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| Alan Hensell, left, and Daryl
Agpalsa will join Lance Leipold on the University of Buffalo
coaching staff. Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com |
Lance Leipold announced the hiring of six assistant coaches, four of them from his UW-Whitewater coaching staff to his staff at the University of Buffalo.
Brian Borland (defensive coordinator), Andy Kotelnicki (offensive coordinator), Daryl Agpalsa (offensive line) and Alan Hensell will join the UB coaching staff. In addition, Matt Simon (running backs) and Chris Cosh (defensive line) have been retained from the previous staff.
Borland has been the defensive coordinator at Whitewater since 2002, meaning he has been on the Warhawk staff for all eight Stagg Bowl trips. Over the past five years, Borland's defenses have led the WIAC and ranked among the top 20 in the nation in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense. Borland earned Wisconsin Collegiate Assistant Coach of the Year honors from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association in both 2004 and 2006. In the 2009 season, Borland led the Warhawks to the fourth best scoring defense in Division III. In 2010, the Warhawks were ranked second in NCAA Division III in run defense. In 2011, Borland's rushing defense was ranked first in the WIAC.
This season, Whitewater's defense is allowing only 8.5 points per game. Last season, the Warhawks allowed 9.1 points per game, which led the nation. UWW also led the nation in fumbles recovered (19) and turnovers forced (44) in 2013. This year, the Warhawks lead the conference in nearly every defensive category, including turnover margin (+24), interceptions (18) and sacks (34).
"If someone looks at what Whitewater football has been about, it's been pretty special and Brian is a big part of that," Leipold said. "To have him coming along was very important to me."
Kotelnicki has spent the last two seasons as offensive coordinator at UWW. Under Kotelnicki, the Warhawks have featured one of the most potent offensive attacks in the nation. In 2013, Whitewater led the conference and ranked among the top five in the nation in first downs (311), interceptions allowed (1) and turnover margin (+2.3). The Warhawks outscored their opponents 553-136 on the season, averaged nearly 500 yards of total offense per game and threw a program-record 42 touchdown passes. This season, UWW has increased its scoring average to 41.8 points per game. The Warhawks feature a balanced attack, averaging 262 passing yards and 220 rushing yards per game this year.
Prior to Whitewater, Kotelnicki served as offensive coordinator at the University of Mary, an NCAA Division II institution in Bismarck, N.D., for two seasons. In his first year as coordinator, the Marauders averaged 34.2 points per game, over 10 points per game more than the previous season and led the conference in scoring offense, total offense and passing efficiency.
"Andy has been highly respected in what he has done with the versatility of our offense," Leipold said. "I'm excited that he is going to be our coordinator."
Agpalsa has been with Leipold at Whitewater for the past two seasons. Under his leadership, the offensive line blocked for the conference's number two rushing offense and the league's third-best passing attack in 2013. The Warhawks averaged 166.7 yards per game on the ground and 231.1 yards per contest through the air, and set program records in completions (312) and touchdown passes (42). This season, UWW is averaging 220.8 yards rushing and 261.9 yards passing per game – both tops in the conference.
Prior to Whitewater, Agpalsa served as a graduate assistant for the offensive line at Minnesota for three seasons. He mentored a pair of All-Big Ten offensive linemen while with the Gophers.
"Daryl has coached the line here for two years without a senior offensive lineman either season and we've won 27 straight games," Leipold said. "His body of work has been highly impressive."
Hensell will serve as an assistant coach on the offensive side of the ball. His exact position will be determined later. Hensell has been the wide receivers coach under Leipold at Whitewater for the past two seasons. He coached a pair of all-conference receivers last season, including Jake Kumerow who finished the season with 77 catches for 1,331 yards and 19 touchdowns. This year, the Warhawks have two receivers with over 750 yards receiving and at least nine touchdowns.
Hensell has experience in the FBS ranks as he was on the coaching staffs at Ole Miss, Tennessee and Connecticut.
"In a young career, Alan has been at some very impressive programs and has done an outstanding job," Leipold said.