By Justin Dade, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The Blugolds have agreed to terms with five assistant coaches as new head coach Dan Larson continues to mold his new staff in preparation for the upcoming season.
Matt Ebner, Michael McHugh, Anthony Aker, Zach Ruot and Al Sega will now join the Blugold football staff under Larson as they look to help this program trend in the right direction.
Ebner will take over the defensive coordinator job for the Blugolds after spending the last three seasons with UW-River Falls at the same position. Ebner returns to the Blugolds after being with UW-Eau Claire as an assistant from 2008-2013. Ebner played defensive end for the Blugolds from 2005-08. He was a three-year letter winner and was named to the second All-WIAC team his senior season.
"As an alumnus of UWEC, and a former player, I couldn't be happier to be back in blue and gold. This is a university and football program that I truly believe in, and I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of raising this program to excellence," said Ebner.
Coach Larson believes that Coach Ebner will bring more than just his coaching ability. "Matt has proven himself as tireless recruiter in Wisconsin and will bring great insight to our staff with his experience as Defensive Coordinator in the WIAC. As an alumnus of UWEC he will be able to speak on his experiences as a student-athlete and the value of a UWEC degree," Larson said.
McHugh comes over from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with head coach Dan Larson and will serve as the Blugolds' new offensive line coach. McHugh served as the Bulldogs' tight end coach last year after a four-year coaching leave. McHugh was a part of both coaching staffs that produced both of Duluth's two NCAA Division II national championship teams in 2008 and 2010.
"I am excited to be a part of this football program and the campus and community of Eau Claire. I believe the high academic standards of UWEC integrates extremely well into the high standards we have here athletically. I look forward to working with the student-athletes here and to recruiting future Blugolds' that want the very best combination of academics and athletics," said McHugh.
Coach Larson knows that this hire is going to help with offensive efficiency. "Mike is a tremendous coach and will work diligently with our offensive line in establishing our offensive identity on the field. He has passion for coaching and teaching fundamentals and his championship background will be a huge asset to our coaching staff and program," said Larson.
Aker will serve as the new wide receivers coach for the Blugolds after coaching the previous four years with UW-Stevens Point. Aker coached the wide receivers for the final three years of his time with Pointers while also helping with special teams and serving as the teams' academic coordinator. Aker was instrumental in coaching star receiver Matt Sosinsky who racked up 1,144 yards and 12 TD's last year for the Pointers.
"I chose to be a part of UWEC because of my belief in the quality of the campus, academics and the community of Eau Claire. I am extremely excited to be a part of this athletic department and I am looking forward to the challenge of exceeding the expectations of the community and our University," said Aker.
Larson had this to say about the addition of Aker to the staff, "Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the WIAC as a former player and now coach. He knows what it takes to play at the highest of levels in this conference and his coaching resume and helping players achieve success speaks for itself."
Ruot previously coached at Luther College and with serve as the Blugolds new strength and conditioning coach. Ruot spend the last two years with the Norse helping with strength and conditioning, recruiting, and wide receivers.
"I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff for the UWEC football program. The program is filled with young men that are hungry for victory and I am extremely excited to be a part of their new beginning. The WIAC is a very competitive conference and I look forward to the changes that lie ahead," said Ruot.
In such a difficult conference, Coach Larson knows just how important a strength conditioning coach is. "Zach will have an immediate impact on our student-athletes from a strength and conditioning stand point and will work to cultivate a championship mindset and work ethic within the football program," said Larson.
Sega, previously the Co-Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Eau Claire Memorial High School, will coach the Blugold defensive line. Prior to that, Sega coached the defensive line and was the run game coordinator at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The 1995 UWEC alum also was an assistant coach for the Blugolds for four seasons after finishing his collegiate playing career.
"I am ecstatic about the addition of Coach Sega to our football staff," said Larson. "His passion for the game of football is matched only by his passion for coaching players. He brings great experience to our staff and will be a fantastic resource for our players on and off the field."
