Loras Football Camps
Coaching Staff

Josh Edwards
Assistant Coach

A native of Pella, IA, Josh attended Central College in Pella (1999-2003), where he received his B.A. in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. While at Central he was a four year member of the football team. He also served two years (2001-2003) as an intern in the strength and conditioning department. After graduation he worked one year (2003-2004) as the Assistant Strength coach under Jake Anderson.

Josh attended Winona State University in Winona, MN (2004-2006) to work on his Master of Science in Educational Leadership. While at Winona State he worked as the Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach for two years. After finishing his schooling Josh stayed at Winona State, changing roles to Director of Football Strength & Conditioning and Defensive Line coach (2006-2007).

During the (2007-2008) school year Josh was the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. He was in charge of the Men's and Women's Golf and Tennis programs, and assisted with the football program.

Presently, Josh is in his third year as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach here at Loras College and his second as linebackers coach. Josh handles all the strength, conditioning, agility, and nutritional development for all 21 athletic teams at Loras.

Steve Helminiak
Assistant Coach

Steve Helminiak joins the Duhawk staff in 2011 and returns to Loras where he was a former assistant coach and player from 1986 to 2000. Helminiak has nearly twenty years of coaching experience and will serve as the offensive line coach for the Duhawks in the upcoming 2011 season.

He graduated from Loras in 1991 with a degree in business management. After a four year playing career as a Duhawk, Helminiak then joined the Loras College staff as a student assistant and working his way up to the offensive coordinator position at the conclusion of his first go-around with the Duhawks in 2002. Helminiak also served as the offensive coordinator at Rockford College until 2006. Helminiak came back to his alumnus from Southern Oregon University, where he served as the head coach since 2006.

During his time at Southern Oregon, Helminiak coached one AFCA and five VSN All-Americans. He also coached the 2009 NAIA Independent Offensive Player of the Year and the fourth best receiver in receptions and yards in SOU history. Helminiak compiled an 11-6 record versus NAIA opponents, including a 4-1 record against perennial NAIA power Azusa Pacific.

Tom Kropf
Assistant Coach

Tom Kropf returns to Loras and joins the Duhawk staff in 2011, where he was a four year member of the football team, including a team captain in 2003. After graduating from Loras with his degree in Sport Science, Kropf had an internship with the University of Iowa's Strength Program where assisted with the daily strength and conditioning activities. Kropf went on to Rockford College to earn his master's of Arts and Teaching in 2006. During his time at Rockford, he served as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach an also an assistant coach on the football team.

Kropf then was the Director of Strength and Conditioning and Assistant Football Coach at State University of New York Maritime College in Throggs Neck, New York. He oversaw the strength and conditioning programs for all 19 sports.

After a two year stint at Maritime College, he served as the Defensive Line Coach and Head Strength Coach at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.

Kropf is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Kettlebell certified, and a Functional Movement Specialist (FMS). Kropf will serve as the running backs coach for the Duhawks.

Gavin McMacken
Assistant Coach

Gavin McMacken is entering his seventh season on the sideline for the Duhawks overall and third as defensive coordinator.  McMacken has worked with several key players during his time at Loras including 2005 Gagliardi finalist and three-time all-conference selection Ross Dillavou, 2007 All-IIAC pick Zach Wilker, 2008 All-IIAC pick Kenny Kikilas, and 2009 All-IIAC picks Kyle and Kale McCormick.

McMacken came to Loras from Alma College in Michigan, where he spent four years as an assistant coach instructing the defensive line and coordinating the academic support programs for the team.

He was a three-year starter for the Scots and helped lead the team to a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title and a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

McMacken graduated from Alma in 2000 with a degree in English.  In 2006, he earned his master's degree in athletic administration from Loras.

Brent O'Brien
Assistant Coach

Brent O'Brien enters 2011 as his first year on the staff at Loras College. O'Brien joins the Duhawks after coaching at Fort Hays State University where he focused on the secondary and served as the strength and conditioning coordinator. He graduated from Hastings College in 2005 with degrees in sports management and business management following a four year career with the team. As a player, O'Brien earned All-GPAC honors at linebacker in 2004, the same year the team qualified for the NAIA Quarterfinals.

Following his playing career, O'Brien joined the Hastings College staff as a linebackers coach. He then went on to coach at Fort Hays State University in 2007, then Earlham College in 2008, before returning to Fort Hays State in 2010.

O'Brien also earned his master's degree in Sport Administration from Fort Hays State University in 2008. He will serve as the secondary coach with the Duhawks.