DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Loras Director of Athletics Bob Quinn announced on Tuesday the selection of Steve Helminiak as head football coach. Quinn, along with a small group of administrators, unanimously approved Helminiak's selection.
Helminiak has been on staff with the Duhawks since 2011. He has served as offensive line coach and was associate head coach most recently. He served as interim head coach during the final three weeks of the 2013 season. Additionally, from 1990-2000 Helminiak was a part of the Loras coaching staff as offensive line coach (1991-97) and offensive coordinator (1998-2000). From 2006-2011 he was the head coach of Southern Oregon.
"Steve has extensive football contacts and experience. At his core, he is an excellent recruiter, teacher, role model and leader," Quinn said on Monday. "We've selected him after giving careful consideration to what our current student-athletes need and what the next generation of Loras College football seeks to achieve."
"Coach Helminiak's leadership style creates a relationship with his players that is positive and inspirational," said Dan Murray, a senior on the 2013 Duhawk offensive line and co-captain who earned All-IIAC Honorable Mention in 2013. "I have grown tremendously as a person and as an offensive lineman over the past three years. Coach is a great teacher of football and character. I'm confident he is the right person to turn the program around. As a soon-to-be alum, I'm excited to watch it unfold."
Helminiak, who is currently out on the recruiting trail, shared his thoughts.
"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, honored to be named, and humbled by the responsibility," Helminiak said. "I am extremely excited to continue working with the outstanding young men we currently have in the program and equally excited to recruit quality student-athletes that will not only help to rebuild the Loras football program, but will also contribute to our campus academically, spiritually, and socially."
Helminiak is a 1991 graduate of Loras.
