Central Methodist University Head Football Coach Dave Brown has announced his coaching staff for 2023. 

The program welcomes Tevin Lakes (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs), Keith Willis-Auger (Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers), Mark Konopka (Offensive Line), and Lee Tenenoff (Linebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator).

Tevin Lakes

Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach

Lakes joins CMU as the Defensive coordinator after a two-year stint at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. In Lakes’ first year with the Reddies, the pass defense improved as the season progressed. Over the final five games of the regular season, HSU allowed just 175.4 passing yards per game. 

Prior to his time with HSU, Lakes coached at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator for one season. While at OPSU, Lakes helped produce a Top-5 passing defense in the NAIA and the No. 1 passing defense in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Lakes previously served as the graduate assistant coach for defensive backs at Division II member Augustana University for two seasons, reaching the DII Playoffs in his first year on staff.

Lakes’ playing career began at Mississippi Delta Community College from 2010-12 before transferring to Alcorn State and finishing at Mississippi Valley State in 2014. After his playing career, Lakes earned his Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education & Recreation in 2016 and his Masters of Science in Sports Administration in 2019 from Mississippi Valley State.   

Brown said Coach Lakes was highly recommended. “He has been a part of successful programs at every step of his career. His passion for the game, ability to teach, and attention to detail make him a great fit for what we’re building here at Central.”

Keith Willis-Auger

Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Willis-Auger comes to CMU after serving as an offensive graduate assistant coach at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Willis-Auger played college ball at Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska, for two seasons before finishing his playing career at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. He has experience on the professional level, having played for the Northern Sydney Rebels in Australia.

“Keith is someone I’ve gotten to know over the last couple of years, and I was just waiting for the opportunity to be able to work with him,” said Coach Brown. His energy and ability to relate to our players will have an immediate impact on our program.”

Mark Konopka

Offensive Line Coach

Konopka comes to CMU with more than 25 years of experience as an offensive line, tight ends, and strength and conditioning coach at the high school, NAIA, and NCAA levels. He most recently served as the offensive line coach at Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan. 

Konopka was a standout offensive lineman for Iowa State University for four seasons, where he was named an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection. He graduated from the University in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Science. 

Konopka spent two years in the late 90s playing in the Arena Football League for the Florida Bobcats and Iowa Barnstormers.

Coach Brown said he has known Knopka for years and is excited to finally get to work with him. “Mark brings valuable experience to our staff. His playing career speaks for itself, and he’s been able to share that knowledge and experience with his players ever since.”

Lee Tenenoff

Linebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator

Tenenoff joins CMU after serving as the Defensive Coordinator at Briar Cliff University. He previously spent three seasons at Illinois College, coordinating the team’s defense and recruiting efforts. He also led the linebackers unit. Overall, eight athletes under Tenenoff’s direction earned All-Midwest conference honors. 

In 2019, Tenenoff’s defense led the conference in pass defense and held opposing quarterbacks to just 123.2 passing yards per contest. In addition, the Blueboy defense ranked in the top three in the conference in total defense, interceptions, and takeaways. 

 Tenenoff also has coaching stops at Wisconsin Lutheran and Southwest Minnesota State. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biokinetics from Bethel University and a master’s in leadership and innovation from Wisconsin Lutheran. 

“Lee brings a great skillset to our staff and our program. His experience as a Defensive Coordinator, as well as a Recruiting Coordinator, will have an influence on every aspect of our program,” Brown said.

Shawn Simmons

Graduate Assistant/Running Backs Coach

Simmons will remain on staff as a graduate assistant and the Running Backs Coach for the football program in 2023. He served as a crucial piece to the program during the transition from coaching staffs, managing both the Eagles’ academic and strength and conditioning programs.

Simmons played for CMU for three seasons as a running back. While with the Eagles, he helped lead the program to their first-ever Heart Conference Championship and a berth into the NAIA-FCS playoffs in 2021.

“We are excited to be able to keep Shawn on staff this season. I have heard a lot of great things about him when I got to campus, and he’s lived up to all of it.”

Mackenzie Karim 

Graduate Assistant

Fellow graduate assistant Mackenzie Karim will finish up her time on staff this spring before transitioning to an athletic administration graduate assistant position this fall in conjunction with completing her master’s degree.