UMD Athletics

Kiel Fechtelkotter, a starting linebacker on both of UMD's two NCAA Division II National Football Championship teams, returned to his alma mater in the Fall of 2014 to serve as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach. In 2016-17 he became the head equipment manager along with assisting with UMD's strength and conditioning staff as he is in charge  with implementation and design for the UMD softball team.
 
The Lake Nebagamon, Wis., native was employed with the National Football League's Miami Dolphins equipment staff in 2013-14 after interning the previous year with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Fechtelkotter was a two-time All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first team selection with the Bulldogs and, as a senior in 2010, captained UMD to its second 15-0 season and second NCAA II title in three years. During his senior year, he was also an All-American 1^st selection as well as Defense Player of the Year in the NSIC. He handled a full-time starting role for three years and racked up 255 career tackles -- the ninth most in program history. His 105 stops in 2010 rank third on UMD's single-season best charts.

A 2011 graduate of UMD (Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology with a double minor in sociology and psychology), Fechtelkotter completed his Master's degree in education from UMD in 2016. He is NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as well as USAW- Level 1 Performance Coach. He and his wife, Nicole, have one daughter (Avery), and reside in Duluth.