BISMARCK, ND – University of Mary head football coach Craig Bagnell has added a pair of new assistant coaches to the Marauders program. Alex Kastens, a defensive line coach, joins University of Mary after coaching the past five seasons at Carroll College. Mitchell White, a former professional football player, will coach defensive backs for UMary.
 
"We are excited to have Alex and Mitchell joining our staff here with Marauders Football," said Bagnell. "Listening to both Alex and Mitchell, they have a love for the game, building relationships, and getting their scholars-athletes in the best position to be successful."
 
A former All-Conference player with the Saints, Kastens originally joined the Carroll coaching staff in spring 2015 as an assistant offensive line and tight ends coach before taking over as the defensive line coach in 2016. During his three seasons on defense, Kastens coached a trio of All-Conference performers and the Saints topped the Frontier Conference defensive leaderboard in several categories. He moved back to the offensive line in 2019 and the Saints finished 1^st in the conference and 10^th in the country for fewest sacks allowed as three linemen earned all-conference honors. At Carroll, he also served as the head strength and conditioning coach.
 
Kastens, who twice won First Team All-Conference honors (2013, 2014) and was named Academic All-Conference in 2014, was a two-year team captain and a three-year starter at center. He graduated from Carroll College in 2015 with a degree in history and political science.
 
"Coach Kastens brings a wealth of knowledge to our program with his experience working alongside Coach Mike Van Diest at Carroll College," said Bagnell. "He was a great offensive lineman for the Saints who transitioned to coaching the defensive line. The experience of playing on the other side of the ball and how offensive lines will operate will help our defensive front continue to grow. Alex is a high-energy guy who understands recruiting and how to get the best out of his players."
 
Following a six-year professional football career that included winning a pair of Canadian Football League (CFL) Grey Cup championships, White has spent the last two seasons as a coach. He began his coaching career in 2018 as a defensive assistant for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, where he worked with a pair of all-star selections. In 2019 he joined the University of Findlay football staff as cornerbacks coach. The Oilers ranked in the top 25 of NCAA Division II in turnovers gained on a team that had three defensive backs earn All-Conference honors.
 
A former walk-on at Michigan State University(MSU), White was a four-year letterman who played on the 2010 Big Ten championship team. In 43 games between 2009 and 2012, he made 26 tackles while primarily playing on special teams. He was also a letterman in track and field and graduated with a  Human Resources in Economics degree from MSU in 2012.
 
After college, White signed with the Oakland Raiders but was released towards the end of the 2013 preseason. He then joined the Alouettes for three seasons (2013-15), playing in 28 games and recording 59 tackles and an interception, while advancing to the Grey Cup playoffs in 2014. In 2016, he earned CFL East All-Star honors and won a Grey Cup championship for the Ottawa Redblacks. White would then have another shot at the NFL when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was released prior to the 2017 regular season. Shortly after signing with  the Toronto Argonauts, he intercepted three passes in six regular season games before starting in the Argos Grey Cup championship victory. White wrapped up his professional career with the Alouettes during the 2018 season and began coaching.
 
"Coach White has a tremendous amount of experience playing the defensive back position at Michigan State and professionally in the NFL and CFL," said Bagnell. "He had a great opportunity to work with Montreal after he was done playing and did a great job at the University of Findlay this past year. Mitchell is a very positive guy who will be able to teach the details of playing in the back half of our defense. He is a guy that can own a room and will do a tremendous job with our guys." 

Kastens and White replace Matthew Splon and Tristian Johnson, who left to pursue other endeavors.
 
#marauders#