The Mavericks finished the 2021 season with an 8-2 record, their best mark since 2017. Coach Tremaine Jackson and Colorado Mesa University (CMU) parted ways, and CMU hired their 20th football coach in program history, Miles Kochevar.
Kochevar, a Grand Valley native, is going into his second coaching stint with CMU football. Kochevar served as defensive backs coach in 2007 as a part of Joe Ramunno’s staff. Kochevar moved up to the pass defense coordinator position and special teams coach until 2011. Kochevar then accrued Division I coaching experience by coaching safeties for his alma mater, Colorado State University.
Kochevar bounced around a couple of schools, before being hired into his first head coaching job with CMU. He spent time at Humboldt State, Northern Colorado University, and West Texas A&M, where he worked as the defensive coordinator.
Kochevar returned to Colorado in 2020, where he was hired to be the defensive coordinator for CMU rival Colorado State University Pueblo. Kochevar’s defensive prowess was on full display when he held CMU to just 13 points in a double overtime win for the Thunderwolves.
With Coach Jackson’s departure, a significant amount of players and staff transferred or left this off season. Kochevar chose his current staff by observing coaches who he thought were good teachers during his previous coaching gigs. Coach Kochevar was forced to hit the recruiting trail and build his staff right out of the gates.
“We went out and we wanted to still identify some solid Colorado kids who we could get in here. We were able to go and find a good number of freshmen. I think we ended up with 37, so it’s been nonstop since February… So then we also went out and got about 20 transfer guys, whether it was [from a] junior college or four-year guys that we could hopefully plug in right away. We actually have a young man from Barcelona, Spain. So, we went worldwide this year,” Kochevar said.
Change will be evident, but the Mavericks return redshirt sophomore quarterback Karst Hunter, following his record breaking freshman campaign. Hunter set the Maverick all-time single season records in passing yards and completion percentage.
“I was in the same position last year, being a transfer, being the new guy. But, building off of last season, I feel more comfortable and confident back there. I just need to play football and be the leader for my teammates,” Hunter said.
Skill positions will be up for grabs, as Hunter will have almost a whole new receiving core. However, the Maverick return redshirt senior tight end Dagan Rienks, who was a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) second team. The Mavericks also have a new look running back room led by redshirt senior Isaac Maestas.
“It’s about knowing the standard as a core group and then it translates to the transfers and the freshmen coming in. We had almost 70 guys come out for player-led practices, which was great. We’re bonding well, getting to know each other. So, that’s been a good thing for us,” Maestas said.
Senior linebacker Siaosi Finau and sophomore linebacker Kaden Stewart are a returning part of a defense that averaged just 15.60 points scored against, ranking 13th in the nation. Finau is a proven starter who finished third last year in tackles, while Stewart will be looking to capitalize on more on-field opportunities this season, following an impactful freshman year. Graduate student Scrappy Norman will be the leader in the secondary for the defense this year.
“We’re going to be flying to the ball and we are going to be a swarming defense. No matter what happens, what goes on, we’re gonna play 110 miles per hour. That’s our identity: playing hard, hitting fast, always running and just being a physical and fast defense,” Norman said.
The Mavericks won their first game against William Jewell College 37-14. Their home opener will be against South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Saturday Sept. 17 at Stocker Stadium
