Mike Sullivan
Head Coach 
First Season
msulliva@northwood.edu
989.837.5252

Mike Sullivan became the seventh head coach in Northwood history December 7, 2007. He replaces Pat Riepma, who resigned to concentrate his efforts on his role of Athletic Director.

 

Sullivan has been at Northwood for the past eight seasons. He has served as the Associate Head Coach for the past six seasons as well as the offensive line coach. 

 

The Timberwolves offensive line continued to be a strength in 2007, as Northwood placed all five starters on the All-GLIAC teams. Dan Marshall earned First Team Honors for the second straight season, while Mitch Krombach was placed on the second team.  Alan Drummond, Luke Krombach and Aaron Seaver were all placed on the Honorable Mention team. Northwood led the GLIAC in rushing yards (284 per game) while ranking fourth in the league in total offense (441 yards per game).

 

Despite having to replace four starters on the line in 2006, Northwood’s rushing attack remained strong.  The Timberwolves finished second in the nation in rushing (264.7 yards per game) and featured a pair of All-GLIAC honorees (Dan Marshall, Luke Krombach).

NU's 2005 offensive line was one of the biggest strengths of the team. The Timberwolves featured a pair of First Team All-GLIAC honorees (Nick Degg, Mike Marko), the GLIAC Freshman of the Year (Mitch Krombach) and a Honorable Mention All-GLIAC performer (Ryan Bisson).

Sullivan comes to Northwood after holding the dual position of head football coach and athletic director at Pinconning High School in 1999. Prior to that role, he was an assistant football coach at Saginaw Valley State under former head coach Jerry Kill from 1995-99. Sullivan was SVSU’s offensive line and tight ends coach during that span. He was also the recruiting coordinator and weight training co-coordinator.

A native of Montrose, Sullivan graduated from Saginaw Valley State in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Emotional Impairment. He earned his master’s degree in special education. He and his wife Teresa have two daughters - Isabella and Adrianna.


Malen Luke
Offensive Coordinator
lukem@northwood.edu 
989.837.4298

Malen Luke is now in his second season as Northwood’s offensive coordinator.    

In his first year with the Timberwolves, Luke guided the woodbone offense to another highly successful season.  Northwood finished second in the nation in rushing yards (264.7 per game).  The Timberwolves were also one of the best teams in the country in terms of taking care of the football – NU was sixth in Division II with 14 turnovers in 11 games.  Five Timberwolves earned All-GLIAC honors after the season, including First Team honorees Torris Childs and Dan Marshall.

Luke joins Northwood after serving as the head coach at Clarion University for the past 11 seasons. He guided the Golden Eagles to 57 victories, including an 11-3 mark in 1996. That team claimed first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division (5-1) and a NCAA Playoff bid. Luke's squad made it all the way to the semifinals that season before falling to Northern Colorado 19-18. His efforts that season earned Luke PSAC Coach of the Year honors. Luke also guided the 2000 team to a PSAC-West title, finishing with a 5-1 record. His teams at Clarion averaged nearly 30 points and over 400 yards of offense per game.

Prior to his time at Clarion, Luke was the head coach at Defiance College. He posted a 37-21 record over six seasons. He turned a program that was 8-27-1 over the four seasons prior to his arrival and turned them into a power in both NAIA and Division III. Over Luke's final four seasons, Defiance went 33-7 (.825). His 37 victories remain a school record.

A native of Wellsboro, Pa., Luke graduated from Wellsboro High School in 1972 and from Westminster College in 1976.

Malen and his wife Hedy have two children – son Brock and daughter Quinn.

Tyson Silvues
Defensive Coordinator
silveust@northwood.edu
989.837.4388

Tyson Silveus is the newest member of the Northwood University football coaching staff.  He will serve as the team’s defensive coordinator, replacing Adam Gonzaga.

 

Silveus comes to Northwood after serving as the defensive coordinator at Gettysburg College for the past two seasons.  The Bullets posted nine victories the past two seasons, placing third in the Centennial Conference in 2006.

 

Prior to his time at Gettysburg, Silveus spent one season at Wingate as the defensive backs coach.  The Bulldogs posted an 8-3 mark during the 2004 season.

 

Silveus served as a high school coach for a number of years in his home state of Indiana prior to becoming a collegiate coach. 

 

An all-state football player at Tippecanoe Valley (Ind.) HS, Silveus played one year at Valparaiso University before earning a bachelor's degree in physical education from Purdue University in 1996. He received a master's degree from IPFW in 2001.

Silveus and his wife Kristin reside in Midland with their two children – son Caden and daughter Megan.

Leonard Haynes
Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
Strength and Conditioning
haynes@northwood.edu
989.837.4399

Leonard Haynes has been a mainstay on the Northwood coaching staff for the last 12 years. He will once again be in charge of the defensive line and serve as strength and conditioning coordinator as well as teh run game coordinator. In addition, Haynes monitors the team’s videography and tape distribution.

A four-year letterman who graduated from Northwood in 1994, Leonard started three seasons at defensive tackle. During his career, he posted 255 tackles with 28 tackles for losses. He registered 97 tackles and three sacks his senior year and was selected Second Team All-MIFC.

The Detroit native earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing and Management from Northwood in 1994. Haynes is also active on campus as a director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Haynes and his wife, Ayana, are parents of three children - Chinara, Jonathan and Adia – and reside in Midland.

Tom Creguer
Wide Receivers/Special Teams/Director of Football Operations
creguer@northwood.edu
989.837.4107

Tom Creguer enters his eighth season on the Northwood football coaching staff, which also marks his sixth year as a full-time coach. He works as NU’s special teams coordinator as well as coaching wide receivers, serving as the team’s recruiting coordinator and is the director of football operations. 

 

During is time at Northwood, the Timberwolves have featured a pair of All-GLIAC wide receivers in Ron Hunter and Yared Yearby despite operating an option offense.  His special teams units have scored at least one touchdown in each of the last fix seasons and blocked a total of nine kicks in 2005.

 

Creguer is a Central Michigan graduate where he was a defensive back for the 1994 Mid-American conference champions. He started for two seasons, earning First Team Academic All-MAC as a senior. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis in Math in 1995. He earned his Masters degree in Sports Administration from Central Michigan in 2004.

 

Creguer has a 25-year old adopted son, James, who is serving in the United States Marine Corps as a transportation specialist.    Creguer married Kari Rose in the summer of 2007.

Mike Gaken
Defensive Ends
gaken@northwood.edu

Mike Gaken is now in his 25th season as an assistant coach at Northwood. He has served in a number of roles during his tenure with an emphasis on defense. He currently is working with the Timberwolves' defensive ends.

The Kawkawlin resident graduated from Central Michigan University in 1973. In addition, Mike earned his Master’s degree from CMU. Gaken teaches physical education at Pinconning High School, where he is head coach of their highly successful wrestling program.

He formerly coached the Northwood softball team for three seasons and was an assistant football coach at Pinconning.

He and his wife, Judy, have two sons – Danny and Andy.