WMU Football Head Coach Lance Taylor Announces Coaching Staff for 2023 Season

Western Michigan head football coach Lance Taylor has announced his coaching staff for the upcoming 2023 season.

The staff features six returners in defensive coordinator and linebackers coach , defensive line coach , cornerbacks coach , tight ends coach , director of football strength and conditioning and assistant director of strength and conditioning . Western Michigan welcomes offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Billy Cosh, running backs coach Anthony Davis, wide receivers coach Jordan Reid, offensive line coach Trevor Mendelson, safeties coach Tim Cooper, special team's coordinator Jeff Popovich, general manager Gaizka Crowley and assistant strength coach Isaiah Bishop.

"I am extremely excited about the coaching staff we have assembled, which has a great combination of veteran experience and innovative coaching minds," said Taylor, who enters his first season at the helm. "We were extremely diligent about bringing in coaches who would be the right fit for our program and our culture. This staff understands and believes in what we are building.  This group not only brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for the game, but is also committed to preparing our student-athletes on and off the field.   Our staff has already hit the ground running recruiting and getting to know our current team. The energy in our building and around our program is high and we are excited about preparing for the 2023 season."

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/LINEBACKERS COACH | LOU ESPOSITO

- Spent the previous seven seasons as defensive coordinator at WMU.- Has coached two student-athletes to MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in Ali Fayad (2021) and Treyshaun Hayward (2019).- Helped produce 20 All-MAC selections on defense, including six First Team selections.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on – "I am excited to have on my first staff as our Defensive Coordinator.  Coach Esposito is one of the top defensive minds in the country and has been the architect behind a Bronco defense that consistently ranks among the best in the MAC. Known as a fierce recruiter, Coach Esposito is an energetic and passionate coach, who always gets the best out of the players and has a passion for helping them maximize their potential."

DEFENSIVE LINE COACH | DAVID DENHAM

- Spent previous three seasons as defensive line coach and assistant special teams coordinator at WMU.- Have coached five defensive linemen to All-MAC selections and MAC Defensive Player of the Year Ali Fayad (2021).- Spent two seasons coaching at UIndy as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on – "I am thrilled to have on staff to coach and mentor the defensive line. He is a talented coach that has groomed several All-MAC performers and will serve as a key piece to our defensive coaching staff. I know Denham is passionate about coaching and developing our student-athletes not only as players, but as young men.  He is one of the best at recruiting and developing young talent."

CORNERBACKS COACH | DONALD CELISCAR

- Coached the WMU cornerbacks during the 2022 season after joining the staff from Lake Erie College

- Coached Third Team All-MAC selection , who led the team with four interceptions.

- Spent one season as defensive backs coach at Montana State and two as a defensive graduate assistant at Minnesota.- Two-time All-MAC cornerback at WMU.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on – " is a bright, young coach who has already made a significant impact on the Bronco defense. Celiscar knows what it takes to compete at this level, as a player led the nation in passes defended per game and was All-MAC first team during his time as a Bronco.  He is a dynamic recruiter, and will be a great leader for the young men in our program."

TIGHT ENDS COACH | ERIC EVANS

- Has been on staff at WMU since 2017, coaching running backs, quarterbacks and serving as the passing game coordinator and offensive play caller.- Coached All-MAC selections Jon Wassink (2019) and LeVante Bellamy (2018, 2019)- Coached WMU to the 23rd-best passing offense in 2020, also ranking ninth in points per game at 41.7.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on – "I am happy to have as part of our inaugural staff. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the offensive side of the ball with the proven ability to connect with the student-athletes. He is e3xtremey detailed oriented and an elite evaluator of talent. His enthusiasm and passion for developing young talent will be paramount to our success. He is a man of character who will be a great fit for the foundation of culture we are building."

DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL STRENGTH & CONDITIONING | GRANT GEIB- Enters third season with the Broncos- Spent five seasons as assistant director of football performance at Purdue.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on – "I am proud to have serve as our Head Strength and Conditioning coach.  Geib's rapport with the student-athletes allows for him to maximize their potential both physically and mentally. He is dedicated to the year-round development that is needed in order for our players to get stronger and faster. His knowledge of technology and resources in the area of sport science is critical in helping lay the foundation and establishing the type of culture we want and will ultimately be evident on game days."

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS COACH | BILLY COSH

- Spent two seasons as the OC at Richmond, averaging 424.1 yards of total offense in 2022 and coaching the Spiders to the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs.- Spent two seasons as OC at VMI, also serving as quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach prior. VMI's offense ranked in top 20 in scoring offense, passing efficiency and total offense during his time as OC.- Graduated from the University of Houston, where he played quarterback, also leading Butler Community College to the NJCCA National Championship in 2012.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on Billy Cosh – "I am extremely excited to have Billy Cosh join our staff as our Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach. He is an innovative coach who has been responsible for developing one of the nation's highest scoring offenses at every level he has coached and is well respected by those who have played for him. An outstanding quarterback himself, he has an eye for talent and a keen understanding of the skills and mindset needed to play that position. He excels at connecting with his players which will be a significant piece to our success. We are fortunate to have Coach Cosh as part of the Bronco Brotherhood."

RUNNING BACKS COACH | ANTHONY DAVIS

- Spent past season as running backs coach at Tennessee Chattanooga, also coached running backs at Akron and VMI.- Coached FCS All-American running backs Ailym Ford (UTC, 2022) and Alex Ramsey (VMI, 2019).- Played at Indiana and Western Kentucky, graduating from UI in 2014.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on Anthony Davis – "I am thrilled to have Anthony Davis as part of our staff. He will coach our running backs, a position he excelled in as a player. He has been successful everywhere he has been as both a player and coach and knows how to develop players to maximize their potential.  He is a bright young coach with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and passion for coaching young men. He is the perfect fit for our Bronco Brotherhood, and I am excited about what he brings to our program."

WIDE RECEIVERS COACH | JORDAN REID

- Served as offensive quality control coach and offensive analyst at Wake Forest for the past two seasons.- Spent one season as an offensive graduate assistant at Ohio.- Graduated from and played at Ohio, finishing his career with 1,667 career yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on Jordan Reid – "I am excited to welcome Jordan Reid as our Wide Receivers coach. Coach Reid is a bright, young, coach who exudes a lot of passion for the game and for the players he coaches. His energy and enthusiasm for coaching young people will be a key to our success. He is no stranger to the Mid-American Conference after a stellar career at MAC opponent Ohio University.  His knowledge of the league will be valuable in recruiting as he will be able to identify and relate with prospective student-athletes about what it takes to compete in the MAC. We are fortunate to have Jordan as part of the Bronco Brotherhood."

OFFENSIVE LINE COACH | TREVOR MENDELSON

- Served as an offensive analyst at Notre Dame- Coached tight ends at Richmond in 2021- Served as an offensive graduate assistant and assistant offensive line coach at Wake Forest for two seasons, helping the Demon Deacons to back-to-back bowl appearances (2018, 2019).- Graduated from and played offensive line at Marshall

Head Coach Lance Taylor on Trevor Mendelson – "I am thrilled to have Trevor Mendelson as a part of our Bronco Brotherhood as our offensive line coach. He is a young coach, who has already had extensive experience with multiple winning programs, including Wake Forest and Notre Dame, and knows what it takes to compete and win at the highest level. As an offensive lineman at Marshall, Trevor was a three-year letter winner playing offensive line. His ability to relate to the young men in our program and the high energy he will bring on a daily basis will have an immediate impact on our program."

SAFETIES COACH | TIM COOPER

- Previously served as defensive coordinator at the University of Indianapolis for four seasons.- Under Cooper, UIndy's defense was one of the best in Division II, recently ranking eighth in the nation in sacks per game in 2021.- Spent two seasons at Pittsburgh as a defensive quality control coach- Graduated from and played at DePauw University, where he was a four-year letterwinner.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on Tim Cooper – "I am thrilled to welcome Tim Cooper to the Bronco football family as our safeties coach. He is a veteran coach who brings a wealth of experience with him. He's experienced success at every level. As defensive coordinator at UIndy his defenses ranked in the Top 25 in Division II in tackles per loss per game for the last three years. He has a strong defensive mind, a keen eye for talent and knows how to get the best out of his players. His passion for coaching and developing young people is unmatched."

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR | JEFF POPOVICH

- Experienced coach, who served as special teams coordinator at Georgia Tech from 2019-21.- Coached Pressley Harvin III, who won the Ray Guy Award for the nation's top punter in 2020 at Georgia Tech.- Had coaching stops in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, and in the NCAA with Boise State, FIU and Miami (Fla.)- Played defensive back and graduated from the University of Miami.

Head Coach Lance Taylor on Jeff Popovich – "I am thrilled to welcome Jeff Popovich to the staff as our Special Teams Coordinator. With over 15 years of coaching, most all at the Division I level, Coach Popovich has developed multiple special teams standouts, including Pressley Harvin III who won the Ray Guy Award as college football's top punter in 2020.  He brings an immense amount of energy to our program and connects with every player he coaches. He also spent time in the NFL, as both a player and a coach, so he knows what it takes to be successful at the next level. Coach Popovich is another critical piece for our program and we are ecstatic to have him here in Kalamazoo!"

GENERAL MANAGER | GAIZKA CROWLEY

- Served as chief of staff and director of player personnel at UNLV, overseeing the recruiting department and personnel.- Spent two seasons as the director of recruiting and player personnel at Southern Illinois.- Graduate of Florida State University. 

Head Coach Lance Taylor on Gaizka Crowley – "I am delighted to have Gaizka Crowley join our staff as General Manager. In this role, he will oversee the day to day activities and organization of our recruiting staff and operations, including prospect identification and transfer portal evaluations. Gaizka has extensive experience and expertise working in each of these areas of focus. He is extremely hard worker, creative, and detailed oriented. We are fortunate to have him on our staff."