Findlay, Ohio –University of Findlay football Head Coach Tyler Johns has announced that the hiring of the team's full-time coaching staff has been completed. The group includes a pair of coaches who have already spent time with the program and three others who are new to Findlay.
"I am incredibly proud of the staff we've put together, and I'm eager to get to work with these five men," said head coach Tyler Johns. "Each of these coaches brings a championship mindset to our sideline. They will play a pivotal role in the development of our players, and I am fully confident that together, they will help elevate Findlay football across the board."
Blaise Holzer – Offensive Coordinator
Coach Holzer comes to Findlay after three successful seasons on the coaching staff at Seton Hill University football, where he most recently served as Associate Head Coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach. During his time with the Griffins, Holzer led an offense that picked up the team's most wins in 15 years and its turned in its' first-ever winning record in PSAC West play. His offenses consistently produced all-conference talent and steady improvement, including a season with four All-PSAC West selections and an All-Region honoree, while ranking among the conference leaders in rushing and total offense.
Prior to Seton Hill, Holzer developed a reputation as a dynamic offensive mind with stops at Tiffin University football and Shorter University football, where his units ranked among the top in scoring and total offense. At Tiffin, his offense led the conference in scoring in back-to-back seasons, while at Shorter, he engineered a turnaround that included a significant increase in points per game and a 91% red zone efficiency. His coaching résumé also includes impactful stints at Missouri Valley College football and his alma mater, Ohio Dominican University football, where he helped develop multiple all-conference receivers and contributed to championship-level success as a player.
Mike Ridings – Defensive Coordinator
Coach Ridings comes to Findlay following a strong start at Campbell University football, where he served as an assistant coach working with the safeties and overseeing the Braxton Harris Football Camps. Ridings joined Campbell in spring 2024 and brought immediate experience to the defensive unit after a successful stint as defensive coordinator at Wabash College football, where he improved the team's scoring defense by 10 points per game and coached four All-NCAC performers.
Prior to Wabash, Ridings made a national impact as defensive coordinator at Keiser University football, where his defenses ranked among the NAIA's top-10 in multiple categories, including scoring defense, total defense, sacks, and passing defense. He helped guide Keiser to a semifinal and quarterfinal appearance while coaching an NAIA All-American and conference defensive player of the year. Ridings also spent time at Marian University football, contributing to three playoff runs and a national runner-up finish in 2019, earning AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year honors. An active member of the American Football Coaches Association, Ridings has been recognized for his leadership and professional development, including participation in the AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute and the NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy.
Joe Vacik – Special Teams Coordinator
A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Vacik most recently served as a Special Teams Coordinator / Outside Linebackers Coach at John Carroll University. While on staff, the Blue Streaks went 12-2 on the year and won an NCAC Championship and made it to the NCAA DIII Semifinals before being defeated by the top-ranked team in the country.
Before John Carroll, Vacik was a graduate assistant at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football, working with linebackers and special teams. In 2023, he was an assistant at University of Findlay, where he coached cornerbacks, outside linebackers, and specialists while assisting with video coordination.
Vacik previously held a graduate assistant role at Heidelberg University football and also spent time at Gannon University football. He is a 2021 graduate of Central Michigan University football, where he spent four seasons as a student assistant coach.
Anthony Gore Jr. – Defensive Line
Coach Gore, who has been on staff for two years, remains at Findlay after helping lead one of the most successful defenses in program history. He coach a defensive unit that allowed just 57.4 rush yards per game during the regular season, second-fewest in the country, and was also top-five in DII in total defense (249.7), scoring defense (12.2), and fourth down conversion defense (.267). On his defensive line was senior Londyn Claxton who was selected as the league's Defensive Lineman of the Year and Carl Biddings who was a second team all-G-MAC selection.
Before Findlay, Gore was a graduate assistant at Georgia Southern University football. He previously coached at University of Tennessee at Martin football, working with special teams and outside linebackers, and spent time at Shorter University football and Bulloch Academy in earlier roles.
A standout player at Kennesaw State University football, Gore was a three-time All-Big South selection, earning first team honors twice and being named an All-American and Big South Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. He finished his career with 275 tackles, 42.0 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, later earning all-decade honors and a professional opportunity with the Calgary Stampeders.
Dean Cullison – Offensive Line
Coach Cullison comes to Findlay after two years at Gardner-Webb where he was the Offensive Line /Co-Recruiting Coordinator. Prior to Gardner-Webb, Cullison spent the 2023 season at Ohio Dominican University football as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to that, he spent four seasons at Baldwin Wallace University football as assistant head coach, run game coordinator, and recruiting coordinator, helping develop one of the top rushing attacks in the conference and mentoring multiple all-conference performers, including a DIII All-American.
Cullison's coaching background also includes stops at Malone University football and the high school level at Upper Arlington and Bishop Ready. A graduate of Ohio Dominican University, he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in sports management.
