When Hamline University’s football team opens camp August 11, the 40 new players won’t be the only ones who need to introduce themselves. Head coach John Pate’s staff has undergone some renovation as well.

Five new faces – including two recent alums – will be on hand – as the Pipers start preparations for the 2012 season opener September 1 at Minnesota-Morris. Returning for their second season are: Charrod Taylor (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line), Derrick Minor (Defensive Backs/Co-Special Teams Coordinator) and Charlie Hopkins (Offensive Line/Co-Special Teams Coordinator). In addition, Hopkins will serve as the Recruiting Coordinator.

The new faces to the staff come with impressive pedigrees.  Steve Lydon joins the staff as Wide Receivers coach. He handled the same job last year at Edina High School and has also worked at Augsburg and St. Olaf. Dave Hamlin will work with the linebackers. The first head football coach at Zimmerman High School, Hamlin has college experience working at St. Cloud State and Macalester. Nathan Bane will work with the Defensive Backs. For the past six years, he has been on the staff of Roseville High School. Cory Olsen (Assistant Defensive Line) and Tim Queck (Backs/Returners), who played for Pate on the 2011 Pipers team, will be making their coaching debuts this fall.

"It’s a bigger staff than we had last year,” Pate noted. “And I think we all have a better feel for what we need to do to get better. I’m looking forward to working with this group.” The Pipers will spend a week working at Klas Field and then return to Camp Ripley for four days of drills. They will hold a scrimmage at Klas against Luther August 25. The season opens a week later at Morris. MIAC play begins September 15 at Carleton. The 7:00 p.m. September 22 home opener will mark just the second HU night game ever played at Klas Field.