HS Coaches

Travis Kowalski — Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator

Travis Kowalski graduated from Flambeau High School in 2001. While at Flambeau, Travis earned All-Conference and all-region honors while playing receiver and defensive back for a football program that amassed 4 consecutive undefeated conference championships and a state title in 1997. After high school Travis decided to forgo college football and attend college to become a teacher and coach. In 2008 he was hired at Holmen and immediately took up coaching football. From 2008-2011 he worked as a varsity assistant coaching defensive backs while also working with the JV team. In 2012 he took over as varsity offensive coordinator. In 2013 Travis was selected as an offensive assistant coach for the 2013 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Game. In 2016 Travis was hired as the head football coach at Holmen.

Contact info: 608-780-9781 (c); 608-526-3372 ext:6510 (w); kowtra@holmen.k12.wi.us

Nick Wiese –Defensive Coordinator

Nick Wiese graduated from Wrightstown High School in 2010. Nick chose to attend UW-Madison to pursue his degree in education instead of seeking to play college football. Nick started coaching football while student teaching in the Madison area. After moving to La Crosse, Nick joined the Holmen staff in 2015 and has served as a JV assistant, Varsity Assistant and is currently the Varsity Defensive Coordinator.

Chad Wedan — Special Teams Coordinator

Chad Wedan has coached at Holmen High School since 2013 after spending 9 years teaching and coaching at Oconomowoc High School in Oconomowoc, WI. Wedan coaches quarterbacks and defensive backs at the JV and Varsity level while coordinating the JV offense. Wedan also assists the Offense in the booth during varsity competitions. Throughout his time in Oconomowoc, Wedan coached wide receivers and running backs, co-coordinated the Varsity offense, and served as head coach for the Varsity Reserve and Junior Varsity teams. Wedan played safety at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse from 2000-2002 where he was a member of the 2002 WIAC Conference Championship team. Growing up in Maple, WI, Wedan helped the Northwestern High School football team to the state semifinal game in 1998.

Mike Gillespie — Varsity Assistant

Mike Gillespie has been coaching football at Holmen High School since 1998. He is a graduate of De Soto High School and earned his undergraduate and masters degree from UW-La Crosse. Mike taught Social Studies at Holmen High School from 1997 to 2019.

Craig Newsome — Varsity Assistant/Defensive

Craig Newsome has been coaching the Vikings secondary for 10 years. His experience boasts a two-time All American and 1st team Pac-10 team member at Arizona State University, and 5 year NFL veteran (1995-2000). Newsome is a Super Bowl Champion for the Green Bay Packers in Superbowl XXXI where he recorded 6 tackles and an INT in the game. He was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft and was awarded “Rookie of the Year” and named to the All-Madden Team while playing CB.

Newsome brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Holmen Vikings football program.

Master Sergeant Stan Grandt — Varsity Assistant/Leadership Development

Master Sergeant Grandt has had a distinguished career in the Army National Guard. A native of Holmen, Sergeant Grandt started coaching in Holmen in 2016. He specializes in leadership development and character building. His military deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom I, II, and Operation Iraqi Freedom VII. He has completed every level of the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System through Master Leader Course. He has completed such military specific courses as Master Leader Course, Military History Instructor Course, Battle Staff Course, Senior Leader Course, Leadership Evolution Course, Army Basic Instructor Course United States Army Drill Sergeant School, National Guard Pre Ranger Course, Basic Non Commissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, and Combat Lifesaver Course.

Cody Keenan — Varsity Assistant

Cody Keenan graduated from Holmen High School in 2006. He played football at Holmen from 2002-2005. Cody attended Winona State University and completed a sociology/criminal justice degree. He has been coaching football with Holmen since 2018.

Bob Schulz — Varsity Assistant

Bob Schulz is a veteran football coach with over 45 years of experience. Bob graduated from Logan High school in 1964 and went on to play college football at UW-River Falls. After college Bob was the head football coach at Cadott, De Soto, and Menasha. His overall football record at De Soto was is 151-51 with 12 Conference Championships (1974, 1976-1986), four undefeated seasons with playoffs (1976-1979) and six undefeated regular season (1976-1979, 1985, 1986). His teams were State Football Champs in 1976, 1983 and 1984 and runners-up in 1985 and 1986. From 1975 (the second conference game) to 1986, his teams did not lose a conference football game. In addition to coaching football, Bob has also coached basketball, wrestling, and baseball. Bob was elected to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000.

Jacob Perner — Varsity Assistant/JV Coach

Jacob Perner played football at Black River Falls High School from 2007-2010. He graduated in 2011, and went on to play collegiate football at Winona State University, and later after a transfer, at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Throughout his football career, Jake has played every skill position on offense and defense. Upon graduation from UWL, Jake taught two years at Black River Falls Middle School, and is now teaching social studies at Holmen High School.

Kalli Vandenheuval — Athletic Trainer

Kalli Vandenheuval