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Dale Widolff | |
Head Football Coach / Assistant Athletic Director dwidolff@oxy.edu 323 259 2708 |
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Contact Coach Widolff Occidental football, now in its 108th season, has enjoyed unparalleled success in the last 26 years under Dale Widolff. The Tigers claimed the tenth SCIAC title of Widolff's tenure in 2006, made their sixth post-season appearance, and finished the season ranked 15th in both the AFCA and D3Football.com national polls.
The 2004 squad won two postseason games for the first time
in school history and finished eighth in the final AFCA poll,
the program's fourth top eight finish. The 2001 squad
clinched the conference title after an 8-1 campaign and a perfect
5-0 mark in league play. | 
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Widolff attended the University of Indianapolis where he played center and outside linebacker. He graduated in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in Social Studies - Secondary Education. Prior to Occidental, Widolff served on the coaching staffs at Kansas State, University of Pennsylvania, and Indiana State University, where he earned a master's degree in physical education in 1984. After two years as defensive coordinator, Widolff assumed head
coaching duties in 1982, guiding the Tigers to a 5-5 record and
third place SCIAC finish. Occidental's 34-20 upset of the
University of San Diego, broadcast on national television during
the 1982 NFL strike, was his third game as head coach. From
1983-85, the Tigers won three consecutive SCIAC championships,
advancing to the NCAA playoffs all three seasons. Widolff
earned Division III Region 5 Coach of the Year honors in 1983 and
1985. After a second-place finish in 1986, Occidental shared the
SCIAC title in 1987 and won it outright in 1988 & 1989. |
Occidental's sustained success can also be attributed to
Widolff's knack for fostering coaching excellence. During the
1980's and early '90's, Widolff and his staff used a number
of innovative offensive and defensive schemes, zone blitzes,
and an explosive option-based running attack- derivatives of
which have become common in the game today.
Los Angeles Avengers assistants Bill Dobson and Johnnie Williams,
Philadelphia Eagles tight end coach Tom Melvin, and Gary
Etcheverry, former head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, are all
former Widolff assistants.
| Others-like Jim Barker, general manager of the Calgary
Stampeders, Chris Caminiti, executive assistant with the
Cleveland Browns, and Greg Seamon, scouting director for the
Cincinnati Bengals- have gone on to front office careers. Eight former Tigers have signed free agent contracts with the National Football League. Vance Mueller '86, a fourth round draft choice, played six seasons with the LA Raiders. Two former players were drafted by the Canadian Football League and twenty-three coaches and players have found opportunities overseas. | 
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Since 1982, the program has compiled a regular-season mark of 146-86-2, one of the best winning percentages of any NCAA III/NAIA school in the Western United States. Widolff ranks ninth among winningest active coaches in NCAA DIII.
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Eric Bergstrom | |
Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks ebergstrom@oxy.edu 323 259 2722 |
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Education: Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from University of California, Davis in 2001. Background: Born in Salem, Oregon, Eric has lived in California since 1989. He currently resides in Pasadena with his wife Megan and daughter Penelope. Eric coached Football Gazette Third Team All-American Josh Jones and Ric Fukushima, the SCIAC's John Zinda Award winner, in 2005. Most recently wide reciever Rocky Ciasulli ('08) earned his second First Team All-SCIAC recognition in as many years. He also serves as the team's equipment manager. Coaching Experience: In 2009 Bergstrom takes over the reigns as the Tigers' Offensive Coordinator. He worked closely with Jim Fenwick who served the OC role at Occidental for many years. Occidental College: |
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Whittier College:
Outside Linebackers (2003)
St. Mary's HS, Stockton CA:
Offensive Line/Tight Ends/Defensive Line (2002)
Playing Experience:
UC-Davis: Tight End (1997-2001)
Oak Ridge HS: Tight End/Defensive Lineman/Kicker (1993-1997)
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Erik Johnson | |
Defensive Coordinator / Safeties / Outside Linebackers ejohnson@oxy.edu 323 259 2916 |
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| Education: "EJ" attended Citrus Junior College
and transferred to St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA, where he
played quarterback. He then transferred to Cal State-LA where he
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science.
Background: A Pasadena native, Erik was head football coach at John Muir High school for seven years. He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, the National Football Certification Association, and the Football Coaches Professional Growth Association. EJ resides in Monrovia, CA with his wife Gina and stepdaughter Amber. |
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Coaching Experience: Playing Experience: Notable Accomplishments: |
While at John Muir High School, EJ coached over 30 athletes who
went on to play Div. I or IAA football. The Mustangs' offense
broke several school records, including total yardage and points
scored in a season. Defensively, John Muir ranked in the top
five in points allowed in the CIF Southern Section in 1999 and
2000. EJ's teams won four league titles and made the CIF
playoffs every year, advancing to the semifinals twice, and the
quarterfinals three times. EJ was named Pacific League Coach
of the Year twice (1997 and 1998) and San Gabriel Valley Coach of
the Year once (1997).
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Sae Woon Jo | |
Inside Linebackers / Video Coordinator swoon@oxy.edu 323 259 2551 |
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Education: Jo spent two years at Pasadena City College before transferring to UC-San Diego, where he received a BA in Communications in 2003. Background: A native of La Crescenta, Jo played quarterback and linebacker at Crescenta Valley High School, where he earned the Leon Panduro Memorial Scholarship from the coaching staff. While at UCSD, Jo served as an assistant coach at University City High School, working with both the quarterbacks and defensive linemen. |
Since 2008 Jo has also served as the Coordinator of Recreational Sports and the Manager of Athletic Facilities. He currently resides in Pasadena with his wife Christine.
Coaching
Experience:
Occidental College: Defensive Assistant (2003):
Safeties (2004-2007); Defensive Line (present)
Los Angeles Avengers: Defensive Assistant (2004-2005)
University City High School: Offensive Backs/Defensive Line
(2002)
Playing Experience:
Crescenta Valley High School: QB/ILB (1993-1996)
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Johnnie Williams | |
Defensive Line |
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Bill Dobson | |
Offensive Line wdobson@oxy.edu |
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Bill Dobson, a 1982 graduate of Occidental College, has more than two decades of coaching experience, working at all levels ranging from the AFL and Canadian Football Leagues to Division III. Most recently Dobson was a six-year coach for the Los Angeles Avengers, who he helped advance into the AFL Playoffs four times, including an incredible run to the Western Division title in 2005. In his first four seasons with the club, prior to the recent change in the Arena Football League substitution rules, he coached the Avenger offensive/defensive linemen. In 2005, Dobson was a part of the most amazing season by a lineman in AFL history, coaching Silas Demary, who won both the "ADT Defensive Player of the Year" and "Lineman of the Year" awards. Demary finished the season with 13.5 quarterback sacks to break an AFL single-season record that stood for 18 years. |
Prior to coaching the Avenger offensive and defensive linemen, Dobson spent four seasons coaching in the Canadian Football League. In 2002, he served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Toronto Argonauts, who advanced to the Eastern Division championship game. Dobson was also Toronto's offensive line coach in 1999. Between stints with the Argos, he served as the offensive line coach for the British Columbia Lions (2001) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (2000), where he tutored Western Division Lineman of the Year, Andrew Greene.
Dobson spent six years coaching at the NCAA Division I-A level. He served as the offensive line coach at Cal State Fullerton for two seasons (1991-92) and began his coaching career in 1982 at New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, N.M.). In four years with the Aggies, Dobson worked with both the offensive and defensive lines, as well as the wide receivers.
At the Division I-AA level, Dobson enjoyed a pair of tours at the University of San Diego. He served as the Torero linebacker coach and special teams coordinator in 1993 and 1995, and was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for three seasons (1996-98). San Diego set several passing and scoring records during Dobson's second tenure with the Toreros, when he also recruited and coached AFL standout Evan Hlavacek.
Dobson also coached at the Division II and III levels of college football. He spent 1986 as the offensive line coach at San Francisco State University, succeeding current Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid. In 1987, he moved on to Occidental College (Eagle Rock, Calif.), where he spent four years as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator, helping the Tigers capture three conference titles. Dobson coached two All-America linemen during his time at Occidental, including Los Angeles Rams signee Peter Tucker. In 1994, Dobson was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the University of Redlands (Calif.).
A 1982 graduate of Occidental, Dobson was a four-year letterman as an offensive lineman for the Tigers. He also was a two-year letterman in track & field, participating as a thrower. Dobson went on to earn a master's degree in educational administration from New Mexico State in 1988.
Dobson was born in Stillwater, Okla., on April 1, 1959, but grew up in the San Diego area. He lettered in football, track & field, and basketball at Ramona (Calif.) High School.
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Andrew Chau | |
Cornerbacks / Strength & Conditioning chaua@oxy.edu 310 909 3066 |
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Education: Earned a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1989. Received an M.B.A. from the University of Florida in 1993. Background: Originally from Connecticut, Chau played safety at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He owns strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA, CSCS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM, HFI) Coaching
Experience: Playing Experience: Strength & Conditioning Corporate
Clients: | 
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Notable
Accomplishments:
Chau coached Mike Bryant '06, the first three-time SCIAC
Defensive Player of the Year, last season at Occidental.
While at the US Coast Guard Academy, Chau coached Rick Nines, a
First Team All-New England selection. As the safety and
assistant strength coach at El Camino High School, Chau worked with
dual sport athlete Derek Scott, an All-Avocado League selection in
football (2002) and the 2003 San Diego County Pole Vault
champion. Chau received the 1988 Defensive Leadership
Football Award for Dedication, Enthusiasm, and Teamwork at the U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy and was named Special Teams Player of the
Week in the 1988 and 1985 seasons.
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Matt Andersen | |
Running Backs mandersen@oxy.edu |
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Education: A 2008 graduate of Occidental College, Matt majored in Art History/Visual Arts with a Minor in Education. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Education from Oxy. Background: Born and raised in Sacramento, Calif. Matt aspires to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Don Brown, who went on to become a legendary high school football coach in Sacramento following a successful football (running back) and baseball (second base) career at the University of the Pacific between 1947-49. Coaching Experience: Playing Experience: |
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2004-07 - Part of a 32-game regular season Oxy win-streak
2007 - First Team All-SCIAC - Running Back
2007 - Captain
2006 - Ranked 3rd in Division III in scoring
2005 - 9-0 regular season, ranked fifth before losing to National
Champion Linfield in NCAA Division III 1st Round
20005 - All-SCIAC Honorable Mention - Running Back
2004 - Won two post-season games for the first time in school
history
2004 - Finished 8th in the AFCA Poll
2003 - Coached by Vance Mueller, 1986 Alum, who played six seasons
with LA Raiders
2000-2003 - Played running back and strong safety at Christian
Brothers High School
Additionally, Andersen played four-years of baseball at Occidental.
2008 - Captain
2007 - First Team All-SCIAC - Centerfield
2005 - First Team All-SCIAC - Shortstop
In 2007, his junior year, Matt won First Team All-SCIAC honors
in both football and baseball, marking the first time that feat had
been accomplished at Oxy since Tom Bonetto (1989)
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Rocky Ciasulli | |
Receivers rciasulli@oxy.edu |
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Education: Graduated from Occidental in
December 2007 with a degree in Economics for Business Management
and a minor in Mathematics.
Background: Rocky has lived in Los Angeles his
entire life. Since 1991, his family has lived in Manhattan Beach,
28 short miles away from the Oxy campus. Going to school so close
to home was a blessing not only for him and his parents (who were
able to attend every single athletic event in his collegiate
career, including basketball games and track meets), but also for
his brother, JD (‘09). As a student-athlete, Rocky was
coached by current Offensive Coordinator Eric Bergstrom. Rocky
continues to play professional football in Europe. During the
summer of 2008 he played in Finland and in 2009 he played in Italy.
Coaching Experience:
Occidental College:
Wide Receivers - 2008-present
Playing Experience:
Ancona (Italy) Dolphins (2009)
Jyvaskyla (Finland) Jaguars (2008)
Occidental College (2003, 2005-2007)
Mira Costa High School (2002)
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Jim Kerman | |
Kickers and Punters |
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Now in his 20th year, "Kermo" continues to play an important role at Occidental, coaching the Tiger kickers and punters.
In 2007 Kerman coached both Alex Groh '10 and Neil Martin '10 to All-SCIAC honors with First and Second Team recognition, respectively. Groh, who averaged 45.9 yards/punt, was the first recipient of the Gilburg Award (for outstanding punter in Division III) to sweep the All-America first teams as he garnered top honors on the Associated Press Little All-America, D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) teams.
Groh was not the only Tiger in recent history to lead Division
III punters. In 2003, Cory Ohnesorge '06 was the NCAA Division
III's top punter, averaging 44.4 yards per attempt.
A 1979 Occidental graduate, Kerman has also served as Oxy's
Director of Athletics, Sports Information Director, and assistant
coach for men's basketball and women's softball. He earned
his master's degree in education at United States International
University.
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Phil Kleckler | |
Recruiting Coordinator kleckler@oxy.edu 323 259 2719 |
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Education: Graduated with a double-major in
History and Physical Education from Monmouth College in Monmouth,
IL. in December of 2006 before earning a Master of Business
Administration in 2009 from Averett University in Danville, VA.
Background: Phil joins the Tigers in 2009 after
beginning his football coaching career in Kents Hill, ME as the
Director of Football at Camp All-Star during the summer of 2005. A
three-year student-athlete and two year starting linebacker at
Monmouth College, Kleckler, went on to coach at Averett College for
two seasons.
Coaching Experience:
Averett College:
Assistant Coach – Linebackers, Strength and Conditioning
Coordinator and Junior Varsity Defensive Coordinator (Jan.
2007-Feb. 2009)
Playing Experience:
As a student athlete at Monmouth (2004-06), he was
part of a team that accomplished a combined record of 39-12, a
Midwest Conference Championship, and a National Playoff
Bid. He was a two-time All-Midwest Conference and
Defensive Coachable Player of the Year performer. Additionally,
Phil was an Academic All-Midwest Conference and the team’s
leading tackler in 2006.
