FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 12, 2026) – Northern Arizona head football coach
Brian Wright is proud to announce the additions of
Trenton Greene and
Preston Mays to his coaching staff. Greene will serve as defensive coordinator, while coaching the safeties, and Mays will coach the running backs.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach
Trenton Greene and Coach
Preston Mays to the Lumberjack family," Wright said. "Their addition to our staff will play a major role in strengthening our culture, raising our standards and continuing to grow what we're building here in Flagstaff."
Greene heads to Flagstaff following an FCS national championship season in Bozeman, Mont. where he served as Montana State's cornerbacks coach. Greene was part of a defensive staff that helped the Bobcats rattle off 14 consecutive wins and win the program's first national championship since 1984.
Montana State led the Big Sky in scoring defense (19.0) and passing efficiency defense (118.11), both of which ranked in the top 15 in the FCS. The Bobcats also allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game (210.0) in the Big Sky.
"Coach Greene's recent National Championship success at Montana State speaks volumes about his ability to lead, develop players and win at the highest level," Wright said. "He has the elite mindset we want here in Flagstaff."
Greene brings a well-versed defensive coaching background to his first coordinator role. Prior to coaching the corners at Montana State, Greene was the safeties coach at Missouri Southern State in 2024 and began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant working with the linebackers at Syracuse from 2017-19. Greene also has coaching stops as a defensive analyst at Arizona State (2023) and Washington State (2022) and quality control coach at Nevada in 2021.
As a linebacker at Bowling Green, Greene was a two-time Second Team All-MAC honoree and served as team captain during his senior season in 2016. Greene ranked 28th nationally with 111 tackles that season and recorded 127 tackles in 2015, a season in which Bowling Green won the MAC title.
"I'm excited to join the NAU Family and be part of this program," Greene said. "We will build a tough, physical identity that Lumberjack Nation can be proud of."
Mays will assume his first collegiate coaching position following six years at the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado. Originally hired as running backs coach in 2019, Mays was elevated to offensive coordinator in 2021. In his four seasons as offensive coordinator, the team averaged 35 points per game.
While at the Air Force Academy Prep, Mays coached four players who would go on to play for the Air Force Academy including quarterbacks Quentin Hayes and John Busha, running back Lee Eldridge III and running back/linebacker Johnathan Youngblood.
Mays also has extensive high school coaching experience, including serving as head coach of the Youngstown East High School varsity team in Youngstown, Ohio from 2013-15.
"Coach Mays has a strong history of developing and teaching athletes the right way, with a proven ability to build trust, fundamentals and long-term growth," Wright said. "Preston and I have had a long-standing relationship, dating back to his time playing for me at Youngstown State. It's special to have the opportunity for us to come back together here at NAU."
Mays was inducted into the Youngstown State Hall of Fame in 2012 after a standout playing career. Mays was a second team All-American as a senior in 2002 and two-time Missouri Valley Football Conference first team selection. The first Youngstown State player to be named MVFC Offensive Player of the Year in 2001, Mays rushed for 3,511 yards on 666 carries and scored 42 rushing touchdowns, the last of which still ranks fourth in school history. His final two seasons overlapped with Wright, who coached Youngstown State's quarterbacks from 2001-02.
"It is an honor and a pleasure to be part of the Lumberjack Family," Mays said. "I am excited to continue building the championship culture here at NAU."
Stay up to date with Northern Arizona football by following the Lumberjacks on
X and
Instagram.
