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Move to the top: Zweifel takes Dubuque job

It has taken a while, but Stan Zweifel finally has the job that he’s always wanted.

After four moves in the past two years, Zweifel has accepted the head football coaching job at the University of Dubuque.

“This is a good opportunity for me,” Zweifel said earlier this week.

And one that took a while to arrive.

Coaching at the college level usually means you’ll have to pack your bags and move at least a few times in a career. But Zweifel hardly had time to unpack those bags since he left UW-Whitewater after the 2007 season.

Zweifel was a fixture on the Warhawks staff from 1991 to 2006 as offensive coordinator. When long-time head coach Bob Berezowitz retired after the 2006 season, Zweifel applied for the job.

Lance Leipold earned that position, and Zweifel opted not to return to the Warhawks.

He accepted the offensive coordinator post at his alma mater, UW-River Falls. That job lasted just four months, as Zweifel resigned before the season started.

He wanted to get closer to his Whitewater residence and watch his youngest son, Mark, during his senior year at Whitewater High. He became athletic director at Beloit Memorial High.

Zweifel soon got the coaching itch again, however, and resigned from the Beloit job to become the offensive coordinator at Minnesota State University-Mankato before this past season.

His ability to develop a potent offense came through again. Working under former UW-Eau Claire head coach Todd Hoffner, Zweifel’s offense helped the Mavericks earn their first NCAA Division II playoff berth since 1993.

Zweifel was happy with his job. But then an old friend called.

Dan Runkle is the University of Dubuque athletic director. Back in 1981, Runkle was the head coach at Mankato and gave Zweifel his first college coaching job.

“I have a real strong comfort zone with him,” Zweifel said. “He sought me. We did a lot of good things (at Mankato this past season) and had the entire offense coming back.”

But when Runkle called, Zweifel couldn’t pass up the shot to be a head coach. This will be his eighth different coaching job in 34 seasons of coaching—six in high school, his seventh as a college head coach and 21 years as a college offensive coordinator.

“I really wanted to be a head coach again,” the Evansville High graduate said.

Zweifel was impressed with the Dubuque campus.

“They just spent $27 million on facilities,” Zweifel said. “They have a new fitness center and a new stadium. It is a really, really, really good opportunity for me to get my own football program going.”

Zweifel will have four fulltime assistants as he attempts to improve a team that went 2-8 last season. Dubuque lost to conference champion Wartburg, 20-13. Wartburg lost to UW-Whitewater, 34-17, in an NCAA Division III quarterfinal game.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Zweifel said. “We have good facilities and a great location. I think one of my strong suits is being able to relate to high school student-athletes.”

Zweifel might have an immediate recruit that will contribute offensively. His son, Michael, is considering transferring from UW-River Falls to play for his father. Michael earned All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors his first two seasons for the Falcons, and led the league in receptions (79) and receiving yards (974) this season.

“It’s entirely going to be his decision,” his father said. “He really loves River Falls.”

But that might not be enough to sway him from the opportunity of being with his father. Moving is a common occurrence in the Zweifels’ football world.