CRAIG McCORD, ASSISTANT HEAD COACH
(QUARTERBACKS/KICKING COORDINATOR)

Craig McCord is in his 21st year on the coaching staff, including his fourth season as assistant head coach.  He works with the quarterbacks and coordinates the kicking game. Craig was the defensive coordinator from 1996-2004 and was a defensive assistant coach from 1988-95; he served as an assistant to Hall of Fame coach Frosty Westering for 17 years. Prior to graduating from PLU in 1983, Craig served as an undergraduate assistant in 1981. Craig went on to earn his master's degree from the University of Washington (1988) and while at the UW was a graduate assistant for Hall of Fame coach Don James for three seasons. Craig coached prep football at Bellevue (1980) and Bethel (1982-84) high schools. McCord is single and lives in Hoodsport on Hood Canal.

JUD KEIM, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Jud Keim is in his fourth year on the Pacific Lutheran University football coaching staff. He served as the defensive backs coach for the 2004 season and became the team's defensive coordinator in 2005. A 1986 graduate of PLU, Jud was a four-year letter winner in football and track and field for the Lutes. He was a two-time all-conference running back in football and participated in track and field. His coaching background includes four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., four seasons at California Lutheran University, including three years as the defensive coordinator, and two years as a graduate assistant at Mankato State. He also was an assistant coach for one season at Kamiak H.S. in Mukilteo, Wash. In addition to his coaching duties, Jud is the director of PLU’s intramural sports program. His wife, Sari (Tollefson), is a 1987 PLU graduate and is a financial planner with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Jud, Sari, their daughter Kalen (11) and son Jace (8) reside in Gig Harbor.

STEVE STOKER, LINEBACKERS

Steve Stoker is in his 11th year as a Pacific Lutheran assistant coach. Steve originally served on the PLU staff from 1996-99, and returned in 2001 for his second stint as a linebackers and special teams coach with the Lutes. In 2000, he was defensive coordinator at William Penn College in Iowa. Steve was born and raised in Kansas and served as team captain his sophomore season on the Ft. Scott Community College football team. He then played one season at Pittsburg State University before an injury ended his playing career. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Pacific Lutheran and is a teacher at Ford Middle School in the Franklin Pierce School District. Steve and his wife, Bridget, daughter Justine (7) and son Jackson (5) live in Milton.

JIM LINDBERG, DEFENSIVE LINE

Jim Lindberg is in his sixth year as a member of the PLU coaching staff. He previously coached a total of 20 years at three high schools - Bethel (1982-86), Fife (1987-96) and Olympic (1997-2001). He helped coach Bethel and Fife high schools to two league championships each and helped coach Olympic to a playoff berth. A 1979 graduate of Central Washington University, Jim is a teacher at River Ridge High School in the North Thurston School District.

DAVID LaSALATA, OFFENSIVE LINE

David LaSalata, a four-year letterwinner for the Lutes, is in his third season as a member of the PLU coaching staff and has responsibility for the offensive line. David, a team co-captain, capped his playing career in 2005 by being named to the all-conference second team offensive lineman. He was also a three-time ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District selection. David earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science in 2005 and his master's degree in education from PLU. He teaches eighth grade science at Ford Middle School, coaches wrestling at Franklin Pierce High School, and is co-founder of "More than Champions" Football Camp. David and his wife, Arielle, live in Parkland with their dog, Randi.

DAVID RASTOVSKI, RUNNING BACKS/KICKING COORDINATOR

David Rastovski is in his third season as a member of the PLU coaching staff. He coaches the running backs and and coordinates the kicking game. Prior to coming to PLU, David was a high school head football coach at Bethel (1982-86), Fife (1987-89), Mountain View (1990-96) and Olympic (1997-2000). He also was an assistant coach at San Jose State University (1978) and Cal State Northridge (1976-77) and was a graduate assistant at Stanford University (1975-76). David received his bachelor's degree from the University of Puget Sound and his master's at Stanford. He played football three years at UPS as a defensive back and was a co-captain as a senior. He and his wife, Susan, have two children, Jennifer and Jonathan.

GAVIN STANLEY, RECEIVERS

Gavin Stanley is in his fourth season on the PLU coaching staff. The 1995 PLU graduate was a two-time NAIA All-American who holds the school records for pass receptions in a game and season and touchdown receptions in a game. He was named to the all-conference first team three times, was the conference's offensive Co-MVP his senior season, was a three-time conference all-academic team selection and was named to the NAIA Academic All-America team in 1995. Gavin earned his master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington and is employed as a staff mechanical engineer at Intel. Gavin, his wife Stephanie (Johnston), also a 1995 PLU graduate, and their two children, Connor and Jenna, reside in Puyallup.

BRENT FRANK, INVERTS/BOMBER OFFENSE

Brent Frank is in his first season as a Pacific Lutheran football assistant coach and will work with the inverts, as well as with the "Bomber" (scout) offense. Brent played his college football for the Lutes, earning honorable mention all-conference honors as a defensive back. He graduated from PLU in December 2006 with a degree in communications and minors in coaching and English. He is currently employed by Legacy Northwest Homebuilders. Brent is married to former PLU women's soccer player Jackie Oehmcke and the couple lives in north Tacoma.

SCOTT PETERSON, RUNNING BACKS/BOMBER DEFENSE

Scott Peterson starts his first season as a Pacific Lutheran football assistant coach and will help with the running backs and the "Bomber" (scout) defense. Scott played his collegiate football at PLU, earning all-conference honors as a kick returner. He graduated in December 2005 with a degree in graphic design and a minor in art history, and is currently employed as a graphic artist in the Washington State Attorney General's office. Scott, who lives in Parkland, is engaged to former PLU women's basketball player Kezia Long and the couple anticipate getting married in spring 2008.

JOHN "NELLIE" NELSON, ADMINISTRATION

John "Nellie" Nelson has been involved in the program since 1989 when, as a PLU student, he attended a postgame "Afterglow." Nelson was born in Singapore with the disease, Arthrogryposis, which has locked all of his joints from the neck down. He also suffers spinal cord problems and has depended on a wheelchair for mobility all of his life. His involvement in the program helped him see a purpose for his life, and he has served as an inspiration for countless PLU football players in the intervening years. In the past several years, he has taken an active role in some of the program's administrative duties. Nellie is single and lives in Tacoma.

MATT FERGUSON, OPERATIONS

Matt Ferguson is in his eighth year, assisting the football program with filming, equipment and other duties. He spent the summer of 2007 working for the Seattle Seahawks during their training camp, assisting with equipment duties and filming practices. He continues to work for the Seahawks during home games. Matt earned his bachelor's degree in communications from PLU in December 2004 and resides in Browns Point.