Zach Opsal joined the Ave Maria football program's coaching staff in Spring 2014 as the special teams/video coordinator. Previously, Opsal was a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois University.
Opsal, a native of Verona, Wisc., received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in 2011 before earning his graduate degree from Northern Illinois in 2013.
As a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois, Coach Opsal assisted in weekly special teams breakdowns, scouting reports and scout team work. He also coached the kickers, punters, and long snappers as well as worked with the tight ends. During his time at Northern Illinois, the Huskies compiled a three-year record of 35-7 with two MAC Championships and appearances in the 2012 Go Daddy Bowl, the 2013 Orange Bowl and the 2013 Poinsettia Bowl.
At Wisconsin, Opsal was a long snapper for the Badgers from 2007-09 before working as a student assistant from 2009-11. His responsibilities included weekly special teams breakdowns and scouting reports. Opsal was part of the staff that helped the Badgers to the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl, the 2010 Big Ten Conference Championship, and the 2011 Rose Bowl.
