Dickinson Rounds Out Staff; Announces 2023 Schedule

Buena Vista University head football coach Austin Dickinson has rounded out his coaching staff leading into the team’s first spring practice on March 23. He is also set to announce the team’s full 2023 game schedule.

Dickinson will have a familiar face on staff this fall as Mike Adams will take over as the program’s defensive coordinator. Adams returned to campus during the fall of 2021 and has served as the team’s offensive line coach the last two seasons. In 2021, he guided an offensive line that anchored the conference’s third-leading offense in scoring, rushing and passing and also coached an all-conference offensive lineman.

“We are excited to have Mike on staff in his new role,” says Dickinson. “He has valuable experience as an alum and has great relationships with our student-athletes. Our defense will continue to improve with Mike in charge.”

Another familiar face to Northwest Iowa will work alongside Adams on the defensive side. Kamari Cotton-Moya takes over as the defensive backs coach. He served as the head football coach at Denison-Schleswig High School for two years (2021-22) and was the defensive coordinator for the annual River Battle All-Star Game in 2021.

Moya, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., was a four-year letterwinner at Iowa State (2013-17) under both Paul Rhodes and Matt Campbell. He earned Freshman First Team All-American honors and was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 for the Cyclones. He went on to be named All-Big 12 in both 2016 and 2017 and was a two-year team captain.

“Kamari brings a wealth of playing experience and unmatched enthusiasm to our defensive back’s room,” adds Dickinson. “His involvement as a high school head coach in western Iowa will be a valuable piece in our continued recruiting efforts.”

On the other side of the ball, Alex Johnson has been named the team’s offensive coordinator. He has strong ties to the region after spending the past three years at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, serving as the co-defensive coordinator with additional stops at both Minnesota State-Mankato (2018-19) and Hamline University (2017).

“I’ve worked with Alex for the last five years and I am thrilled for him to lead our offense,” says Dickinson. “He is an intelligent football coach who will put our student-athletes in the best position to be successful on and off the field.”

Joe Blitstein joins the staff as the team’s offensive line coach. He is also no stranger to the region as he comes from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill., where he was the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator last fall. Blitsein earned both his undergraduate degree (2019) and master’s degree (2022) from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He spent the 2020 season as an assistant offensive line coach with the Titans. In 2022, Blitstein was a 2022 Dream Bowl College All-Star Game starter, participated in the 2022 National Scouting Combine and was an offensive lineman for the Green Bay Blizzard. He is also a certified ACE Certified Personal Trainer.

“Joe is going to bring a ton of energy to our offensive line group,” says Dickinson. “His understanding of offensive line play is incredible, and there’s no doubt our offensive lineman will continue to grow under Joe’s leadership.”

The first-year head coach is also excited to announce his initial game schedule for this fall. Dickinson will lead the Beavers on the road to kick-off the year on September 2 at Gustavus Adolphus in a 1 p.m. contest. The following Saturday, he will make his home debut under the lights at 6 p.m. versus Lakeland University. The American Rivers Conference schedule begins on September 16 at defending A-R-C champion Wartburg College. After a bye week, the team will host Simpson College on September 30 at 1 p.m in the first conference home game. BVU is also set to host Luther College on Oct. 14 for its Homecoming/Hall of Fame Game, as well as Loras College (Oct. 28) and Nebraska Wesleyan University (Nov. 11).

The full schedule can be found at www.bvuathletics.com

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