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. Entering his 20th season with the Red Hawks in 2010, Ernst already is the winningest coach in Ripon College history. Ernst's overall record now stands at 125-60-0 for a .676 winning percentage.

Ernst has led the Red Hawks to 18 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) and the Wisconsin Football Private College Coach of the Year on two occasions (2001 and 2008). In March of 2009, Ernst was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) Hall of Fame.

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, who is a defensive back for the Red Hawks.

Assistant Coaches

Rick Coles is in his 11th year at Ripon College. This season is Coles’ sixth 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 2009 season will be his 31st as a coach, and 25th at the collegiate level. Coles is an active member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and currently serves as the chair of the AFCA Division III Assistant Coaches Committee.

Before coming to Ripon, Coles was the head coach of Midwest Conference rival Lawerence University from 1993-98, where his offense was consistently ranked among the nation’s best. Prior to that, he served as the offensive coordinator at Cornell (Iowa) College, where he helped them win the 1992 MWC Championship with a 10-0 record. Coles began his collegiate coaching career at Coe College, where he served as an assistant coach for five years. In his first season as a coach at Coe, Coles helped the team win the MWC Championship, culminating in a NCAA playoff appearance.

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. Coles and his wife Nancy have four children, Michael, 28, and triplet daughters, Sara, Jennifer, and Katie, 25.

Jimmy Dahm is in his seventh 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 fourth 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, 38, and Matt, 36, and two grandchildren.

Bill Kinziger is in his second season as an assistant coach with the Red Hawks. He is in charge of coaching the 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 12th season at Ripon and 23rd 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, 26, Louisa, 19, Kaitlyn, 16, and Jacob, 15.

Mike Schmitt is in his third 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, 15, Ryan, 13, and Erin, 9.

Jason Wickstrom is is in his first season as a coach for the Red Hawk football team, where he is in charge of the slot backs. Wickstrom spent last year as an assistant coach with the Ripon College basketball team. Wickstrom is originally from Ripon, Wis., where he attended Ripon High School.

Matt Birschbach is in his first season as an assistant coach with the Red Hawks. He will help with coaching on the offensive side of the ball. Birschbach is no stranger to the Ripon football program, having played for the Red Hawks from 2004-07. In those four years as a running back, Birschbach scored six touchdowns, while amassing 468 rushing yards.

Joshua Kraemer is in his first season as a defensive assistant coach, after an outstanding career as a player for the Red Hawks. A 2009 graduate of Ripon College, Kraemer ended his career tied for the fourth most interceptions in school history with 17. Kraemer intercepted six passes in each of his final two seasons with the team. As a return man, Kraemer recorded two of the top 10 longest punt returns in school history, as well as three of the top 10 longest kickoff returns. At the conclusion of Kraemer’s senior year, he was named the 2008 Wisconsin Private College Player of the Year. His long list of awards in 2008 also included D3football.com All-American Honorable Mention Defense, All-Region Second Team Defense, All-Region Third Team Special Teams, All-Conference First Team Defense and All-Conference Second Team Offense. Kraemer also earned All-Conference awards as a sophomore and junior.

Vince Spratte is in his first season as an assistant defensive coach for the Red Hawks. Spratte graduated from Ripon in 2009, after playing safety for the Red Hawks from 2005-08. In Spratte’s four-year career with the Red Hawks, he intercepted six passes, while also finishing in the top five on the team in tackles in three of his four seasons.

Jake VanGroll is in his first season as an offensive assistant coach with the Red Hawks. VanGroll is a junior at Ripon, where he spent his sophomore season playing as a defensive lineman. VanGroll is a native of Denmark, Wis.

HOME | ABOUT RIPON | ADMISSION | ACADEMICS | STUDENT LIFE | ATHLETICS | OFFICES & RESOURCES
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS | CAMPUS COMMUNITY | ALUMNI | PARENTS
CONTACT: 300 Seward Street | PO Box 248 | Ripon, WI 54971-0248 | adminfo@ripon.edu | (800) 947-4766