Dan Musielewicz, Olivet's offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, has been tapped to lead the football program. Musielewicz has spent the past five seasons as a member of the Olivet College coaching staff that saw the Comets go 9-1 overall and earn a share of the MIAA championship with a 5-1 record during 2015. The nine wins were the most in school history for a season; the team tied the record in 2016, ending the season 9-2 overall and 6-0 in the conference securing the outright championship title.
Musielewicz takes over for Dan Pifer, who resigned in December to take the head coaching job at Division II Walsh.
"We are excited and very fortunate to have had the opportunity to promote from within our current staff and name Coach Dan Musielewicz the head coach of our football program. I couldn't be more pleased with his work and the great job our assistants have done, and I know he will continue to lead us in the right direction," said athletic director Ryan Shockey. "It is because of this dedication to the success of both our student-athletes and the program that Olivet College has made a multi-year commitment to Dan and his staff to ensure we continue to build off the recent success we have seen."
Musielewicz led the Comet offense during the 2015 and 2016 champion seasons, making school history yet again as the first time back-to-back championships were earned in over 100 years. Furthermore, the team secured a trip to the 2016 NCAA Division III Playoffs, the first time since 2007. From 2012, the team also increased the average number of points scored per game from 13.5 to 45.4 in 2015 and 30.7 in 2016 under Musielewicz's offense. In addition, Musielewicz's led the football program's recruiting efforts which produced nearly 100 new student-athletes each year.
"This is an incredibly exciting time for Olivet College football," said Musielewicz. "I am blessed, privileged and honored to be the new head football coach and excited to continue to build upon our success and the great football tradition we have here at Olivet College. The values that have been the foundation for our success will not change. Nothing replaces hard work in all that we do. We will do this together."
Shortly before beginning his coaching career, Musielewicz played five years of professional arena football from 2005-09. He then joined the Trine University coaching staff in 2006 as the wide receivers coach until 2011. During his time there, the Thunder won three consecutive MIAA championships. Trine also made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs, advancing to the second round in 2009 and 2010.
Musielewicz holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education, physical education and integrated science from Hillsdale College and a master's degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia-Irvine. He lives in Quincy with wife, Darcie, and children: daughter, Kendyl, and son, Davin.
"Coach Musielewicz and this staff are a great asset to our college and the athletic department," said Shockey. "I also want to thank the alumni and fans for their continued support of the program and the student-athletes for the excellent work they do on and off the field. We are extremely excited to see the what the future holds for Olivet College football."