Holmen Football
Holmen Football

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 — Varsity Assistant

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 since 2009.  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.

First 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. 

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.

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.

Mike Gorder – Varsity Assistant

Mike Graduated From Waterloo High School, Waterloo WI. Played Football at University of Wisconsin La Crosse from 2001-2004. Graduated from University of La Crosse in 2007 with Bachelors in Science in Community Health and Minor In Nutrition.

 

Mike Durnin – Varsity Assistant

Mike is beginning his first year assisting with the Holmen HS football team after spending his career coaching, teaching, along with administration, at various colleges and universities throughout the country. Durnin began his coaching career in 1981 at Minnesota State – Mankato serving as a receiver coach for one year before moving to the defensive side of the ball as DB coach. He then moved to Yankton College (SD) where he served as Defensive Coordinator. His next move took him to the University of Puget Sound where he spent part of the time as Defensive Coordinator and then moved to Offensive Coordinator. Durnin then went to Illinois State University serving as offensive backfield coach and Special Teams coordinator. His next coaching position was with the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse where he served as DL coach and after two years also Defensive Coordinator. During this time UWL went to the NCAA playoffs four times. Durnin then was named Head Coach at Luther College. Durnin finished his coaching career as Assistant Head Coach, DL coach and Special Teams coordinator at the University of Dubuque. Durnin finished his career as Dean of Students at the University of Dubuque before retiring in January of 2023. Durnin has coached high school camps throughout the country, including Alaska, throughout his career. He has been part of numerous conference championship teams along with coaching numerous collegiate All-Conference and All-American players throughout his career.  Durnin played college football at UW – La Crosse where he played quarterback and still is in the record book for touchdown passes in a game. He has a bachelor’s degree from UWL in Physical Education and a masters degree from Minnesota State – Mankato in physical education/athletic administration. Now retired, Durnin also serves the Holmen School District as a substitute teacher, along with facilitating leadership seminars.

 

Jax Bryngelson – Varsity Assistant

Jax played football at Triton High School where he graduated in 2016. He then attended Wartburg where he played football all four years and was a part of three championship teams.

 

Ian Clear – Varsity Assistant

Ian played football at Ponderosa High School in Parker, CO. He graduated in 2018 and went on to play collegiate football at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Playing as a defensive end and long snapper he was a 3 year starter for the college and graduated in 2022. Currently he is working at Reyes Coca-Cola as an account manager in La Crosse. 

 

Nick Johnson — Freshman Coach/Varsity Assistant

Nick J. has been coaching football since 2019. A graduate from Holmen High in 2008, he is also a strength and conditioning coach for Pursuit Personal Training and owns Ironworks Training Center in Holmen.

 

Matt Rink – Varsity Assistant

Matt played football at Prairie du Chien High School from 1987-1990.  He attended University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, where he was a walk-on on the 1993 football team.  After graduating from UW-La Crosse he was a volunteer coach at Spring Grove High School in 1998.  Matt has been coaching football at Holmen since 2022. He currently works at Winona State University in their IT Department.

Scott Wiese – Varsity Assistant

Scott graduated from Harrison Central High School,Gulfport MS. A U.S.M.C (0331) he also played football for 2nd Tanks from 1994-98. He was inducted into the Minor League Hall of Fame in 2014.  Scott has been coaching football at Holmen since 2021. Scott also runs the Trench Mob Academy, coaching and playing for 20+ years

Jeff McCoy – Varsity Assistant

Mike Bramwell – Freshmen Coach/Varsity Assistant

Bob Siolka – Freshmen Coach/Varsity Assistant

Morgan Marinin – Athletic Trainer

Lauren Barnett – Manager

Kennedy Fox – Manager

Lexi Cline Manager

Miah Oehler – Manager

Logan Brown – Varsity Assistant

HS Upcoming Events

Nothing from December 4, 2024 to January 4, 2025.