SFU adds three full-time coaches

BURNABY, BC – Simon Fraser University head football coach Thomas Ford announced today the addition of three full-time coaches to the program, naming Taylor Summers defensive coordinator, James Holan offensive coordinator and Mike Rigell special teams coach and recruiting coordinator.

Taylor Summers, defensive coordinator

Summers joins Simon Fraser from 2017 Washington 3A State Champion O’Dea High School where he was defensive line coach. Summers also coached in the NCAA at Division II University of Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State, with extensive recruiting experience in the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to being offensive coordinator, Summers will be responsible for the defensive line with the Clan.

In two seasons at UMC, Summers coached quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs and special teams after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant for Bemidji State University (BSU)

Summers came to BSU after serving two seasons as assistant varsity coach at Eastlake High School in his hometown of Sammamish, Wash. At Eastlake, he worked with the linebackers, wide receivers and was the junior varsity offensive coordinator. Summers helped guide the Wolves to a 19-5 record and two appearances in the state tournament, including a quarterfinal finish in 2011.

Prior to working at Eastlake, Summers served as defensive line coach at his alma mater, Linfield College, an NCAA Division III school located in McMinnville, Ore. Summers helped the Wildcats to a 12-1 finish in 2009 and an appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament, where they advanced to the semi-finals.

Summers was a three-time all-conference defensive lineman at Linfield. As a senior captain, he was named D3Football.com All-Region and conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his career fifth all-time in sacks at Linfield.

Summers earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Linfield College in 2008 and a master’s degree in education at Bemidji State University.

James Holan, offensive coordinator

Holan joins the Clan from Piedmont High School in Piedmont, California where he was head coach and program coordinator the past three seasons, leading the team to the NCS playoffs three straight seasons and a 24-13 overall record. Holan served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator his first two years at Piedmont. In 2014, the team went 12-1 with the most wins in one season in school history and the first undefeated regular season in 30 years.

In addition to being defensive coordinator, Holan will also be responsible for the offensive line with the Clan.

Prior to coaching at Piedmont High School, Holan spent four seasons (2009-2012) as co-offensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, California.

Holan was an offensive lineman on the 2004 national champion Linfield College team, where he was a student-athlete from 2002 to 2006. Linfield won four NWC Championships during that time.

Holan also spent one season coaching the offensive line at College of Marin in 2008.

Mike Rigell, special teams coach and recruiting coordinator

Rigell, a former standout at Brigham Young University, will take on the role of special teams coach and recruiting coordinator at Simon Fraser. He joins the Clan after two seasons as secondary coach/special teams coordinator at Southern Virginia University, an NCAA Division III university.

Rigell holds a bachelor’s of arts degree from Brigham Young University where he was a wide receiver and punt/kick return specialist. Rigell also played professionally in the Arena Football League from 2003-2006 with Utah Warriors, Tri-Cities Fever, and Rapid City Aces.

Rigell served as the special teams coordinator and running backs/receivers coach at Snow College (2014-16) and the University of Puget Sound (2013-14).He filled similar roles at New Mexico Highlands in 2012 and at Idaho State in 2011. From there Rigell coached at New Mexico Highlands University, and then worked with the Kansas City Chiefs on a Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship.

Rigell began his coaching career at Interlake High School in Bellevue, Wash.

Source: Steve Frost, SFU Sports Information Director