Aberdeen, S.D. – Northern State University head football coach,
Mike Schmidt announced today additions and promotions for his staff heading into the 2022 season.
Sam Chilsen will remain on staff, moving into a full time role, while Jason Glasco, Trevor Bonifasi, and Jimmie Hunt will join the program.
"We've been very fortunate to keep some of our young coaches on staff," noted Schmidt. "Coach Chilsen has been a right-hand-man for me over the past four years. I don't know what we would do without him. The additions of Coach Bonifasi and Coach Hunt are paramount to the development of our football program. Adding guys with the experiences like they have cannot be understated."
Chilsen moves into a full-time role with the Northern State tight ends as he wraps up his graduate assistantship and master's degree at Northern State. Prior to arriving in Aberdeen, he spent the previous two seasons as an offensive assistant at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Chilsen assisted an offensive unit that ranked second in the WIAC in scoring offense in 2018 and led the WIAC in total offense and scoring offense in 2019.
Chilsen began his coaching career as an undergraduate assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire from 2014-18. During his tenure with the Blugolds, Chilsen worked with the linebackers while assisting with film breakdown, scout offense and special teams, video coordination, and on-campus recruiting.
An Onalaska, Wisconsin native, Chilsen earned a bachelor's of Business Administration in information systems from the UW – Eau Claire in 2018 and his masters of Sport Performance and Leadership from Northern State.
Glasco joins the Wolves staff as a defensive backs coach. He spent the previous three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Presentation College. Glasco opened his career as the defensive backs coach at the University of Sioux Falls before spending eight seasons with Dakota Wesleyan University.
"I have watched Coach Glasco work over the past few years," explained Schmidt. "I have always been impressed with his defenses and how well they were coached. He knows Aberdeen and he knows South Dakota. He's a great coach and a great recruiter."
With the Tigers, Glasco served as a graduate assistant, recruiting coordinator, and special team's coordinator. He led the third ranked punt return unit in 2016 and coached 21 All-GPAC linebackers, two All-American linebackers, and an All-American punter in his DWU career.
Glasco played collegiately for NSIC foe the University of Sioux Falls, where he was a 3-year starter, 3-time All-GPAC honoree, and All-America Honorable Mention recipient. He was a member of the 2006 National Championship team and received his bachelor's degree in exercise science in 2007. In addition, Glasco received his master's degree in educational policy and administration from Dakota Wesleyan in 2012.
Trevor Bonifasi will lead the Wolves running backs. Prior to joining Northern State, he served two seasons with Missouri Western State University as the running backs coach, recruiting coordinator, and camp coordinator.
In the 2021 season at MWSU, Bonifasi coached the MIAA Freshman of the Year and was part of an offense that finished second in the MIAA in points per game and third in rushing yards per game. From 2018-2019, Bonifasi served as a graduate assistant with the wide receivers, where the Griffons won back-to-back Live United Bowl games.
Bonifasi began his collegiate coaching career at Fort Lewis College in 2015, serving as an offensive student assistant, working with all offensive skill positions. In 2017, Bonifasi was promoted to quarterbacks coach and video coordinator.
He is a 2016 graduate of Fort Lewis College with a bachelor's in Exercise Science - Physiology with a minor in Business Administration. In addition, he received a master's in Sport & Fitness Management from Missouri Western State University in 2019. Bonifasi played collegiately at Fort Lewis College from 2012-2015.
Hunt will coach the Northern State wide receivers. A former Division I student-athlete with the University of Missouri, Hunt appeared in 38 games for the Tigers, notching 1,150 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. In addition, he was a drafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers.
