GEORGETOWN, TEXAS – The Southwestern University Athletic Department has selected Bill Kriesel to serve as the Interim Head Coach for the 2024 season. Kriesel, who formerly served as the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, will direct the Pirates football team heading into the fall. Coach Kriesel enters his twelfth season as a coach for the program and has been a member of the staff since the program's inception. Kriesel has held the defensive coordinator position since 2015.
Coach Kriesel on accepting his new role - "I am excited to be named the Interim Head Football Coach at Southwestern University. I am thankful to Ken Ralph and the entire administration for having the confidence in me to lead these fine young men in achieving success both on the field and in the classroom. Our staff will lead this program while demonstrating high character, passion, and joy as we represent the best of Southwestern University."
Prior to coming to Southwestern, Kriesel was the defensive backs coach at Augsburg University, where he starred as a four-year letter winner. As a defensive back for the Eagles, he earned three consecutive First Team All-MIAC honors and was inducted into the Augsburg Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. After his collegiate career, he played professionally for the Stuttgart Scorpions of the German Football League from 1998 to 2001.
"We are thrilled Coach Kriesel has accepted the responsibility to serve as our Head Football Coach. After a decorated playing career and more than 15 years as an assistant coach, he is ready for this new responsibility. His passion for the game of football will energize our team and his personal relationships with players and alumni will help in the transition to a new era of Pirate football," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Ralph.
"Coach Kriesel brings a wealth of enthusiasm and excitement to the program. He connects well with the student-athletes. I encourage everyone to come out for the game to support him and the team as we embark on this new chapter together," said Southwestern University President Laura Skandera Trombley.
Nick Mask `16 will take over the role of Assistant Head Coach after working as an Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach. One of the original members of the modern football program, Mask was hired to coach running backs immediately following his career as a defensive end for the Pirates. "I'm extremely excited to stay and continue to serve our program now as our Assistant Head Coach. Coach Kriesel is the best leader for our program going forward, and I look forward to working closely with him and the rest of our staff to give our student-athletes every opportunity to see success, both on and off the field, this fall."
Southwestern Football will open up the 2024 season at home when they face the McMurry Warhawks on Saturday, September 7th at 7:00 PM.
