Warrior Football
Defensive Coaching Staff
David Braun
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
David Braun, a former WSU defensive captain and graduate assistant, has been hired as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
“David is one of the most passionate captains that I’ve had here at Winona State,” WSU head coach Tom Sawyer said. “His purple blood runs deep and we are excited to have him come back to our program.
“As a captain his leadership skills were through the roof and his passion and football knowledge are perfect to help continue to grow our program. Additionally, as both an undergrad and graduate student at Winona State, David has a deep attachment and strong relationships with the city of Winona, Winona State University and the people in and around this town.”
Braun comes back to Winona after spending the 2010 season as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Culver-Stockton.
Culver-Stockton defenders finished 11th national with 25 sacks last season and forced 25 takeaways as a unit.
“This is a dream come true to come back and coach at my alma mater and to work for Coach Sawyer,” Braun said. “I am excited to work with this great staff and to continue working toward NSIC Championships and hopefully a national championship.”
After a standout career on the field with Winona State, Braun spent two seasons as a graduate assistant working with the defensive line under Sawyer. He helped coach defenses in 2007 and 2008 that led the league in turnover margin. The Warriors forced 23 takeaways in 2007 while netting 37 turnovers the next season.
Braun was a two-time all-conference player on the defensive line for the Warriors, helping the team to conference titles in 2004, 2005 and 2007. WSU advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs three times in his four seasons.
He helped lead the Warriors to an NSIC Championship and a spot in the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2007 and was a part of a defense that led the NSIC in turnover margin the following year. In two seasons with WSU, six of Braun’s defensive linemen were named all-conference performers.
As a player, Braun played on three NSIC Championship teams and advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2003, 2004 and 2006. He was an all-NSIC selection as a sophomore and junior, and was a part of a unit that led the conference in scoring defense three times during his WSU career.
Brian Curtin
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
Brian Curtin is in his 15th year as a member of the Winona State University coaching staff. Curtin tutors WSU defensive backs while also serving as the team’s co-defensive coordinator.
Curtin has been a member of head coach Tom Sawyer’s staff almost from the beginning, helping turn around a program and usher in an era of unprecedented success. Curtin joined the WSU staff in 1997, Sawyer’s second year as the team’s head man.
In those 15 seasons, Curtin has helped the Warriors to eight NSIC Championships, as well as the 2010 NSIC South Division crown. WSU has advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs five times since Curtin’s arrival while also playing in two Mineral Water Bowls.
Curtin’s defenses have been a major part in the Warriors’ success. Building their team around a stingy, ball hawking unit, Curtin has helped tutor five consecutive NSIC Defensive Players of the Year. A Warrior claimed the honor from 2002-2006, with Curtin personally coaching safety John Tackmann to the award in 2005 and 2006.
Tackmann was an All-American under Curtin’s watchful eye in 2005 and 2006. He also coached Jamey Hutchinson to First Team All-American honors in 1997.
Curtin has helped the Warriors to four seasons of ten or more victories and ten campaigns in which the team won at least eight games. The Warriors have not had a losing season since Curtin became a member of the WSU coaching staff. His defenses also helped the team compile a 35 game home conference winning streak that began in 2008 and stretched through the end of the 2008 season.
Since joining the WSU staff, Curtin has helped tutor defensive units that led the NSIC in turnover margin (four times), scoring defense (three times), total defense (twice), rush defense and passing efficiency defense.
Curtin played football at Winona State and was a member of the 1993 NSIC Championship team. That squad went 7-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play to earn the only NAIA Playoff bid in school history. The Warriors repeated as NSIC Champions in 1994, posting a 7-3-1 overall record and 5-0-1 mark in league play.
Before attending Winona State, Curtin played football at Moriane Valley Community College.
Curtin graduated from Winona State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Teaching with an emphasis in Social Science and History. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Winona State University.
Curtin is also an advisor for the Student-Athlete Services department at Winona State, as well as being an instructor in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science.
Curtin lives in Winona with his wife Sarah and their two children, Caitlin and Patrick.
Ryan Markgraf
Assistant Coach/Outside Linebackers
Ryan Markgraf is in his third season as a student assistant with the WSU football program. Markgraf has spent all three seasons working with the Warrior offensive line.
Markgraf helped tutor an offensive line that opened holes for 1,000 yard rusher Rayon Simmons in 2010. In the past two seasons, six linemen have earned all-NISC honors, including 2010 first-team all-conference honoree Jason Enos. Casey Clark and freshman Richard Lilla were also named to the all-NSIC team.
Markgraf played two years of football for Winona State, helping the team win the 2007 NSIC Championship. He also spent two years at Harper College, competing in both football and track and field. At Harper, Markgraf finished third nationally in the shot put in 2006.
He is currently working toward a degree in Physical Education with minors in Special Education and Coaching.
