The Lindenwood football team is wrapping up its spring practices this week, concluding on Thursday with its annual Spring Game at 7 p.m. at Hunter Stadium. The 15 practices gave the team a chance to prepare for the 2016 season, as well as get used to a new-look coaching staff.  The Lions currently have five new coaches on staff, including three full-time assistants.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, Marc Kolb is the team's Pass Game Coordinator and Wide Receivers coach, and Brice Carlson is the new Offensive Line coach.
 
Kolb has been a college coach for the last 21 years, including 18 as an offensive coordinator. He was most recently at Tusculum for nine seasons, where he coached two Harlon Hill finalists, and helped the team make its first NCAA playoff appearance. Carlson also has NCAA Division II playoff appearance at two different schools, including as a member of last year's West Georgia staff that advanced to the NCAA semifinals.
 
Also on offense, Austin Bell is the running backs coach, Brett Nelson is an offensive line coach, Ryan Nelson is the quarterbacks coach, and Derek Stanley is the wide receivers coach. The latter three are all returning members of the staff, while Bell was a member of the Ohio State coaching program for the past three seasons, including during the College Football Playoff National Championship season.
 
On defense, Deion Melvin returns as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and Kenny Simms is the safeties coach. Simms is also the program's new recruiting coordinator. Wade Hampton also returns to assist with the team's kicking game.
 
New members on defense are Jamie Marshall, the defensive line coach, and Bryan Baldwin, the corners coach. Marshall comes to Lindenwood from Montana State where he has served since 2007. He helped the Bobcats advance to four NCAA FCS Playoffs and win three Big Sky Conference Championships. Marshall coached two Buck Buchanan Award winners. Baldwin has been a prep coach in the St. Louis area since 2008, including coaching at Fort Zumwalt West last season. In seven seasons at the high school level, his teams have won three conference championships.
 
The Lions are led by Head Coach Patrick Ross. Ross will be in his 13th season as the Lindenwood head coach in 2016, and he is the winningest coach in program history with 87 career victories.