Opgenorth new offensive coordinator at Colby

WATERVILLE, Maine --- Steve Opgenorth, an assistant coach at three colleges over the past seven years, has been named offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for the Colby College football team and new head coach Jonathan Michaeles.

Opgenorth, who played college football and graduated cum laude from Winona (Minn.) State University in 2004, comes to Colby after serving as wide receivers coach, special teams coordinator, and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater since June 2010.

"We couldn't be more excited to have Steve Opgenorth as part of the Colby football program," Michaeles said. "Steve brings a high level of energy and professionalism to everything he does. He is a proven coach and recruiter at both the Division II and III level and has an evident passion for the development of young people."

Opgenorth's impact within the Winona State program started instantly upon his arrival in 2010, as Curtis Dewberry led the country in punt return average with 20.4 yards per punt return on his way to earning post-season recognition. Opgenorth also coached sophomore Derrick Engel to first team All-NSIC honors at the wide receiver position that year. This past 2011 season saw Opgenorth help the Warriors to a 7-4 overall record within an offensive unit that averaged 33.5 points per game in arguably the toughest Division II conference in the country.
 
Before returning to Winona, Opgenorth was the special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and defensive backs coach at Albright College (Reading, Pa.). He also served as the program's academic coordinator, helping 32 players earn all-academic honors in his three seasons. In Opgenorth's time at Albright College, the team made an overall turnaround from a 2-8 record before his arrival to an 11-2 overall mark and an NCAA Division III Tournament quarterfinal appearance in 2009. Opgenorth developed one of the top defensive backfields in the country, tutoring two first team all-conference defensive backs, including All-American Matt Christ in 2008.
 
Opgenorth began his coaching career at Carroll University (Waukesha, Wisc.) where he served as the wide receivers coach and assistant recruiting coordinator during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. At Carroll he was able to develop all-conference performers at wide receiver, tight end, and a placekicker.
 
As a student-athlete at Winona State University, Opgenorth's name is littered throughout the program's record book. He is second in school history in total points scored and was named to Winona State's All-Century team in 2005 as a specialist. Opgenorth was an all-conference performer three times in his career, and garnered All-American accolades in 2003 by helping Winona State reach the NCAA Division II Tournament quarterfinals.
 
Opgenorth is an active member within the American Football Coaches Association.  He is originally from Green Bay, Wisc., and now resides in Waterville.