SIOUX CITY, IA (DWUAthletics.com)— Dakota Wesleyan Football opens the season ranked ninth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference as announced by the conference office in the 2026 preseason coaches poll.

The Tigers come in ninth place out of 11 teams that compete in football in the GPAC, amassing 32 points in total on the poll. DWU returns second-team All-GPAC offensive lineman Gavin Pischke alongside fifth-year senior Cody Winslow, who is coming off a leg injury from the previous season. Honorable Mention All-Conference defensive players Carter Skogsberg and Trevor Sladky will also bolster the defense, with quarterback Jed Jenson leading the way on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers will look to build upon their 4-7 2025 campaign under the leadership of third-year head coach Alex Kretzschmar.

Dakota Wesleyan Football begins its season on Saturday, August 29th, as they travel to Madison, South Dakota, to face long-time rival Dakota State.

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

2026 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll: