UMC Football Adds to Coaching Staff

CROOKSTON, Minn. – University of Minnesota Crookston Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson and Interim Head Football Coach Mike Fritze have announced the additions of Mike Clark and Levi Bullerman as assistant football coaches for the Golden Eagles. Clark will coach the quarterbacks and wide receivers next season for UMC while Bullerman will coach the defensive line. Clark will also serve as video coordinator while Bullerman will serve as the team’s equipment manager.

Clark is coming to the Golden Eagles from the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League (UFL) where he served as linebackers coach. Prior to his time with Sacramento, Clark spent two years in the National Football League (NFL), first working as a defensive quality control coach with the Oakland Raiders during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. During the summer of 2012, Clark served as a defensive coaching assistant with the Arizona Cardinals.

“We are looking forward to having Mike become part of our staff,” Fritze said. “His wide range of experience with a number of high profile teams will certainly benefit the student-athletes here at UMC"

Prior to his time in the NFL, Clark spent six seasons at the University of Texas in various capacities. He started out as a volunteer assistant to head strength and conditioning coach Jeff Madden in 2004 before working as an offensive quality control coach under former UT offensive coordinator and current University of Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

For the three seasons following, Clark worked as an offensive graduate assistant working primarily with the Longhorn offensive line. In this role, Clark worked with offensive line coach Mac McWhorter and also helped the offense with game plans and film breakdown in addition to developing comprehensive weekly scouting reports.

During his time at Texas, Clark was a part of three Big 12 South Division Championships, four Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game appearances including the BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl in 2009 where the Longhorns lost to the University of Alabama.

During his coaching career Clark has worked under several innovative offensive minds including University of Texas head coach Mack Brown, former Arizona Cardinals head coach and current San Diego Chargers Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, Greg Davis and current UT offensive coordinator Major Applewhite.

As a player, Clark was a three-year letterwinner at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark., where he played quarterback. Clark was twice named to the Sun Belt Conference All-Academic Team. He earned his bachelor of science in exercise science from Arkansas State in 2004 and a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Texas in 2009.

Bullerman comes to UMC from Presentation College where he spent the last two seasons as an assistant football coach for the Saints working primarily with the team’s linebackers and special teams. He helped lead Presentation to the most wins in an inaugural season by a NCAA Division III football team in 2011. In 2012, Bullerman helped the Saints’ defense rank in the top 15 in NCAA Division III in fumble recoveries. In addition, two of Bullerman’s linebackers led the team in tackles for 2011 and 2012, while three freshman linebackers finished in the top 10 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) in 2011. Bullerman also helped Presentation to become the third-ranked kickoff coverage unit in the UMAC in 2011.

“Levi brings a multitude of talents to the table,” Fritze said. “He will coach the defensive line, assist with special teams and academic progress, and handle the equipment coordinator position. He has a wealth of knowledge for his age, and, with his playing days at Southwest Minnesota State, knows the landscape of the conference extremely well. He is a great addition to our staff. We are also thankful that his wife, Alarie and son Levi, Jr., are with us as well.”

In addition to coaching the linebackers, Bullerman also served as academic coordinator for the football team during his time at Presentation, helping eight Saints’ players become Academic All-UMAC selections in 2011. In addition, Presentation had four players named United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Academic All-Americans in 2012 and helped 16 players achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher in the fall of 2012.

Prior to his time at Presentaton, Bullerman spent the 2010 season at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. Bullerman served as the defensive line coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Blueboys. During his time at Illinois College, the team upset the 2010 Midwest Conference Champions St. Norbert College. In addition, he helped the defense to a top 10 ranking in NCAA Division III in takeaways. The Blueboys also were ranked second in the MWC in sacks. Bullerman had two defensive linemen achieve All-MWC selections in 2010.

Prior to Illinois College, Bullerman worked as an intern for the athletic director and athletic development office at his alma mater of Southwest Minnesota State University.

As a player at SMSU, Bullerman was a five-year member of the Mustang team, originally coming to the team as a quarterback but moving to outside linebacker during spring drills prior to the 2006 season. The Adrian, Minn., native played in all 44 games in his career for the Mustangs, starting the final 33. He finished his career with over 150 tackles, including over 20 tackles for loss, five sacks and three interceptions. Bullerman served as team captain for SMSU and was a member of the team’s first winning season in 10 years as a senior in 2008.

Bullerman earned his bachelor of science degree in physical education from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2010. Bullerman and his wife Alarie have a son, Levi, Jr.

The additions of Bullerman and Clark complete the 2013 staff under Interim Head Coach Fritze. In addition to Bullerman and Clark, the Golden Eagles return Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Jeff Cheek, Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker Coach Mark Dufner and Defensive Backs Coach Sean Knox from last year’s staff. Fullbacks, Tights End and Special Teams Coach Robby Case joined the staff during spring practice. Former players Stephen Henderson and Cecil Brown, Jr. will also assist the staff as volunteer coaches. Henderson will work with the running backs and special teams while Brown will assist Knox and the defensive backs.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.