Leiss, Podzimek join Tabor Football Coaching Staff

Damon Leiss and Jeff Podzimek are the newest members of the Tabor College football coaching staff. Both will also serve as instructors of physical education.

"Through a lot of prayer and checking with references," said head coach Mike
Gottsch, "these guys surfaced as two who were highly capable and qualified,
and who were exactly what we were looking for at Tabor. I'm more than
satisfied with these two guys and what they bring to the table for us."

Leiss, originally from Southern California, played college football at
Moorpark (Calif.) College and Southern Utah State University, Cedar City,
Utah. He began his college coaching career at Ottawa (Kan.) University in
1998 where he served as running back coach. During the three years he was at
Ottawa, the offense was consistently in the top five in the nation. The
Braves were KCAC champions in 2000.

From Ottawa, Leiss went on to Emporia (Kan.) State University and served as
defensive line coach, kickers coach and recruiting coordinator. While he was
there, ESU played in the Mineral Water Bowl and was the 2003 MIAA
co-champion.

"I would like to get us back to where [the Tabor football program] was
before with [former head coaches Tim] McCarty and [Mike] Gardner and keep up
the tradition that started with them, but at the same time to produce
godliness and good character," said Leiss. "Football is more than just wins
and losses; it's a way of teaching young men how to live their lives, and
hopefully godly lives."

Leiss will begin his responsibilities as defensive coordinator July 1.
Podzimek comes to Tabor from the University of Omaha at Nebraska where he
spent last season as assistant football coach, supervising the academic
progress of student-athletes and recruiting. He was also responsible for the
development of outside linebackers and long snappers.

His coaching career began at his alma mater, University of Mary, Bismarck,
N.D., in 2000 where he served as assistant football coach. In 2003, he
became defensive coordinator at Peru (Neb.) State College, and then served
as assistant football coach at Hastings (Neb.) College from 2004 to 2006.
Podzimek will begin his responsibilities immediately.

 

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