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Meet The Coaches
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John Heavner, Head Coach
Head Coach John Heavner, a Norman, Oklahoma native, has guided the Defender football program since its inception in 2006. Heavner spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at East Central University (NCAA Division II) in Ada, Oklahoma from 1998-2002 where he served as offensive coordinator in 2003 and 2004 and was the receivers coach from 1998-2002. Heavner was also East Central's recruiting coordinator from 2001-2004. Most recently, Heavner was the quarterbacks coach at Missouri State University (NCAA Division IAA) in Springfield, Missouri in 2005.
Heavner is a graduate of Norman High School where he was a member of the 1992 state championship team and received his bachelor's degree in political science from East Central University (Oklahoma) in 1999, earning his master's degree in education in 2000.
John and his wife Tiffany have two children-Caleb and Allie.
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Wade Whites, Defensive Coordinator
Defensive Coordinator Wade Whites begins his second year at Dordt College after a successful nine-year stay at Southwest Christian in Fort Worth, Texas and is the defensive coordinator for the Defenders. While at Southwest Christian Whites served as both athletic director and head football coach for six seasons. Under Whites' leadership as head coach the Southwest Christian teams compiled a 45-29 record with two state semi-final appearances and a berth in the state finals. Whites was accorded district coach of the year honors in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and coached in the Tom Hillary All-Star game in 2004. He was also named Dallas Morning News Division III coach of the year in 2004 along with being listed in the Who's Who among America's Teacher in 2004 and 2005.
Prior to his stay at Southwest Christian, Whites was the defensive coordinator at Hurst-Euless-Bedford High School from 1994-1997 and was an assistant coach at Burleson High School in 1993-1994. Whites started his coaching career at his alma mater, Tarleton State University (Texas), as a defensive backfield coach and recruiting coordinator in 1992-1993. Whites is a 1993 graduate of Tarleton State University.
Wade and his wife Kelly have three children-McKenna, Hayden and Ryan.
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Bill Bauer, Offensive Coordinator
Offensive Coordinator Bill Bauer returns to Dordt College for his second season with 28 years of college football coaching experience, serving most recently as an assistant coach at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. Bauer served as the Defensive Coordinator at Taylor from 1997-2006, returning to the Mid-States Football Conference member after a five year stay at Sterling College in Kansas. Bauer was the head football coach at Sterling from 1995-1997. Bauer was the assistant athletic director at Taylor from 1986-1992 and has also coached men's and women's track and field at various stages during his coaching career and also spent a year at Kansas Wesleyan.
Bauer received his Bachelor's degree from Taylor University in 1981 and his Master of Arts in physical education from Ball State in 1984. Bauer is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Bill and Jeanette Bauer have four children-Travis, Cole, Leah and Marshall.
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Gabe Eliserio
A standout at Sterling College (Kansas), Eliserio was an all-KCAC pick at defensive back in 2007 and played in the Victory Sports Network Senior Bowl Classic in 2008. Eliserio started his collegiate playing career at Eastern Arizona College where he led the team in rushing and passing in 2005. Eliserio served as camp coordinator at Moon Valley High School for the incoming freshman camp in 2007 and was an assistant coach for the summer varsity football camp at Moon Valley in 2003, 2004 and 2007.
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Kevin Hyland
Played football at Lakewood High School (Ohio) and John Carroll University before seeing his career ended by injury. Served as an assistant coach at Lakewood High School from 2004-2006 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Kent State University.
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Micah Stanley
A 2006 graduate of Central Valley Christian High School (California). Spent one season as an assistant coach at the same school while attending College of the Sequioas. Was an assistant during the 2007 Dordt College season.
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Tobias Tuomi
A 2008 graduate of Defiance College (Ohio), Tuomi played tight end at Defiance for two seasons following two years at Alma College (Michigan). His coaching experience includes working at the Derby Football Camp in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006 and 2007 and coaching basketball at Mount Hope Lutheran School from 2001-2004.
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Ken Vigdal
A 1990 graduate of the University of South Dakota, Vigdal was the head football coach at Sioux Center High School for 11 seasons from 1997-2007 while also serving as head track and field coach. Vigdal was named District Coach of the Year in 2001 and Regional Track Coach of the Year in 1998. Vigdal started his coaching career at Ogden High School (Iowa) where he was defensive and special teams coordinator from 1990-1996.
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