After three seasons leading the defense at Colorado State-Pueblo, Caid Faske is leaving for an opportunity at the FCS level.
Sources tell FootballScoop Faske will be the new defensive coordinator at Stephen F. Austin. He spent his first season as the defensive play caller coaching the linebackers before moving to defensive ends the last few seasons.
The move for Faske comes after he led some of the top defenses at the Division II level. In his first two seasons as defensive coordinator, Faske led a defense that ranked among the top 20 nationally in multiple key categories. The 2024 campaign was an impressive one for Faske's defense, as his aggressive group finished among the top 15 nationally in sacks, tackles for loss, turnovers gained and interceptions by the end of their 10-win campaign
In his three seasons leading the defense, Faske has helped The Pack go 28-8 overall, which include four wins against top 25 programs during that time. CSU-Pueblo won eight games in his first season as defensive coordinator in 2023, followed by back-to-back seasons of 10-2 the past two seasons, and all four of those losses the past two seasons came by a touchdown or less.
The move to SFA marks a return for Faske, who prior to joining the CSU-Pueblo staff had spent five seasons on campus coaching the defensive ends. A 2019 AFCA 35 Under 35 selection, he mentored an NFL Draft pick in 5th round selection BJ Thompson, and worked with four players at his position that won all-conference honors, and two that captured All-American honors.
Faske brings prior experience in The Lone Star State as well to his new role, previously coaching the defensive ends at Texas A&M Commerce (D-II) for a total of four seasons, including their run to the 2017 national title.
He also has previous stops at North Texas as a defensive assistant and West Texas A&M (D-II), where he coached the Buffs defensive line after his playing career was cut short.
At SFA, Faske joins a program coming off an 11-3 season under Colby Carthel. Nine days ago, SFA defensive coordinator Mike Mutz was announced as the new defensive coordinator at Georgia Southern, and yesterday we shared that Lumberjacks defensive line coach Kevon Beckwith was heading to Georgia Southern with him.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.