Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

Feb. 7, 2021 – Loras College football head coach Steve Helminiak '91 announced the hiring of two assistant coaches for the Duhawk football team in special teams and corners coach Nathaniel Jones and defensive line coach Riley Martello.

"I am extremely pleased and excited to add Nathaniel as our special teams coordinator/corners coach and Riley as our defensive line coach," said Helminiak. "Both Nathaniel and Riley bring an array of experiences and insight that will benefit our players, program and current coaches on staff."

Jones comes to Loras with nearly 20 years of coaching experience, most recently serving as the head coach at St. Augustine High School in his home state Louisiana where he directed all operations for the football team in addition to his duties as an African American Studies teacher. He moved into the head coaching role after two seasons as the defensive backs coach with the program. Prior to his time at St. Augustine, Jones has coached at the collegiate level at the University of St. Francis, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Midwestern State University and Northwestern State University. He has also worked with the National Football League for the United Kingdom scouting division. In addition to his football experience, Jones bring knowledge on the academic side after working in education as a high school teacher for five years.

Jones earned his bachelors degree in general studies from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2000 where he was a four-year letter winner and team captain.  

Martello joins the Duhawks after serving as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for western Montana and Utah at Carroll College in the spring of 2020. Prior to his time at Carroll, he was the defensive line, punt team and offensive team scout at his alma mater, the University of Montana Western, for the 2019 season. As a student-athlete, Martello was a linebacker and three-year captain during the 2013-2018 seasons and was named the Special Teams Player of the Year in 2015. He graduated from Montana Western with a bachelors degree in human health and performance and minor in coaching in 2018.

The Duhawks will begin the spring football season, moved from the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Saturday, Mar. 27 at home, hosting the University of Northwestern (Minn.) at 6 P.M. Loras starts American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) action on Saturday, Apr. 3 at Luther College.