado, winning a conference championship at each school. In 1987, Ernst was named Colorado AAA Coach of the Year by the Denver Post.

A native of Hastings, Neb., Ernst is a 1980 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan where he received his bachelor's degree in social science and physical education. He earned his master's degree in physical education and athletic administration at the University of Northern Colorado in 1990. While attending Nebraska Wesleyan, Ernst was a four-year letterman in football, a three-year letterman in track and earned one letter in baseball.

In addition to his football duties, Ernst also serves as an associate professor in the Department of Exercise Science and assistant athletic director. Ernst resides in Ripon with his wife, Janet. They have three sons: Tim, 26, Bryan 23, and John, 19.

Assistant Coaches

Rick Coles is in his tenth year at Ripon College. This season is Coles’ fifth as the Red Hawk’s offensive coordinator. Coles also serves as the team’s offensive line coach. Coles is no stranger to the football field, as the 2008 season will be his 30th as a coach, and 24th at the collegiate level. Coles is an active member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and currently serves as the Midwest Conference representative to the AFCA Assistant Coaches Committee

Before coming to Ripon, Coles was the head coach of Midwest Conference rival Lawerence University, where his offense was consistently ranked among the nation’s best.

Coles earned his B.A. in History and Physical Education from Coe College in 1979, where he was named First Team All-Conference as an offensive lineman. Coles then went on to earn his M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa in 1984.

In addition to his football coaching duties at Ripon, Coles also serves as an Associate Professor of Exercise Science, as well as the Head Coach of the swimming and diving teams. Coles and his wife Nancy have four children, Michael, 27, and triplet daughters, Sara, Jennifer, and Katie, 24.

Jimmy Dahm is in his sixth season as the defensive line coach for the Red Hawks. Dahm graduated from Ripon College in 2002 with a B.A. in History. While attending Ripon, Dahm played defensive end for the Red Hawks. Dahm also currently works as the recreation coordinator at the Heidel House Resort in Green Lake.

Keith Hensler is in his third season on the Ripon coaching staff, handling the quarterback and fullback coaching duties. This year marks Hensler’s 39th as a coach. Hensler earned his B.A. in Physical Education from Midwestern College in 1969, where he played running back and defensive back. Hensler and his wife Mary have two children, Stacy, 37, and Matt, 35, and two grandchildren.

Bill Kinziger joined the Ripon coaching staff for the 2008 season, his first as a collegiate coach. He will be in charge of coaching the Red Hawk linebackers. Prior to coming to Ripon College, Kinziger served as the defensive coordinator at Ripon High School. While at RHS, Kinziger helped win two state championships with the Tigers. In addition to his Ripon College coaching duties, Kinziger also teaches geography at Ripon High School. Kinziger is originally from Clintonville, Wis.

Dan Lueck returns to the Ripon coaching staff for his 11th season at Ripon and 22nd overall. Lueck is in charge of the defensive backs. Lueck graduated from Ripon College in 1986 with a B.S. in P.E. and Psychology. Lueck and wife Shelley have four children, Jessica, 25, Louisa, 18, Kaitlyn, 15, and Jacob, 14.

Ken Piaro is in his third season as a coach for the Red Hawks, where is in charge of the slot backs. Piaro has 26 years of coaching experience at the high school level, including stints at Racine, Hillsboro, and Mukwonago. Piaro recieved his B.S. in business from UW-Whitewater in 1973. Piaro then went on to earn his M.S. from UW-Whitewater in 1980. Piaro is currently retired from Racine Unified after 32 years of service, and lives with his wife Carol.

Mike Schmitt is in his second year with the Red Hawks as the team’s wide receivers coach. Schmitt is originally from Columbus, Wis., where he was a three-sport athlete at Columbus High School. Schmitt then went on to earn his B.S. in Physical Education and Health from UW-Stevens Point, where he played on the defensive line for the Pointers. Schmitt has had coaching stints at Waupun, Dodgeland, and Randolph, including the head coaching job at Waupun for 13 years. Schmitt currently resides in Waupun, where he teaches physical education and health at Waupun High School. He lives with his wife Barb and three children Adam, 14, Ryan, 12, and Erin, 8.

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