D3 Coaches and Coordinators of the Week Presented by Hansen Ratings | Week 6
Week 6 of Division III football delivered another No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown, standout offensive performances, and dominant defensive efforts across the country.
On this episode of D3 Coaches and Coordinators of the Week, presented by Hansen Ratings, Keith Grabowski and Logan Hansen recognize three coaching staffs whose performances stood out in Week 6. Each coach shares insights into the preparation, practice structure, and coaching philosophies behind their team’s success.
Offensive Coordinator of the Week: Eli Kosanovich, Illinois Wesleyan
Illinois Wesleyan rolled past Carroll 44-7, producing more than 500 yards on just 55 plays while scoring on every first-half possession. The Titans completed 20 of 23 passes and consistently moved the chains without relying on third-down conversions.
Kosanovich discusses the value of reinforcing fundamentals throughout the season and how consistent repetition develops players who can recognize mistakes, communicate corrections, and coach one another.
Defensive Coordinator of the Week: Mikey Swider, Wheaton College
Wheaton claimed the No. 1 ranking with a 13-10 victory over North Central, limiting the Cardinals to just 165 total yards and 36 rushing yards on 40 attempts.
Swider explains how purposeful practice repetitions build defensive confidence and how GoRout helps Wheaton maximize preparation time. He shares his approach to progressing from specific opponent looks to unpredictable game situations, along with the benefits of using the second-team offense to create faster, more physical scout-team periods.
Head Coach and Staff of the Week: Ryan Munz, UW-Platteville
UW-Platteville delivered a complete performance in a 38-0 victory over previously unbeaten UW-Eau Claire. The Pioneers held the Blugolds under 200 total yards while quarterback Nathan Uselding completed 30 of 33 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns.
Munz discusses the importance of organizational structure, clearly defined weekly expectations, and managing players’ physical and mental workloads. He explains how effective preparation begins with a plan for the entire program, not just the game plan.
Bonus Interview: Jeff Devanney, Trinity College
The episode also features a Week 5 conversation with Trinity head coach Jeff Devanney following a 45-0 victory over Williams.
Devanney explains why Trinity made a significant defensive adjustment during preseason camp, moving away from its traditional aggressive quarters approach to better utilize a dominant front seven. He shares how building a flexible system allows coaches to adapt their schemes to the strengths of their personnel without overcomplicating individual assignments.
Key Takeaways
- Fundamentals create player-driven coaching: Consistent repetition helps players develop the knowledge and confidence to correct one another.
- Practice efficiency improves game preparation: More meaningful repetitions allow defenses to prepare for both an opponent’s base offense and potential wrinkles.
- Structure supports performance: Clear schedules and expectations help players focus when it matters and recover when they need to.
- Adapt the scheme to the personnel: Building flexibility into a system allows coaches to emphasize their players’ strengths rather than force a predetermined approach.
- Staff continuity matters: Trust, collaboration, and long-term relationships contribute to sustained program success.
Presented by Hansen Ratings, providing data-driven analysis and performance recognition throughout Division III football.
Connect on X:
Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski
Logan Hansen: @LogHanRatings
Eli Kosanovich: @elikosanovich_
Mikey Swider: @_CoachSwider
Ryan Munz: @Ryan_Munz
Jeff Devanney: @CoachDevanney
Follow the Coach and Coordinator Network for more conversations with coaches across college and high school football.