Jake Munkwitz joined the Concordia coaching staff in 2016 as a graduate assistant, and has earned multiple promotions since. He enters the 2021 season as the recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator and linebackers coach on the staff.
After working as the team's run defense coordinator in 2016, Munkwitz was moved into the special teams coordinator position following his first season on staff, and earned the recruiting coordinator duties prior to his second season in 2017.
He made an immediate impact on special teams, as the team's punt unit led the Northern Sun in punt average, ranked third in net punting, led the NSIC in fewest kickoff return yards against and led NCAA Division II in kickoff touchback percentage in 2017. The 2018 squad was ranked third in the Northern Sun in fewest kickoff return yards allowed and fourth in the league in net punting.
He coached the NSIC's All-Conference punter, Sam Maedke as well as a two-time Fred Mitchell Award national finalist and All-America kicker, Jonas Schenderlein.
From a recruitment standpoint, entering the 2021 season, the Golden Bear football program has reached 110 student-athletes for a fourth consecutive season.
In the summers of 2018 and 2019, Munkwitz added national experience to his background as he coached the USA Football U14 National Team. In 2018, he was coached the U14 Stars to a 28-14 win over the U14 Stripes and in 2019 he was elevated to defensive coordinator, leading the U14 Stars to a 28-7 win over the U14 Courage in the games played at The Star in Frisco, Texas - headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys.
As a player, Munkwitz saw action in 31 games as a Golden Bear, playing primarily tight end/h-back roles. He finished with nine catches for 78 yards and a touchdown and also contributed on multiple special teams formations throughout his career. His career-high performance came as a senior, hauling in five catches for 53 yards and a 16 yard touchdown against Southwest Minnesota State (11/7/15).
The Glenwood City, Wisconsin native was a three-time NSIC All-Academic student-athlete and earned the ADA Academic Achievement Award. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in exercise science and completed a master's degree in sport management. His Concordia roots run deep, with his father, Jim Munkwitz playing football at Concordia (1977-80) and his sister, Frankie Munkwitz playing on the softball team (2013-16).
Jake resides in Woodbury with his wife, Whitney.
