Football Announces 2026 Coaching Staff

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago football team has announced their updated coaching staff for the 2026 season.

Erik Karlson will move into the role of Defensive Coordinator in his second year on the staff, and he will transition from coaching the defensive line to the inside linebackers.

Jacob Santos has been elevated to the Special Teams Coordinaor and defensive backs coach after serving as an offensive assistant for the past two seasons with the Maroons.

Carlos Jones will return to the offensive side of the ball as the running backs coach for the Maroons. Jones previously coached the running back group before moving to the defensive side of the ball last season.

Joe Shilts will move from linebackers to cornerbacks in his second year on the coaching staff. The lone addition to the UChicago coaching staff is

Jacob Engleton who will be assisting with the defensive line in his first season with the Maroons.

The remainder of the UChicago coaching staff will return to their same roles as last season.

Craig Knoche - Head Coach/Quarterbacks

Dan Gallagher - Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends

Zach Farber - Wide Receivers

Rich Kersten - Defensive Line

John Lizak - Offensive Line

Jacob Mooney - Assistant Offensive Line

Shawn Shine - Outside Linebackers

The Maroons will kick off their spring ball season on Monday, April 13. The team will open its 2026 campaign on Thursday, September 3 as the Maroons travel to Angola, Indiana to battle the Trine Thunder.