Football Staff

The AC football staff is GREAT in many ways-We have GREAT Division III experience (70% of the coaches played Division III), so we understand the struggles and triumphs that our student-athletes face on a day to day basis. 50% of the staff attended school and played at Austin College, so we have 1st hand knowledge of the life of an Austin College Man. Coaching Experience at the Division III level is another reason our staff is so great- we have 43 years of coaching experience at this level .Hands down, we know NCAA Division III football. All together our staff has excelled at every level of football possible. We have coaches on staff that have coached at some of the smallest high schools around and we have coaches that have competed in the Super Bowl. What a great mixture to learn from- We have assembled a staff different then anyone else, they have unrivaled experience, talent, and energy. More importantly, they have a passion for Austin College Football, and the men that they teach.


Loren Dawson- Head Football Coach- Returns to Austin College after 2 years at Colorado School of the Mines (Div II) in Golden, CO. Before that Dawson served as the defensive coordinator/ recruiting coordinator at AC 2002 -07. 2010 will mark season number 21 for Coach Dawson; with previous stops at Midwestern State (GA), CSM (ST Coordinator), Phoenix College in Arizona (Asst. Head Coach) and Bourgade Catholic High School in Arizona (Head Coach)

Max Hawsey, Offensive Coordinator- Max also returns home to bring back GREATNESS to AC. Max was a All American LB at AC in 1995, and All Conference in 93’, 94’ and 95’. Max previously was the Head Football Coach, at Grinnell College, in Grinnell, Iowa. Before Grinnell, Coach Hawsey was the offensive coordinator at Colorado College. During his time in Colorado Springs, the Tigers “Shot Run” offense was annually top 20 in the country. Needless to say, we are thrilled to have a true Austin College Man with so much experience back in Grayson County.

Jake Willrich, Defensive Coordinator- Another returnee to Austin College, Coach Willrich comes back to the outback to coordinate our defense. Coach Willrich was previously on staff in 2005 when he coached the defensive backs (including current WR coach, Austin Coachman). In between AC, Coach W was the safeties coach at Hasting College, in Hasting, NE. Coach W was apart of the massive turn around that saw hasting go from 4-6 in 2006 to 9-3 and a playoff appearance in 2009. We are excited about the direction the Roos’ defense is headed.

Tim Yourison- Defensive Line- No stranger to Austin College, Coach Yourison has been here since 2008, and was gracious enough to stay put when the new staff came in. A great reflection of his character, Coach Yourison almost singlehandedly kept the program running during the staff change. Coach Yourison comes to us from Luther College, where he played and coached. After Luther, Coach Yourison was a graduate assistant at NCAA I-AA powerhouse Western Illinois.

Austin Coachman, Wide Receivers- Coachman returns to Grayson County after a 2 year hiatus at Lovejoy High School, in Lucas, TX. Coachman played here from 2004-2006, was an All- Conference pick in 06, and was a graduate assistant in 2007. No stranger to this group of men, Coachman played for 4 coaches on the current staff.

Shane Allison- Defensive Line- Coach Allison is also an Austin College alum, as he played, graduated, got his Masters, and has coached at AC- In fact the only 3 years he has spent away from Austin College was the 3 years that he was at Collinsville HS, in Collinsville, TX. At Collinsville, Coach Allison was extremely successful as the Pirates made several trips deep into the Texas High School playoffs.

Rick White, Offensive Line- Coach White comes to us from the High School ranks in Texas, where he was extremely successful. Coach White has been here 4 years as the offensive line coach. Each year he has been here, Austin College led the SCAC in rushing yards a game. No stranger to any scheme, Coach White has adapted well to our new offense, and we look for great things from our OL.

Robert Holcombe, Running Backs- Coach Holcombe comes to us from Houston, Texas, by way of the St Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans. Coach Holcombe played for both (Rams and Titans) and was with the Rams when the “Greatest Show on Turf” won the Super Bowl. Coach Holcombe brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Roo’ backfield, and we are really looking forward to his tutelage with our RB’s

Whit Richardson, OLB’s- Whit is a no stranger to Grayson County either. Whit comes to us from Rhodes College, in Memphis, TN. Whit has a great wealth of knowledge he brings us, not only specifically in football, but great he brings a great amount of information on the SCAC as well. This will be Whit’s first year in coaching, and we are looking to make it a great one!!!

Tom Thompson- K/P, Coach Thompson is also a AC alum, Tom is currently a Graduate Assistant for our football program, and will coach our kickers and punters. Tom also holds the dubious NCAA record, for oldest player to score a point in a NCAA football game. During the last game of the season in 2009, then coach Ronnie Gage allowed Coach Thompson, the teams reserve kicker to go kick the PAT after the Roos’ first TD. Coach Thompson drilled the kick right through the uprights and at 61 years young, Coach Thompson made history.