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Coaching StaffHead Coach Craig Rundle
Rundle, a 1974 Albion College graduate, returned to his alma mater after successful stints at the high school and collegiate levels in Michigan, California, and Colorado. He is the third Albion alum to direct the Britons' football fortunes since 1969. Rundle played for the others, Tom Taylor (1970-1972) and Frank Joranko (1973). He replaced Pete Schmidt, who in 14 seasons as Albion head coach directed teams to 104 wins, nine MIAA titles, five NCAA postseason appearances, and the 1994 Division III championship. Rundle's overall collegiate mark of 103-68-1 includes a perfect 10-0 mark in 1988 at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, California. That squad is the only undefeated athletic team in Saint Mary's history in any sport. Moving to Colorado College in 1990, Rundle quickly reversed the Tiger football fortunes. His 1993 squad finished 8-1, winning the first eight games for the only time in that school's history. Albion's 6-3 football mark in 1997 was the best for a first year head coach since Taylor posted an 8-0 record in his initial Albion campaign in 1969. Rundle then led Albion to back-to-back MIAA championships in 1998 and '99. Albion advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament in 1998. The Lansing native and former grid assistant at Central Michigan (1976) and Wayne State (1982-1984) is a member of the last graduating class (1970) at Gabriels High School, now part of Lansing Catholic Central. Rundle and wife Ann have two sons, Travis and Troy. Troy is a sophomore at Albion.
Defensive CoachesLance ColemanLance Coleman coached Albion's cornerbacks in 2004. In the spring of 2004, Coleman completed his ninth season as the associate head coach to the men's track and field program. A 1991 graduate of Albion, Coleman is among Albion's greatest track and field athletes. In addition to being named all-league four times -- twice as the most valuable athlete, he was a three-time All-American for the Britons. He still holds the Albion record in the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.71 seconds and the league record of 10.5. Coleman was also an all-MIAA athlete on the football field, where he was a member of two MIAA Championship teams. Coleman also serves as an associate director of admissions for the college. Greg PolnasekGreg Polnasek returned to Albion College in 2003 for his second stint as defensive coordinator for the Britons’ football program. Polnasek, who served as defensive coordinator, administrative assistant to the athletic director and head men’s tennis coach at Albion from 1983-87, returned after head coaching positions at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1992-95) and Colorado College (1997-2002). He also served as the defensive coordinator at Colorado College in 1996. In his first stop at Albion, Polnasek helped the Britons claim the 1985 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship. The defense yielded 269.4 yards per game that season, a figure that ranked 22nd nationally, while yielding 11.2 points per game. The Britons advanced to the NCAA Division III Playoffs, bowing to Augustana, the eventual national champion, in the first round. He left Albion to assume the positions of administrative assistant to the head football coach, recruiting coordinator, and linebackers coach at Illinois State University. In that position, he assisted head coach Jim Heacock, currently the assistant head coach at The Ohio State University, with duties involving academic eligibility, rules and compliance, as well as supervising recruiting efforts in a seven-state region. Prior to coming to Albion, Polnasek was a defensive assistant for three seasons at Bowling Green (Ohio) State University. He aided the Falcons to a Mid-American Conference championship and trip to the California Bowl in 1982 against Fresno State University. A graduate of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Polnasek received a B.A. degree in business administration in 1979. He earned a M.A. degree in sports administration from Ohio State University in 1980 and a M.A. in sports science from Bowling Green in 1981. A native of Union Grove, Wis., Polnasek graduated from Union High School in 1975, where he was the team’s most valuable player as a senior. He played defensive back at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. His wife, Nancy, is a 1976 graduate of The Ohio State University. The couple has two sons, Kevin and Brad and a daughter, Sarah. Ron ParkerRon Parker completed his 17th season as a defensive coach for the Britons, primarily working with linebackers. Under Parker's tutelage, Briton linebackers achieved all-MIAA first team status in 2001, 2002, and 2003. A 1976 graduate of Hillsdale College, where he was an all-conference football performer and two-time national qualifier in wrestling, Parker is a counselor at nearby Starr Commonwealth School. Parker and his wife, Kay Knight, have a son and two daughters. D.J. RehbergD.J. Rehberg completed his eighth season as an assistant coach in 2004. Concentrating on the linemen, Rehberg helped Glen Brittich achieve all-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association status in 2002 and 2003. In 2001, a pair of linemen (Michael Stempki and Erik Vernon) were all-league first team selections. The Dundee native was a four-year starter on the defensive line for the Britons from 1992 to 1995. He earned first team all-MIAA honors in 1993 and 1994, and second team recognition in 1995. Rehberg teaches at Springport Public Schools and is married to wife, Jeannine. Offensive CoachesPaul SchudelPaul Schudel enters his first season as the offensive line coach at Albion College. Schudel comes to Albion with 13 seasons of head coaching experience after working at Central Connecticut State University (2001-03) and Ball State University (1985-94). Schudel, who brings with him more than 30 years of college football coaching experience, also served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the University of Illinois (1995-96) and as the offensive line coach at the University of Virginia (1997-2000). During his tenure at Virginia, six of his linemen were named All-Atlantic Coast Conference. Two of those players earned All-America honors and the Cavaliers qualified for post-season bowl games three times in four seasons. Schudel earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Miami University in Ohio in 1966, where he lettered in football for three seasons. He started his coaching career at Miami as a graduate assistant while completing his Master’s Degree in educational administration. He then made coaching stops at New Hampshire, Colorado State, William and Mary, and Syracuse. He landed his first high-profile assistant coaching position in 1975, becoming the offensive line coach at the University of Michigan on the staff of legendary Wolverine coach and athletics director Bo Schembechler. He held that position for 10 seasons, helping guide the Wolverines to five Big Ten Championships and 10 post-season bowl appearances. While with Michigan he coached seven All-America selections. Schudel became the head coach for the first time at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., in 1985. He compiled a 60-48-4 record over 10 seasons, and guided his team to two Mid-American Conference Championships. He was named the MAC Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1993. Schudel left Ball State to become offensive coordinator at the University of Illinois for two seasons. While there, his offense set a school record for rushing yards in a single game. Ben PackBen Pack, a former coach at Jackson and Western High Schools, coached Albion's running backs during the 2004 season. Pack was the coach at Jackson from 1987-2002. Pack started his coaching career at Western High School in 1983 and spent four years there before taking over at Jackson. Pack works as an administrator for the Jackson Public Schools. Chris HuffChris Huff, a two-time all-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association first team selection, completed his second season as a member of Albion's coaching staff in 2004. He will assist Paul Schudel with the Britons' offensive line. A tackle, Huff helped the Britons average 398.6 yards of total offense and 30.1 points per game in 2001. He was also named to Football Gazette's all-North Region first team. Huff is married to wife, Shannon.
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Albion College ◦ Albion, Michigan
◦ 517/629-1000
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