Aberdeen, SD (NSUWolves.com) – Northern State University football coach Mike Schmidt has solidified his 2024 staff. Jordan Hein has been named the program’s offensive coordinator, while Trevor Bonifasi will take on a full-time role with the Wolves. In addition, Schmidt will take over the helm of the Northern State defense, heading into this fourth season leading the program.
“When searching for a new offensive coordinator, I had specific priorities in mind,” noted Schmidt. “I sought a coach with a proven track record of success at the collegiate level, particularly within the NSIC. It was crucial to find someone skilled in identifying, recruiting, and nurturing top-tier quarterbacks. I also desired a coach with a well-established offensive scheme, adept at effectively communicating, teaching, and evaluating their system.”
Hein joins the Northern State staff after six seasons at his alma mater, Bemidji State University. With BSU, he served as the wide receivers coach and on-campus recruiting coordinator to open his career, and most recently as the special teams coordinator, pass game coordinator, and wide receivers coach.
“I can’t thank Coach Schmidt enough for the opportunity to be the offensive coordinator at Northern State University,” explained Hein. “When I was in Aberdeen for my interview I was impressed by the resources, facilities, and community support that Northern State has. It’s on a different level to what I’m accustomed to. I’m ready to get to work and looking forward to building relationships with the players, staff, alumni, and community members of Aberdeen. Go Wolves!”
Bemidji State went 34-13 in his seasons on staff and advanced to the NCAA playoffs in each of his final three seasons. The fall of 2023 saw BSU go 9-3 overall and reach the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. In addition, the Beavers won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in 2021 and 2022.
Hein coached two All-American wide receivers at BSU and saw three school records fall including single season receiving yards, single season receptions, single season receiving touchdowns. In addition, BSU student-athletes earned ten NSIC All-Conference accolades under his direction. From 2021-23, Bemidji State ranked in the top-15 nationally in passing offense, finishing fifth in 2021, fourth in 2022, and 14th in 2023.
Schmidt added, “Beyond technical abilities, I was looking for a leader who could command the room, command the offense, and command the opportunity. Jordan Hein exemplifies all of these qualities, and I am thrilled to officially introduce him to Northern State University and the Aberdeen community.”
Off the field, Hein served as the coordinator for the BSU Football Golf Outing and team camp coordinator for multiple seasons. He coordinated the first ever golf outing and built it to a 120-golfer event. The BSU team camps from 2019-2023 featured over 1300 participants each year.
Hein played quarterback for BSU for four seasons between 2014-17 and finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and total offensive yardage. He earned NSIC All-Conference first team honors in 2016 and 2018, as was a second team selection in 2017. Hein was the first Beaver to total over 10,000 offensive yards and 100 touchdowns, closing out his career with 10,091 yards of total offense, 8,459 yards passing, and 109 touchdowns (89 passing and 20 rushing). During the 2016 season, Hein was a nominee for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top Division II football player and earned a spot on the Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-Super Region Three team. He graduated from Bemidji State in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in education.
“We are thrilled to announce that Trevor Bonifasi has officially joined our football staff in a full-time capacity after being an invaluable part of our program for the past two years, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication while working with our running backs,” explained Schmidt. “At our program, we prioritize internal promotion and are excited to see Trevor grow and succeed in this new role that he has earned and truly deserves.”
Bonifasi joined the Northern State staff in the fall of 2022, working primarily with the running backs. In the fall of 2023, Hank Kraft broke the Northern State season record for average yards per rush, notching 7.4. In addition to his on-field duties, Bonifasi served as the team’s social media coordinator, academic coordinator, and camp coordinator.
“Thank you to Coach Schmidt and Northern State for this opportunity,” noted Bonifasi. “I am grateful to continue working with our great group of student-athletes and looking forward to working with Coach Hein.”
In the 2021 season at MWSU, Bonifasi coached the MIAA Freshman of the Year and was part of an offense that finished second in the MIAA in points per game and third in rushing yards per game. From 2018-2019, Bonifasi served as a graduate assistant with the wide receivers, where the Griffons won back-to-back Live United Bowl games.
Bonifasi began his collegiate coaching career at Fort Lewis College in 2015, serving as an offensive student assistant, working with all offensive skill positions. In 2017, Bonifasi was promoted to quarterbacks coach and video coordinator.
He is a 2016 graduate of Fort Lewis College with a bachelor’s in Exercise Science – Physiology with a minor in Business Administration. In addition, he received a master’s in Sport & Fitness Management from Missouri Western State University in 2019. Bonifasi played collegiately at Fort Lewis College from 2012-2015.