Marquette, MI – January 7th, 2026 – Northern Michigan University underwent significant changes within its football program late last season. In early November, head coach Shane Richardson and offensive line coach Joe Gatz were placed on administrative leave. Shortly thereafter, Richardson stepped down from his position as head coach. Assistant coach Billy Lindquist was named interim head coach and successfully guided the Wildcats through the final two games of the season, winning both contests.
Earlier this week, Northern Michigan officially announced the hiring of its 24th head football coach, Matt Janus. Per an article posted by NMU, Janus expressed enthusiasm following his appointment, saying, “My family and I are beyond thrilled to be joining the Wildcat family and the Marquette community. It’s amazing in life the paths you go on, and those paths — after some twists and turns — eventually led me here to Northern Michigan.”
Janus brings an accomplished coaching resume to Marquette. He played football at Wisconsin–Platteville from 2006 to 2009 and served as a team captain during his final two seasons. He began his coaching career in 2010 as a graduate assistant before becoming the defensive coordinator at Sheboygan Falls High School in Wisconsin from 2011 to 2013.
Janus later returned to Wisconsin–Platteville, coaching the defensive line for two seasons before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2016. In 2017, he assumed full responsibility as defensive coordinator, a position he held through the 2019 season.
His first head coaching opportunity came at Wisconsin–La Crosse, where he spent the past six seasons transforming the Eagles into one of Division III’s premier programs. Janus compiled a 45–14 overall record and a 29–6 conference mark, leading the team to five consecutive NCAA Division III playoff appearances. Under his leadership, Wisconsin–La Crosse captured Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championships in both 2022 and 2023, including an undefeated 7–0 conference season in 2023, the program’s first, outright league title since 2004.
Also from the NMU site, Northern Michigan Athletic Director Rick Comley praised the hire, stating, “Matt brings excellent leadership and a proven record of success. He will build an outstanding staff and enhance our returning players as we continue working to re-establish the proud tradition of Wildcat football.”
Janus went on to emphasized culture and experience as pillars of his vision for the program. “We will UP the experience of our student-athletes,” he said. “Northern Michigan, this athletic department, and the city of Marquette create the trifecta of what the college experience should be. Stay Yooper. Go Cats!”
