March 12, 2004

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State University head football coach Chuck Martin announced Friday the hiring of three assistant football coaches. Steve Brockelbank (Offensive Line), Matt Mitchell (Linebackers) and Matt Middleton (Wide Receivers) will join the Laker coaching staff effective immediately.

"I am excited about adding these three quality coaches to our staff," said first-year head coach Chuck Martin. "We were able to bring in coaches that have significant knowledge of what we want to do both offensively and defensively, but more importantly come from outstanding backgrounds in the coaching ranks."

Brockelbank, who will handle the offensive line duties for the Lakers, has spent the last five years as head football coach at Ludington High School. Prior to his tenure at Ludington, Steve was the offensive line coach at Hillsdale College from 1994-99. In addition to coaching the offensive line, Brockelbank was the offensive coordinator for the Chargers from 1997-99. While at Hillsdale, Brockelbank guided an offense that ranked among the best in the MIFC in terms of total offense. Steve also spent two years (1992-93) as the offensive line coach at Wayne State. Brockelbank, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1991, was a three-year letterwinner and a two-time All-Mid American Conference performer for the Eagles on the gridiron. A native of Jenison, Brockelbank earned all-state honors for the Wildcats in 1985.

Middleton will take over the wide receiver duties for Grand Valley State. He most recently was an assistant coach at national prep power Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La. Evangel Christian finished as the 2003 Louisiana 5A state runner-up. Matt was responsible for coaching the wide receivers, scouting opponents and film breakdown while at Evangel Christian. Middleton spent two years (2001-02) as an offensive undergraduate assistant at Louisiana Tech University. Louisiana Tech won the Western Athletic Conference title and played in the 2001 Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl during Middleton's tenure. His primary responsibilities while at Louisiana Tech included working with the wide receivers and scout team preparation. Middleton, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana Tech in 2003, was a three-year performer at West Monroe (La.) High School and played one year of collegiate football at Mississippi College (1997).

Mitchell, who will coach the linebackers at GVSU, spent the last four years at Wartburg (Iowa) College as an assistant coach, including the final two as the defensive coordinator. Wartburg, which compiled a record of 21-3 while Mitchell was in charge of the defense, advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA DIII National Championship each of the last two years. Wartburg finished third in total defense, second in rush defense and eighth in scoring defense in 2003 under Mitchell's guidance. His 2002 defense also ranked among the top 10 statistically in DIII. In addition to coaching, Matt was also the head strength and conditioning coordinator at Wartburg during tenure. Mitchell earned his B.S.S in Biology and Secondary Education from Cornell (Iowa) College in 1997. Matt was a two-time, First-Team All-Midwest Conference selection as a defensive lineman during his playing career at Cornell College.

Martin also announced that current Laker assistant coach, Todd Kolster, will be the running backs coach and co-offensive coordinator. Kolster, who has coached the GVSU running backs the last three years, will also hold the title of recruiting coordinator.