Northwood University announced a series of new Athletics hires, including new coaches for its football and lacrosse programs.
“This is an exciting time for Northwood University, both in and out of the classroom,” stated President Kent MacDonald. “We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding coaches to Northwood University and into our athletics department. Under their leadership, we believe they will attract student-athletes who excel in the classroom, contribute to competitive athletic excellence and support our commitment to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.”
During a Dec. 19 press conference, Northwood announced Dustin Beurer will be the University’s ninth Head Football Coach in program history.
Beurer replaces Leonard Haynes, who recently resigned as head coach to take a new position at Northwood as a Development Officer in Advancement.
“We are thrilled to add Dusty to our athletic family,” said Jeff Curtis, Northwood University Athletic Director. “We were fortunate to have a number of outstanding candidates for this position, but Dusty emerged as the best person to take program to new heights. His passion and energy for football has led to a highly successful run as a head coach. He will do a tremendous job leading our program.”
Beurer has spent the last four seasons as the head coach at Albion College. In his time leading the Britons program, Albion posted a 29-5 overall record. The 2021 American Football Coaches Association Division III Midwest Region Coach of the Year, Beurer won two Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic (MIAA) Conference championships and had a pair of teams end the year ranked in the top-25 nationally. Three of his four teams earned regional rankings at the conclusion of the season. Beurer coached a total of 47 All-MIAA team members, which included 23 First Team honorees. Over the past four seasons, the Britons have averaged 464 yards of offense per game
Prior to his team leading the program, Beurer spent 11 seasons on the staff at Albion in a variety of roles. He also spent two seasons on the staff at Morehead State University.
“I am honored to be named the next head football coach at Northwood University,” said Beurer. “I want to thank President Kent MacDonald and Jeff Curtis for providing a clear vision and giving a Division III guy an opportunity. I believe that great people make a great place and I truly felt that throughout the interview process.
“This opportunity had to be a special place for me to leave my alma mater and a place I have called home for 20 years of my adult life. It was clear to me after meeting and speaking with the alumni and current players that they are all hungry to win. Our staff and players will work tirelessly to have a positive impact on campus, in the community, and on the field of competition. My family and I are excited to join the Midland community and I am ready to bring unmatched energy and enthusiasm in everything we do.”
Northwood football has been competing since 1962. The program has accumulated 263 wins and six conference championships. NU has also appeared in the NCAA Division II playoffs four times.
New lacrosse coaches announced
Also during Monday’s press conference, Northwood announced the hiring of Jacob Fredal as head coach for the men’s lacrosse program, and Morgan Radners as the first women’s lacrosse coach in program history.
“I am excited to have Jacob relaunch our men’s lacrosse program,” Curtis stated. “He brings a great love of the sport and his excitement at the chance to start our program made him the right choice. His knowledge and ability to recruit the Detroit area will be a big part of our team having success in the future.”
Fredal has been working as the defensive coordinator at Detroit Country Day high school since December of 2020. The program has gone 34-4 in his two season on staff. They have reached the state finals and semifinals in those two seasons. He has also been working with one of the preeminent club programs in the state, the Juiced Cherries of Birmingham, since May of 2021.
“The excitement around the program has been experiencing a snow-ball effect throughout our campus and Michigan,” Fredal stated. “Northwood offers a great fit to a lot of outstanding young man who play lacrosse. I am excited to bring more future leaders of our world onto our campus to be a part of this team.”
This will be the second time Northwood will feature a varsity men’s lacrosse program, as NU had a team from 1992-2000. The Men’s lacrosse program will spend the 2023-24 athletic year recruiting a roster while competing in scrimmages and exhibition games. The team will begin regular competition in 2024-25.
The women’s lacrosse program also will spend the 2023-24 athletic year recruiting a roster while competing in scrimmages and exhibition games. The team also will begin regular competition in 2024-25.
“Morgan (Radners) is a great addition to our athletic department,” Curtis stated. “Her passion for the sport of lacrosse makes her the perfect hire to launch our new program. I’m excited to see her get our women’s program get going.”
Radners joins the Northwood Athletic Department with a variety of experience in lacrosse. She has been an assistant coach at Concordia University in Ann Arbor since September. Radners also spent two years coaching lacrosse in England at the Canford School. In addition, she was the head junior varsity coach at South Lyon High School for the 2021 season. Radners got her start in collegiate lacrosse coaching at Olivet College, serving as an assistant coach as well as the Interim Head Coach from November 2018 until the program was dropped in 2019. Her coaching experience also includes a number of roles as a volunteer coach, including with the South Lyon Pumas Club team head coach (2019-21), the Cyclones Girls Lacrosse Club (2017-21). Radners has certifications as a Level One through Level Three Coach from USA Lacrosse and as a Level Two Coach from England Lacrosse.
“I am really grateful to Jeff Curtis and President Kent MacDonald for trusting me to make history at Northwood,” Radners stated. “Growing women’s lacrosse is a passion of mine and I’m really excited to get going, I couldn’t think of a better place to do that in Michigan than at Northwood.”
