Bowling Green State University Football Coach Dino Babers has announced his coaching staff. Babers has
retained secondary coach Nick Monroe from 2013 MAC Championship team, while bringing the remainder of
his coaching staff with him from Eastern Illinois.
Babers has appointed co-offensive coordinators in Sterlin Gilbert and Matt Mattox. Gilbert spent two
seasons as offensive coordinator at EIU, earning Coordinator of the Year honors from FootballScoop.
Mattox, who played for Art Briles at Houston, was the offensive line coach at Eastern Illinois a season
ago.
Kim McCloud will come to Bowling Green as the defensive coordinator after serving in the same position at
Eastern Illinois under Babers during the past two seasons. Tom Kaufman will serve as special teams
coordinator for the Falcons next season.
Mike Lynch, Sean Lewis and Tom Freeman will also join Babers’ staff from Eastern Illinois, where all
three served as assistant coaches last season.
Sean Edinger, Director of Strength and Conditioning, and Roy Wittke, Director of Football Operations,
will be members of the support staff at Bowling Green. Both of them served in the same capacity at
Eastern Illinois.
Dino Babers
Dino Babers, who was introduced as the 18th coach in program history on Dec. 18, 2013, begins his first
season as head football coach at Bowling Green State University in 2014. Babers comes to Northwest Ohio
after two very successful seasons as the head coach at Eastern Illinois University.
“We are so proud to have Dino and his family join Bowling Green State University,” Kingston began. “Dino
brings with him an incredible resume of successful experiences that absolutely fit the Falcon football
program. He is a proven winner who is in the business of developing young men who desire success on the
field, in the classroom and in the community. His ability to maximize talent through skill development
is unmatched.”
Babers brings 29 years of coaching experience, including a 19-7 record as a head coach. In 2013, Babers
led Eastern Illinois to a 12-2 record, a No. 2 national ranking, and a quarterfinal appearance in the
FCS playoffs. The Panthers outscored their opponents 675-319 in 2013. Upon his arrival at EIU, Babers
took a Panthers team, which had finished in last place in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2011, and led
them to a first-place finish in 2012 with a 6-1 league mark. It was just the fourth time in OVC history
in which a team had gone from worst-to-first in a single season. For his efforts, he was named Ohio
Valley Conference Coach of the Year in each of the past two years.
During his two seasons at EIU, Babers led the best offense in all of FCS. The Panthers led the nation in
yards per game (589.5) and points per game (48.2) in 2013. In addition, EIU averaged 372.4 yards per
game through the air and 217.1 yards per game on the ground.
“I am honored and excited to join the Falcon family,” Babers said. “BGSU has great facilities and the
fans are proving that their support of BGSU football is among the best in the MAC. I want to thank
President Mazey, Chris Kingston and Lesley Irvine for the opportunity to take over the Bowling Green
program. My family and I are excited to be in Bowling Green and be Falcons. I want to thank the Eastern
Illinois players and fans for their support the last two years, especially President Perry and
(athletics director) Barbara Burke.”
Under the guidance of Babers, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was named the Walter Payton Award winner, the
FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy — given to the nation’s best player. Garoppolo threw for 5,050
yards and 53 touchdowns in 2013. During his two seasons under Babers’ guidance, he has thrown for 8,873
yards and 84 scores.
Babers, best-known for his offensive firepower, has proven to be an effective defensive coach, as well.
The Panthers were in the top 30 nationally in scoring defense, red zone defense, and passing defense
efficiency. They are also one of the most prolific defenses in the all of FCS at forcing turnovers, as
they are sixth in the nation with a plus-14 turnover margin. EIU forced 37 turnovers on the year and
ranks first in the country with 23 fumbles recovered.
Both Garoppolo and wide receiver Erik Lora were named the best at their position by the FCS Athletic
Directors Association. Lora followed up his record breaking 2012 season (in which he was named OVC
Player of the Year) by catching 123 passes for 1,554 yards and 19 touchdowns in 14 games. The 123
catches were the second-most in FCS history, trailing only the record-setting 136 catches he had in
2012. The 1,544 yards were the second-most in OVC history (behind only his record of 1,664 set last
year) and 15th in FCS history. His 19 receiving touchdowns were the most in OVC history as were his 35
career receiving touchdowns.
Under Babers, Eastern Illinois’ offense used the talents of more than just one receiver, as four wideouts
had at least 700 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013. Adam Drake joined Lora with over 1,000 yards in
2013, as he caught 85 passes for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns. In addition to the aerial assault, EIU
featured a dynamic rushing attack. As a team, the Panthers had 35 rushing touchdowns and featured two
backs who had big years. Shepard Little rushed for 1,551 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season, while
Taylor Duncan had 988 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Prior to becoming the head coach at Eastern Illinois, Babers spent four seasons at Baylor under Art
Briles from 2008-11. During his time in Waco, he served as the special teams’ coordinator, recruiting
coordinator, and outside receivers coach, coaching NFL stars such as Robert Griffin III, Kendall Wright,
and Josh Gordon. Prior to that, he spent four seasons at UCLA as an assistant head coach, recruiting
coordinator and wide receivers coach. His other coaching stints have included stops at Pittsburgh, Texas
A&M, Arizona, San Diego State, Purdue, Northern Arizona, Nevada, Eastern Illinois, Arizona
State, and Hawaii.
More impressively, Babers has mentored 27 receivers who have played in the NFL, and several other top
draft picks. Among the players who have been coached by Babers, six of them were drafted in the first
two rounds. The Tennessee Titans drafted wide receiver Kendall Wright in the first round, while running
back Trung Candidate was a first round pick by the St. Louis Rams in 2000. Four others—wide receivers
Brian Alford, Will Blackwell, Dennis Northcutt and Josh Gordon—were taken in the second round.
Babers was a four-year starter at the University of Hawaii, Academic All-WAC, and captain his senior
year. He is married to his wife Susan. They have four daughters—Breeahnah (22), Tasha (20), Jazzmin
(19), and Paris (16).
Career
Head Coach – Bowling Green (December 18, 2013 – present)
Head Coach – Eastern Illinois (2011-13)
Assistant Coach – Baylor (2008-11)
Assistant Head Coach – UCLA (2004-07)
Assistant Coach – Pittsburgh (2003)
Offensive Coordinator – Texas A&M (2001-02)
Off. Coordinator / Asst. Coach – Arizona (1995-2000)
Assistant Coach – San Diego State (1994)
Assistant Coach – Purdue (1991-93)
Assistant Coach – Northern Arizona (1990)
Assistant Coach – UNLV (1988-89)
Assistant Coach – Eastern Illinois (1987)
Graduate Assistant – Arizona State (1985-86)
Graduate Assistant – Hawai’i (1984)
Postseason Appearances
2013 – FCS Playoffs (Eastern Illinois)
2012 – FCS Playoffs (Eastern Illinois)
2011 – Alamo Bowl (Baylor)
2010 – Texas Bowl (Baylor)
2007 – Las Vegas Bowl (UCLA)
2006 – Emerald Bowl (UCLA)
2005 – Sun Bowl (UCLA)
2004 – Las Vegas Bowl (UCLA)
2003 – Continental Tire Bowl (Pittsburgh)
2001 – Galleryfurniture.com Bowl (Texas A&M)
1998 – Holiday Bowl (Arizona)
1997 – Insight.com Bowl (Arizona)
1987 – Rose Bowl (Arizona State)
1985 – Holiday Bowl (Arizona State)
Playing Career
Four year starter at Hawai’i
Free Agent signee with British Columbia Lions (Canadian Football League)
Education
Bachelors – 1984 from Hawai’i
Masters – 1988 from Arizona State
Sterlin Gilbert (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
Sterlin Gilbert begins his first season as co-offensive coordinator at Bowling Green in 2014, after
serving as offensive coordinator at Eastern Illinois for two seasons. Gilbert was named FootballScoop’s
FCS Coordinator of the Year in 2013 and he will coach the quarterbacks.
The Panthers led the nation in yards per game (589.5) and points per game (48.2) in 2013. In addition,
EIU averaged 372.4 yards per game through the air and 217.1 yards per game on the ground.
Under the guidance of Gilbert, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was named the Walter Payton Award winner, the
FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy — given to the nation’s best player. Garoppolo threw for 5,050
yards and 53 touchdowns in 2013. During his two seasons under Gilbert’s guidance, he has thrown for
8,873 yards and 84 scores.
In Gilbert’s first season as the offensive coordinator he helped direct the Panthers up-tempo offense,
which ranked sixth in the nation in passing offense, eighth in total offense and 12th in scoring
offense. The Panthers averaged 470.9 yards per game while scoring 36.5 points per contest.
In 2012 EIU’s offense set several school records including touchdown passes with 34. Gilbert coached
quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who earned second team All-OVC honors while finishing tenth in the Walter
Payton Award voting.
Gilbert came to EIU following a successful career as a prep coach in Texas. He served as the offensive
coordinator & quarterback coach at Temple High School where the team advanced to the Texas Class
5-AAAAA playoffs.
Prior to joining the staff at Temple High School, Gilbert served as the head coach at San Angelo Lake
View High School for three seasons (2008-10). Gilbert rebuilt a program that had won only three games in
three years prior to his arrival to a team that won the 2008 Bi-District Championship and the school’s
first playoff win in 12 years. He was named the West Texas High School Coach of the Year in 2008.
Gilbert developed a name for himself as a prolific offensive coach at Cooper High School in Abilene
during the 2006 and 2007 seasons when he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His
2006 offense led 5A with 3,172 yards passing. In 2007 the team advanced to the Texas Class 3-AAAAA
playoffs.
Gilbert’s first collegiate coaching experience was as a graduate assistant at Houston in 2005 when the
Cougars earned a trip to the Fort Worth Bowl. Gilbert assisted the quarterbacks coach with the
quarterbacks and running backs.
His first job was as the quarterbacks and running backs coach at Springtown High School from 2003-05.
A Texas native, Gilbert was a two-time All-Lone Star Conference quarterback at Angelo State in 2000 and
2001. He earned his degree in 2002 after serving as a two-time team captain. Angelo State won the Lone
Star Conference South Division in 1999 and 2000. Gilbert was a two-time All-State quarterback at San
Angelo Lake View HS.
Matt Mattox (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)
Matt Mattox begins his first season as co-offensive coordinator at Bowling Green State University in
2014. He joins Dino Babers’ staff after one season as offensive line coach at Eastern Illinois. Mattox
will also coach the Falcons’ offensive line.
Mattox is familiar with the up-tempo offensive system that Babers uses, having played and served as a
graduate assistant under Art Briles at Houston.
Under Mattox, EIU’s offensive line helped the offense amass over 8,000 yards in 2013, including
5,000-plus passing yards and more than 3,000 rushing yards.
Mattox coached at EIU following six years as an offensive line/tight ends coach in the junior college
ranks. He served as the offensive coordinator during the 2012 season as Coffeyville Community College in
Kansas. In his one season at CCC, Mattox coached five offensive players that earned All-Conference
honors. His offensive unit averaged 370 yards per game and 28.8 points per game contest finishing the
year at 6-4.
Prior to his one season at Coffeyville, Mattox was the offensive line/tight ends coach at Butler
Community College in Kansas. During five seasons with the school he helped coach the program to four
conference and NJCAA Region VI Championships. In 2007 and 2008 he was part of a staff that coached
Butler to the NJCAA National Championship while losing in the NJCAA National Championship game in 2010.
He coached 31 all-conference offensive linemen and six junior college All-Americans.
Mattox began his coaching career at the University of Houston first working with the football program as
an assistant strength coach in 2005 and then as a graduate assistant coaching offensive tackles in 2006.
Houston posted a 10-4 record in 2006 winning the Conference USA Championship game to make an appearance
in the Liberty Bowl.
A native of Holton, Kan., Mattox was a second team junior college All-American playing tight end at
Butler Community College. He played his final two seasons at Houston for Art Briles moving from tight
end to offensive tackle prior to his senior season. As a senior Mattox earned second team All-Conference
USA honors at offensive tackle as the Cougars went 7-6 and played in the Hawai’i Bowl. He earned his
degree from Houston in 2005.
Kim McCloud (Defensive Coordinator)
Kim McCloud enters his first season as the defensive coordinator at Bowling Green State University in
2014, after serving in the same position the last two years at Eastern Illinois.
McCloud and Dino Babers worked together on the staff at Baylor University where McCloud coached the
secondary from 2008-2010, before joining forces at EIU following the 2011 season.
The Panthers were in the top 30 nationally in scoring defense, red zone defense, and passing defense
efficiency under McCloud during the 2013 season. They were also one of the most prolific defenses in all
of FCS at forcing turnovers, as they finished sixth in the nation with a plus-14 turnover margin. EIU
forced 37 turnovers on the year and ranked first in the country with 23 fumbles recovered.
As a defensive unit the Panthers found their stride in forcing turnovers as EIU ranked 18th in the nation
in turnovers gained for the 2012 season. During OVC play EIU’s defense held opponents to 24 or less
points in four games as the Panthers high-powered offense ranked among the nation’s best. EIU turned in
its best defensive performance of the year during a win over nationally ranked Eastern Kentucky when EIU
held the Colonels to only seven points. As a unit EIU allowed only three individual rushers to gain 100
or more yards in a game during the season. The defense had four players earn All-OVC honors.
McCloud has experience coaching in the Mid-American Conference, as he was an assistant at Akron during
the 2011 season.
McCloud has been in the collegiate coaching profession for more than a decade with post-season
appearances at Baylor, Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, and Eastern Illinois.
At Baylor he helped coach an All-Big 12 safety in 2009 and 2010 while helping the Bears make an
appearance in the Texas Bowl in 2010. Byron Lander was All-Big 12 in 2010 while Jordan Lake was All-Big
12 in 2008 and 2009. Lander totaled a team-high 127 tackles as a senior. Lake had back-to-back seasons
with 90-plus tackles under McCloud’s direction. In 2009 McCloud also coached Chance Casey, an All-Big 12
Freshman selection. During his final two seasons at Baylor, McCloud served as the Bears’ defensive
recruiting coordinator.
Prior to his time at Baylor, McCloud was an assistant at Nevada for eight seasons where he coached the
defensive secondary in seven of his eight years. He moved over to coach the wide receivers during the
2004 season. During his final three seasons on the Wolf Pack staff, Nevada made three straight bowl
appearances and won the 2006 Western Athletic Conference title.
McCloud coached a pair of All-WAC performers at Nevada with one first team selection on each side of the
ball. Joe Garcia was a two-time All-WAC selection ranking 14th in the nation in interceptions in 2006.
During his one season on the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Nichiren Flowers was second in
the WAC with 91 receptions.
A native of Los Angeles, Calif., McCloud was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at Hawai’i
earning honorable mention All-WAC honors as a defensive back. He was a 1990 All-WAC Academic team
selection earning his degree in 1991.
He signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers in 1991 and played two seasons in the
Canadian Football League (1991 & 1992) with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Following his playing career McCloud broke into the coaching ranks at Kaiser High School in Honolulu. He
was a graduate assistant at Missouri in 1997 and helped the Tigers earn a Holiday Bowl Invitation. In
1998 he joined the staff at Idaho as a cornerbacks coach where the Vandals won the Big West Conference
and capped the season with a win in the Humanitarian Bowl.
McCloud and his wife Renee have two children, Kaleb and Rachel.
Tom Kaufman (Special Teams’ Coordinator/Linebackers)
Tom Kaufman joins Dino Babers’ staff at Bowling Green as the special teams coordinator in 2014. Kaufman,
who will coach linebackers at BGSU, also coached linebackers for two seasons at Eastern Illinois under
Babers.
During his time at EIU, Kaufman’s linebackers were routinely a major factor on one of the best defenses
at forcing turnovers in the country.
Kaufman coached a young group of linebackers during his first season. Robert Haynes ranked among the OVC
leaders in tackles as he led the Panthers with 101. LeQuince McCall earned All-OVC Newcomer team honors
finishing the year with 82 tackles. The linebacker corps helped EIU rank 18th in the nation in turnovers
gained.
Kaufman worked as a quality control coach at Texasin 2011helping the Longhorns earn a bid to the Holiday
Bowl.
Prior to working at Texas, Kaufman spent one season as a quality control coach at Kansas (2010) and one
season as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State (2009).
In 2008 Kaufman was the defensive coordinator at the University of Chicago before making the jump to NCAA
Division I.
Kaufman is familiar with the Midwest with five years as an assistant coach at two Division III schools in
Ohio. He was the linebackers and special teams coach at Case Western Reserve from 2005-07 helping the
team go 10-0 during the 2007 season, advancing to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. At Case Western
he coached Tom Brew a two-time Gagliardi Trophy finalist and three conference players of the year.
Kaufman was the linebackers coach at Heidelberg College from 2003-04 earning his master’s degree in
education in 2005.
Kaufman played at John Carroll (Ohio) University, earning all-conference and academic all-conference
honors. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English in 2003.
Nick Monroe (Secondary)
Nick Monroe begins his fifth year as an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University in 2014. He
will coach the secondary under head coach Dino Babers.
2013 was a banner year for the Bowling Green secondary under Monroe, as the Falcons finished the year
with the sixth best passing defense in the country. Once again, senior BooBoo Gates was named first team
All-MAC at safety. The most notable defensive performance by the Falcons came in game 11, when the
Falcons held Eastern Michigan to just four passing yards in a 55-7 win.
In 2012 Monroe established one of the best secondary units in the country, finishing the season ranked as
the 13th-best pass defense (190.1) in the nation. On three different occasions his secondary did not
even allow 100 yards passing. His secondary featured a pair of All-MAC performers in Gates (first-team)
and Cameron Truss (third-team).
Monroe’s vision could be seen back in 2011 when it featured arguably the youngest secondary in the
country with three sophomores and two freshmen. Truss led the team with nine pass breakups, while
first-year starters Ryland Ward and Aaron Foster were third on the team with 69 tackles.
In 2010 Monroe coached a secondary that featured four new starters. Monroe helped coach Jovan Leacock,
who came to BGSU as a wide receiver, into a safety who finished second on the team with 91 tackles and
added two interceptions. The secondary alsofeatured Truss, who led the team with seven pass breakups.

Prior to his time at BGSU Monroe was the co-defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Colgate
University. He spent six years on the defensive side of the ball, beginning as the outside linebackers
coach before moving to the secondary in 2006.
In 2009, Colgate finished the season ranked No. 1 in total defense in the Patriot League. In his last
three years as the secondary coach, Monroe had four first-team All-Patriot League selections and one
second-team pick.
In 2008, cornerback Wayne Moten was named Colgate’s Defensive MVP and was first-team all-league.
In 2009, strong safety Uzi Idah was named Colgate’s Defensive MVP and was first-team all-league. The same
season, true freshman cornerback Demitri Diamond was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year.
Colgate won a pair of Patriot League Championships while Monroe was there in 2005 and 2008. Both league
championships earned berths to the Division 1-AA (now FCS) National Playoffs.
Prior to his time at Colgate, Monroe was the secondary coach for two seasons at Allegheny College, where
the team won the conference championship in 2003 and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III National
Playoffs.
Monroe was a four-year letterwinner at St. Cloud State University and a one year starter at cornerback.
He graduated from St. Cloud State in 2001 with a degree in marketing.
Mike Lynch (Running Backs)
Mike Lynch enters his first season as an assistant coach with the Falcons in 2014. He previously coached
nine seasons at EIU, including the past two under Dino Babers. Lynch will coach the running backs at
Bowling Green in 2014.
As the running backs coach in 2013, Lynch mentored two backs who anchored a rushing attack which totaled
over 3,000 yards. Shepard Little rushed for 1,551 yards and 15 touchdowns a season ago, while Taylor
Duncan had 988 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Panthers.
Lynch moved over to coach running backs in 2012 after coaching wide receivers the previous five seasons.
During the 2011 season Lynch coached Jake Walker who earned second team All-OVC honors as he rushed for
1,133 yards on the season. Walker became just the tenth running back in EIU history to rush for more
than 1,000 yards in a season. As a unit the running backs rushed for 20 touchdowns.
In 2011 Lynch’s wide receivers unit accounted for 20 of the team’s 33 touchdowns with junior Chris Wright
hauling in 11 touchdown passes. Prior to an injury to senior Lorence Ricks, the Panthers were one of
only three teams at the FCS level with three active 1,000 yard receivers on the roster. EIU’s wide
receiver corps hauled in 160 passes for 1,960 yards.
In 2009 Lynch helped coach one of the youngest wide receiving groups in the nation as three starters were
underclassmen. That unit responded by hauling in 19 touchdown passes with 184 receptions for 2,288
yards. It was a balanced attack where the top receiver had only 32 catches with eight different
receivers accounting for Panther touchdowns. In 2010 that same group of receivers caught 193 passes for
2,279 yards and 18 touchdowns. Four different receivers posted 100-plus yard receiving days including
Chris Wright with 217 yards during an overtime win at Tennessee State which ranks third on EIU’s career
list.
In 2007, EIU wide receivers hauled in 218 passes for 2,300 yards including another big year by senior
Micah Rucker who had 9 touchdowns and 777 yards receiving.
During the 2006 season Lynch helped coach Micah Rucker as the junior receiver earned second team
All-American honors for the Panthers with 13 touchdowns and 966 yards receiving.
Prior to joining the EIU staff, Lynch made a name for himself as a member of the Utah State coaching
staff from 2000-04. While with the Aggies, Lynch helped coach three tight ends that would sign with NFL
teams. Chris Cooley was a third round selection of the Washington Redskins in the 2003 draft while J.R.
Suguturaga and Casey Poppinga both signed free agent contracts.
A Roseville, Calif. native, Lynch played two seasons at Sierra Junior College in California before
playing two seasons at center at the University of Montana. His 1997 and 1998 Grizzly teams won 16 games
making two straight NCAA I-AA playoff appearances. He would serve as a restricted earnings coach in 1999
on the UM staff.
Lynch earned his bachelors degree from Montana and a masters in secondary education from Utah State. He
was married to the former Emily Schilling in June 2011.
Sean Lewis (Inside Receivers)
Sean Lewis begins his first year as an assistant coach at Bowling Green in 2014, and his third under Dino
Babers. Lewis, who graduated from Wisconsin in 2007, will coach inside receivers at Bowling Green. He
has served in a similar capacity at Eastern Illinois during the past two seasons.
Under Lewis in 2013 receivers Erik Lora and Adam Drake both totaled over 1,300 yards receiving and 32
combined touchdowns. Lora was recognized as the best receiver in FCS football for his efforts.
During his first season as the inside wide receivers coach, Lewis helped coach Lora to one of the best
individual seasons in FCS history, earning OVC Player of the Year honors while finishing fourth in the
Walter Payton Award voting. He set the FCS single season record with 136 receptions finishing with 1,664
yards. As a unit, EIU wide receivers hauled in a school record 341 passes during the year for 4,019
yards and 34 touchdowns.
Lewis came to EIU following one season as a graduate assistant at Akron.
Lewis began his career as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Richards High School in Oak
Lawn, Ill. Lewis helped the school advance to the second round of the IHSA Class 6A state playoffs in
2009 with three All-Area players and one All-State performer. The team ranked eighth in IHSA in Class 6A
in scoring offense at 34 points per game.
Lewis coached the 2010 season at Nebraska Omaha serving as the tight ends coach with that group combining
for 51 catches, 879 yards and 12 touchdowns.
In 2011, Lewis was an offensive graduate assistant with the Akron program serving as the tight end coach
on game days.
Lewis was a four-year member of the Wisconsin football program starting his career as a quarterback in
2004 before playing tight end the last three seasons. He was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection
in 2006 and 2007. Lewis earned his degree from Wisconsin in 2007. The Badgers made four straight bowl
appearances during Lewis’ time on the team. Bowling Green and Wisconsin met on the gridiron in both 2005
and 2006. Lewis will get the opportunity to coach against his alma mater when the Falcons travel to
Madison for a showdown Sept. 20, 2014 with Wisconsin.
Tom Freeman (Defensive Line)
Tom Freeman, with more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, begins his first year at Bowling
Green in 2014. He will coach the defensive line.
The veteran coach spent one season on Babers’ staff at Eastern Illinois, also coaching the defensive
line.
Freeman and Babers have a long time association that started when Babers was a player at the University
of Hawai’i.Freeman was the offensive guards and centers coach for Hawai’i from 1975-81.Freeman has also
been on the coaching staff with Babers at Arizona State, Purdue and Pittsburgh.
Freeman was the offensive line coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League in
2010. He helped coach the team to the CFL West Division Championship as the team lost in the Grey Cup.

Prior to that Freeman served as the offensive coordinator at Weber State for one season and offensive
line coach at Central Florida for two years. The 2009 Weber State team advanced to the FCS playoffs
while the 2007 UCF team won the Conference USA title and played in the Liberty Bowl.
He was a member of coach Walt Harris’ staff at both Pittsburgh and Stanford serving as the run game
coordinator. At Pittsburgh between 1997-2004, the Panthers made six bowl game appearances including the
2005 Fiesta Bowl. Freeman coached on the staff of the 1999 Blue-Gray Game and 2004 East-West Shrine
Game.
Freeman was at Purdue from 1991-96 and Arizona State from 1984-91. He served as the offensive line coach
at Purdue while coaching guards and centers at ASU. As a member of the Sun Devils staff he helped coach
the team to three bowl games including the 1987 Rose Bowl.
He is a graduate of San Diego State and coached his alma mater from 1981-83.
Roy Wittke (Director of Football Operations)
Roy Wittke begins his first season as Director of Football Operations at Bowling Green State University
in 2014. Wittke comes to Northwest Ohio following 19 seasons at Eastern Illinois. He spent the past two
seasons as Director of Football Operations at EIU under Babers.
Prior to being named Director of Football Operations, Wittke served as the offensive coordinator for EIU
in two different stints under head coach Bob Spoo.
Wittke rejoined the Panthers football program on May 1, 2008 as the offensive coordinator, a position he
previously served in from 1990-2002.
Following the loss of two senior quarterbacks from 2009 and the loss of two senior running backs to open
the season, Wittke helped coach freshman quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as he earned All-OVC Newcomer
honors. Garoppolo would have ranked third in the OVC in passing yards but did not appear in enough
games. In 2010 Garoppolo continued to develop as he moved into the EIU career and single season passing
lists in several categories.
EIU’s 2009 offense featured a more balanced offensive attack as quarterback Jake Christensen and running
back Mon Williams were both second team All-OVC selections. The Panthers scored 19 touchdowns through
the air and another 11 on the ground.
In 2008 the Panthers offense produced a 1,000 rusher for the fifth straight season as Travorus Bess
climbed into the career Top 15 on the Panthers charts.
Wittke returned to EIU following his most recent stint at Northern Illinois during the 2007 season where
he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Wittke is best known for helping to develop current Dallas Cowboys signal caller Tony Romo as the
Panthers offensive coordinator from 1990-2002. During that time frame EIU posted 82 wins, made five FCS
playoff appearances and was capped off by Romo earning the 2002 Walter Payton Award. He was named the
AFCA Division I-AA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002 as the Panthers offensive unit ranked fourth in
the nation in scoring (35.3 ppg) and fifth in total offense (452.6 yards/game).
During his first stop at EIU, Wittke coached 14 players who earned offensive All-American honors and
numerous all-conference selections in both the Ohio Valley Conference and Gateway Football Conference.
Three of his offensive units rank among the top five at EIU for total offense and scoring in a season.

Following the 2002 season, Wittke worked as the offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas from
2003-05 and one season at both Arizona State University (2006) and Northern Illinois (2007). Wittke
coached in both the 2003 Independence Bowl with Arkansas and the 2006 Hawai’i Bowl with Arizona State.

He has also had stints at his alma mater Wisconsin Eau-Claire (1979-81), Montana State (1982-84) and
Central Missouri State (1985-89).
Wittke is a native of Racine, Wis., and a 1982 graduate of Wisconsin Eau-Claire. He and his wife Patty
have three children — sons Brad and Jeff and daughter Bekah.
Sean Edinger (Director of Strength & Conditioning)
Sean Edinger begins his first season at Bowling Green State University as Director of Strength &
Conditioning. He comes to BGSU from Eastern Illinois, where he had served in a similar role since June
2012. He will oversee the strength and conditioning for all of Bowling Green’s 18 varsity sports.
Edinger arrived at EIU following three years as the head strength coach at Central Missouri where he was
directly responsible for all aspects of the Mules strength and conditioning program. Prior to his hiring
at UCM, Edinger was the head strength coach for football and volleyball at the Haskell Indian Nations
University in Lawrence, Kansas from 2008-09.
Edinger was a graduate assistant at Missouri from 2006-08 directly covering the sports of volleyball and
tennis. He helped assist with the Tigers football strength program working with players in preparation
for pro days and professional combines.
He is a 2006 graduate of Kansas with a master’s degree from Missouri (2008). Edinger holds certifications
as a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, USA Weightlifting Sport Performance 1 and
CSCCa Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified. He has more than 18 years of experience in martial arts
and was a United States National Karate Team Member for five years.