FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (July 22, 2021) – Reaching back into his extensive network of assistant coaches, Northern Arizona head coach
Chris Ball named
Dave Ungerer as the program's new special teams coordinator and running backs coach.
Ungerer and Ball coached together on two occasions, first for Alabama from 2003 to 2007 and again for Washington State from 2010 to 2011. With more than 30 years of coaching experience, much of it has been spent on special teams after first coaching the group in 1988 for Holy Cross.
"I laugh because we kind of talked about this when we were together as assistants, that this would happen at some point," Ungerer said. "He had a really burning desire to be a head coach and so it finally happened and I think we're both really excited about it."
Ungerer and Ball's families grew close during their time together in Tuscaloosa, building up their relationship on and off the field.
"I think we became really good friends because I think we see coaching very similar as far as making a difference in young people's lives," Ungerer said. "I think we're both highly competitive. I think we love the game of football. The thing that always impressed me about Chris was that he's so positive, he doesn't really talk in any part of his life about anything negative."
From there, Ungerer held special teams coordinator jobs at multiple Power Five programs, including Maryland, Cal and Oregon State in addition to Alabama and Washington State. While with the Crimson Tide, Ungerer also coached tight ends before moving back to running backs with the Cougars.
Ungerer also spent three years as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach for Utah State, as well as a season in the same role at Fresno State. Most recently, Ungerer spent three seasons as a special teams analyst for Missouri.
"When I was a young coach starting out, the people that I looked up to and the mentors I had told me to try to have as many skill sets as you can," Ungerer said. "I've always just had a very strong passion for special teams and it has such a big influence on the game both positively and if you don't execute negatively."
Ungerer has found plenty of success with his special teams units at many of his coaching stops. While at Alabama, Ungerer's special teams unit blocked 13 kicks across four seasons and Utah State finished the 2013 season as the No. 1 overall coverage unit in the nation.
During his time at Oregon State, Ungerer recruited and coached future NFL punters Johnny Hekker and Ryan Allen who would eventually face one another in Super Bowl LIII. Ungerer also helped recruit Aaron Rodgers from Butte Community College while at Cal.
In Flagstaff, Ungerer inherits All-Americans
Luis Aguilar and
DJ Arnson at kicker and punter respectively as well as
Justin Hathoot who has served as the program's primary long snapper since 2018 and earned All-Big Sky honors during his career.
With Ungerer also set to lead the running backs group, with
Draycen Hall and
George Robinson leading a large contingent of underclassmen, the veteran coach also reunites with
Bob Connelly after the two worked together at Alabama as well. With Ungerer leading the tight ends and Connelly coaching the offensive line, the two worked closely together for the Crimson Tide.
Once again, with Connelly serving as NAU's run-game coordinator and offensive line coach, he and Ungerer will work closely together leading the Lumberjack's backfield and ground attack.
"I feel good about the talent that I have been blessed with here and the people. Chris and Bob being here is a huge plus and so far my time in Flagstaff has been really great. There's some familiarity to everything for me, which hasn't always been the case."
