UMC Football Announces Addition of Nurse to Coaching Staff

CROOKSTON, Minn.- University of Minnesota Crookston Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson and Head Football Coach Mike Fritze announced the addition of Wes Nurse as assistant football coach for the Golden Eagles. Nurse spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of North
Dakota.

“We are really fortunate to have a coach of Wes’ caliber join the staff at UMC,” Fritze said. “Wes brings to our staff a great deal of experience at the highest level of coaching. He fits in well with our current staff members and we are excited to have him became a member of the Golden Eagle family.”

Nurse will serve as running backs and tight ends coach and video coordinator for the Golden Eagles. His hiring signifies several other moves on the coaching staff. Robby Case will serve as the team’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Mike Clark will continue to serve as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach while also serving as offensive pass game coordinator. Levi Bullerman will remain as the team’s defensive line coach while also picking up responsibilities as the recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator. Sean Knox and Mark Dufner’s roles remain the same with Knox serving as defensive backs coach, strength and conditioning coach and defensive pass game coordinator. Dufner will enter his 13th season with the Golden Eagles in 2014. He will continue to serve as assistant head football coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

“I am very happy to have the opportunity to join the staff at University of Minnesota Crookston,” Nurse said. “I am very fortunate for this chance. I believe this program is bound for great things in the short term and long term and I am excited to start working with Coach Fritze and his staff here at UMC.”

Nurse worked primarily with the cornerbacks during his two seasons in Grand Forks, N.D., a position he played during his time at Boise State University. In 2012, Nurse helped junior Chavon Mackey share the team lead in interceptions and pass break-ups. Mackey was also third on the team in tackles. In 2013, Mackey led the team in pass deflections and interceptions and was fifth on the team in tackles.

Prior to arriving at UND, Nurse spent one season at the University of California Davis where he coached the cornerbacks for the Aggies. During his time at UC Davis, John Perkins collected All-Great West Second Team accolades during the 2011 season. Nurse was on staff with current UMC offensive coordinator Robby Case while at UC Davis.

Before his season with the Aggies, Nurse spent three seasons on the staff at University of Houston. For the Cougars, he was a quality control assistant working with both the defense and the special teams under current Texas A&M University Head Coach Kevin Sumlin. During his tenure at Houston, the Cougars climbed to as high as No. 12 in the polls during the 2009 season. He was a part of two teams that appeared in bowl games as the Cougars made it to the Armed Forces Bowl both seasons.

Before his time at Houston, Nurse spent the 2007 season at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Nurse served as the coach for the defensive ends, safeties and outside linebackers. The Bulldogs’ defensive unit was the top ranked in the Southland Conference as The Citadel went 7-4 during the 2007 season. The record was the best among the previous 10 seasons.

Nurse got his start in college coaching at his alma mater, Boise State University, where he spent two seasons as a graduate assistant. In his final season with the Broncos, he helped Boise State to a memorable victory over University of Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Nurse coached three defensive backs during his time at Boise State that went on to be drafted in the NFL (Gerald Alexander, 2nd Round; 2006), Orlando Scandrick , 4th Round; 2008 and Kyle Wilson, 1st Round; 2010). Alexander played five seasons in the NFL. Scandrick is in his seventh season with the Dalls Cowboys. Wilson is heading into his fifth season with the New York Jets.

His first taste of coaching at any level came as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Capital High School in Boise, Idaho for the 2004 season.

Prior to starting his coaching career, Nurse had a successful playing career for the Broncos in which he was a three-year starter at safety for Boise State. Nurse was named First Team All-Wac and the Broncos’ Defensive MVP in 2003. He also served as team captain during hat season. The Broncos compiled a record of 52-11 during his four seasons and appeared in four bowl games, winning all four.

Nurse graduated from Boise State in the summer of 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing. He and his wife, Valerie, have three sons: Jaiden (12), Treyvn (3) and Caysen (one week). He is originally from Federal Way, Wash.

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