We thought if would be fun to reach out to a few of the new staff members and find out more about them!

 

The following five questions were sent out and they were kind enough to answer. This staff is going to be well-liked in Grand Forks, no doubt. We are starting with three of the younger members of the staff.

  1. Tell readers about yourself – where are you from, when & where did you play college football, what is your coaching background?
  2. What type of coach are you – high energy of more even keeled?  Have you had any major influences on your coaching career?
  3. Do you have any general coaching philosophies or major points of emphasis?
  4. What are your coaching aspirations and dreams (there are no wrong answers)?
  5. What are your recruiting area, and what are your social media handles?

Note their Twitter handles – give them a follow!

Gordie Haug – Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends

 

  1. I’m from Crookston, MN and played at Bemidji St from 05-07.  I got into coaching right thereafter at BSU and had LB’s, RB’s, and DL.  I went to NDSU and had RB’s from in 2012 & 2013.  I then left for University of Wyoming and was there through a few months ago.  In my tenure there I was Director of Recruiting, as well as coaching the RB’s for all of those years, except for one when I was the WR coach.
  2. I am a little bit of both.  Eric Schmidt was my coach at Crookston High School and is a big reason I wanted to start coaching.  Craig Bohl (NDSU & Wyoming) and Brent Bolte (Bemidji St) I believe both really helped me grow.
  3. I believe in the 365 day process and taking one day at a time.  Always asking “did I do my best today!!??”  Commit to the process and not the results!
  4. I want to be an offensive coordinator and work with great people!
  5. My main area is Wisconsin, and secondary areas are Texas and California.  My twitter handle is @ghaugii7 – give me a follow!

Keaton Wilkerson – Assistant Coach/Safeties

 

  1. Born and raised in Gillette, WY.  Attended Univ of Wyoming and was a student assistant for 3 seasons.  Got hired on staff as a GA after that and was in that role for 2 years. After 5 total seasons on Coach Bohl’s staff I went to the University of Washington where I spent one year under Coach Deboer, Coach Chuck Morrell, and Coach Schmidt.  After that I staye don with Coach Fisch, Coach Belichick, and Coach Sunsori.
  2. I’m a Coach that is high energy but there is also a time to be even keeled and compose your guys.  I want our room and our unit to always have the most energy on the field!
  3. Allow the guys to use their God given ability and play fast.  It doesn’t matter what the coach knows if the player doesn’t (know).  I want it to be simple for them but at the same time complex to the offense. That is when we can play fast, when we now 1) what to do and 2)how to do it!
  4. Be the Best I can every day for my guys!  Coach at the highest level – HC, DC, etc.
  5. My areas are North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and Seattle.  My twitter handle is @CoachWilkO – throw me a follow!

Darnell Duckett – Director of Player Personnel & Football Office Operations

 

  1. I’m from Washington DC.  I played college ball at Salisbury University I was the WR coach at my alma mater in 2020.  IN 2021 I was a recruiting analyst at the University of Maryland.  From 2022-2024 I was a recruiting analyst at the University of Washington.  Later in 2024 I was with the New York Jets as a Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellow.
  2. Even keeled but can also bring some energy and swag.  My family has had a major influence on my career.  I come from a huge football family.
  3. Relationship is my point of emphasis.
  4. Go back to the NFL with one of the local teams – the Ravens or Commanders.
  5. I don’t have a recruiting area.  I oversee the coaching staff’s recruiting areas.  You can follow me on X at @DuckettOfficial