Football Coaching / Training Staff

 

Head Coach - Brad LaPlante enters his fourth year as Head Coach of the Yellowjackets. LaPlante has led the Yellowjackets to 3 State Championship Games (winning 2) and 2 NJCAA Bowl Bids (2004 Top of the Mountains Bowl-Utah and 2005 Graphic Edge Bowl-Iowa). LaPlante’s head coaching record entering the 2007 season is 25-10. He previously coached offensive line for the Yellowjackets from 1999 until 2002 and was co-offensive coordinator from 2000-2002. During those years, the Yellowjackets earned 3 state titles and 4 bowl game berths (Iowa, Iowa, Utah, Kansas). In 2003, Coach LaPlante was the offensive line coach for the New Caney Eagles near Houston, Texas. The Eagles earned a playoff berth for the first time since 1997.

A former All-State player from Chatfield, MN, Brad played Center for the Yellowjackets in 1997 and 1998 earning All-conference, All-State and All-Region Honors. Both years the Yellowjackets were State Champs and earned bowl games in New York and Iowa.

Coach LaPlante earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Winona State University and his Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. Brad is married to Christie, who is a special education teacher in Rochester. They have 2 children, Carson (23 months) and Cashton (7 months).
Offensive Coordinator - Coach Donny Holcomb is in his 6th season of coaching RCTC football. In 1999-2000, he coached the running-backs as part of a national championship season and is currently the quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator. Prior to RCTC he coached the offensive/defensive lines at Mayo High School in Rochester. Coach Holcomb is an RCTC Alumni and also finished his playing career at UWEC. During his football career he was an All-Conference, All-State, and All-Region athlete. Coach Holcomb received his Masters Degree in Education from Winona State University and teaches Physical Education at Willow Creek Middle School in Rochester, is the Head Coach for the boys track team at Mayo High School and is also the Head Coach for the semi-pro Rochester Giants football team during the summer. Most importantly he has a wife (Kate) who teaches first grade in Rochester and two football boys, Cayden (5) and Carter (3).
Wide Receivers Coach - Clarence Woods is in his 4th year as a member of the Yellowjackets coaching staff. He played WR for RCTC in 1998 when the Yellowjackets won the state championship and were runners-up in the Pepsi-Cola Bowl. Clarence later transferred to the University of Minnesota where he played WR and special teams for the Gophers. While at the U of M, Woods participated in the ’99 Sun Bowl and the ’00 Micron PC.com Bowl. Coach Woods earned his Associate’s Degree in ’99 from RCTC and his BS from the University of Minnesota in ’02. Coach Woods currently works as a youth counselor for Olmsted County.

 
Defensive Line Coach and Defensive Coordinator - Dave Adams returns after two years away to re-join the coaching staff for his 4th season. Dave played high school football for Don Henderson at Triton, and served as an assistant coach at Triton for two seasons. He coached running backs and linebackers as a student assistant at Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2002. Dave coached as a member of RCTC’s coaching staff in 1999, 2000 and again in 2004. In the 2000’s National Championship season he coached the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year, defensive tackle Dustin Looman. Dave spent the last two years as head football coach at Wabasha-Kellogg High School. In addition to his coaching duties Dave is RCTC’s equipment manager, teaches in the Health and Exercise Science program at Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, and is an officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Dave is married to the former Tracey Hess. The couple has two daughters, Amelia (5) and Ava (1).
  Linebackers/Secondary Coach and Special Teams Coordinator - Derrick Hintz is entering his 9th year with the Yellowjackets (his 3rd stint). Coach Hintz coached from 1995-1999 with Coach Swisher, 2000 with Coach Siefert, and 2002-03 with Coach Hosier. While at RCTC he has coached LB’s, offensive line, and coordinated the special teams, and will be joining the staff this year to coach the linebackers. Coach Hintz has almost 30 seasons of coaching experience in high school football, college football, high school wrestling, and high school track and field. Coach Hintz has his BS in Technology Education from UW-Stout (where he also wrestled for his last 2 seasons,) and his MA in Applied Kinesiology-Sports Science from the University of Minnesota. Last, but certainly not least Coach Hintz is married to Debbie and has a son Matthew (who has football on the brain) and a daughter Maddeson.
  Kicking Coach - Ken Navitsky is a 1989 graduate of Sarasota Riverview, FL. While in high school, Ken was a three sport athlete in football, soccer and track and an all-district performer in both football and soccer. He played for the USA Today National Championship as a member of the Rams football program his senior year. He received a football scholarship to Minnesota State University in Mankato and was a three time all NCC conference selection as well as a USA Today and CM Frank All-American his senior year. He still ranks #5 on the all-time scoring list for the Mavericks. While at MSU he also was a two-time all NSIC conference soccer player for the Mavericks soccer club. Ken was a member of the very first all-star game in the GPFL representing the east.
  Defensive Backs Coach - Clint Thome is in his second year as a member of the Yellowjackets’ coaching staff. Clint played cornerback for RCTC in 1998 and 1999 under Coach Joel Swisher. He helped the Yellowjackets to two conference titles, back-to-back state championships, and two Pepsi-Cola Bowl appearances. Clint earned 1st Team All-MCCC honors as a cornerback. Clint then went on to finish up at the University of South Dakota where he played free/strong safety and special teams. Clint earned his AA in Liberal Arts at RCTC and his BS in education from the University of South Dakota. Clint currently teaches physical education at Pinewood Elementary School in Rochester. Clint coached two seasons with the Mayo Spartans football program and also coaches girls fast-pitch at Mayo High School. He is married to his lovely wife Crystal, and has 3 beautiful children; Chante, Catiera, and Caisen. Clint continues to compete in football, playing free safety for the 4 time GPFL Champion Rochester Giants.

  Running Backs Coach - Rob Cothern is returning for his 4th year at RCTC. Rob is looking forward to another exciting year at RCTC and is expecting big things from this year’s team. Rob is married to his wonderful wife Elise and they have two great sons (who love coming to practice) Max and Tate.


  Offensive Line Coach - Ryan Fogarty enters his 2nd season as the offensive line coach at RCTC. Ryan is returning to RCTC after playing for the Yellowjackets during the 2001 and 2002 football seasons. After RCTC, Ryan transferred to Upper Iowa University where he played for the Peacocks during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. In December 2005, Ryan graduated from Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.

  Stats - Ted Gunnarson is starting his 40th year with the Yellowjackets! Ted received his BS from Augustana College in Souix Falls, SD. He taught PE, Health, was Head Baseball Coach, started the cross-country program, and was the IM Director for 29 years at RCTC. He started here at the College in 1964 and retired from most of his jobs in 1994. Ted is married to Priscilla and has two boys, Jay and Todd, and 4 grandchildren. Thanks Ted for all your years of service!
  Stats - John Attewell is starting his first year with the Yellowjackets. John is originally from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has a BS in biology from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. He has a PhD in both plant science and applied statistics from the University of Tennessee. John has served in the US Army, worked as a plant breeder and agronomist and recently completed a computer science major at RCTC. He is currently a Research Fellow at Mayo Clinic.

  Team Manager - Brandon Butturff is in his second year of volunteering with the RCTC Yellowjacket football team. Brandon enjoys the game of football and being a member of the team.

 

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851 30th Ave SE :: Rochester, MN 55904-4999
RCTC Athletic Office: (507) 285-7273.
Or call RCTC General Information @ 1-800-247-1296
Members: MCCC Minnesota Community College Conference
NJCCA National Junior College Athletic Association.

Rochester Community and Technical College is a member the Minnesota College and University System. © 2004 Rochester Community & Technical College (RCTC), All rights reserved. RCTC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.