March 4, 2010

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State first-year head football coach Matt Mitchell announced the hiring of three assistant football coaches that will begin their duties immediately. Chris Simpson will take over coaching the linebackers, while Tim Morrison will coach the offensive line and Nick Postma the defensive backs. Grand Valley State will begin spring practice on Saturday, March 20 in the Laker Turf Building. GVSU will kick-off spring workouts with Mitch-A-Palooza Thursday, March 19 at 11:45 p.m. in the Laker Turf Building.

"We were able to attract some outstanding candidates for our openings and we are excited about all three coaches that have joined our staff," said Mitchell. "All three coaches come from winning football programs that have participated in postseason play."

Simpson joins the GVSU coaching staff after two years on the Nebraska-Omaha staff as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator. The Mavericks were 14-9 with one appearance in the NCAA DII playoffs during his time on the staff. Simpson spent five years at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he was an assistant coach in charge of the linebackers. UWW was 42-3 his final three seasons with three straight NCAA DIII National Championship game appearances and three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crowns. The Warhawks claimed the 2007 National Championship and turned in an overall mark of 56-9 during his five years on the staff.

In addition, Simpson coached two years (1999-2000) at Waunakee (Wis.) High School, one year (2001) at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, as a graduate assistant and one year (2002) at Wisconsin-Platteville. In the summer of 2006, Simpson was selected as a participant at the NCAA Men's Football Coaches Academy. He also has received an NFL Minority Coaching Internship the past four years, from the Green Bay Packers, for defensive line and special teams in the summer of 2006, in 2007 with the Dallas Cowboys, in 2008 with the Carolina Panthers and in 2009 with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.

Simpson graduated with a bachelor's degree from Wisconsin-Whitewater in physical education in 1998. He earned his masters in curriculum and instruction in 2004.

"I'm happy to become a member of the Grand Valley State football staff and join a program that is as highly regarded as that of Laker football," said Simpson.

Morrison most recently completed his ninth year as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Wartburg. In addition, Morrison spent the last two years (2008-2009) as the offensive coordinator for the Knights. Wartburg was 66-17 during his time on the staff, including four trips to the NCAA DIII playoffs. The Knights ranked as one of the top offensive units in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and in Division III with Morrison at the helm of the offense. Wartburg used a balanced attack en route to setting several team and individual records, while his offensive lines allowed just 48 quarterback sacks in over 1,600 passing attempts from 2002-2009. Tim spent two years (1999-2000) coaching the linebackers and special teams at Allegheny College.

Morrison earned four letters (1995-1999) and was the starting fullback for three seasons at Wartburg. He was voted team captain honors as a senior. Morrison earned a B.A. degree in secondary education at Wartburg in 1999 and completed his masters of arts in education degree from Viterbo (Wis.) University in July of 2007. "I am excited to join the Grand Valley State football program," said Morrison. "GVSU has a storied history and you can feel the excitement surrounding Laker football each and every day."

Postma makes a return to Grand Valley State after a two-year hiatus. He spent the last two years as an assistant coach at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio where he coached the defensive backs. Postma spent the 2007 season as a graduate assistant at GVSU working with the wide receivers, while his 2006 campaign was spent at Gannon University as a defensive backs coach. A graduate of Saginaw Valley State, Postma earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science in June of 2005. Postma was a four-year letterwinner and a three-year starter for the Cardinals on the gridiron as a strong safety. Saginaw Valley State appeared in the NCAA Division II playoffs each of his playing seasons, while also capturing a GLIAC Championship in 2003. SVSU compiled an overall record of 39-9 and a GLIAC mark of 34-6 during his career. Postma, who recorded 110 career tackles, earned All-GLIAC honors as a senior.

"It is exciting to return to Grand Valley State and the football program," said Postma. "Grand Valley State has an incredible tradition on the football field and I am eager to get going and prepare for spring practice."