TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University football program and Head Coach Brant McAdams have announced staffing changes for the 2025 season, promoting Zach Willis and adding Graydon Kulick as a full-time assistant coach.
 
Willis will be elevated to offensive coordinator while retaining his titles as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator while Kulick joins the program as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator while also serving as the Lutes' camp coordinator.
 
"Zach's been an integral part of our program over the last four years, bringing exceptional leadership, dedication, and expertise to our offensive line play and the growth of our offense," said McAdams.
 
"His deep understanding of our system, ability to develop players, and his commitment to the team's values make him the perfect fit to lead our offense. I've no doubt that under his leadership, we will continue to build a dynamic and high-performing unit. We're excited for this next chapter and confident in the impact he will have on our team."
 
The two changes come after Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Spencer Crace departed earlier this winter to be the head coach at Northwest Conference rival George Fox University. 
 
A 2019 Lute graduate, Willis joined his alma mater as an assistant offensive line coach prior to the 2021 season before being promoted to the recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach after the 2023 season. Offensive lineman under Willis have earned All-Conference honors 10 times over the last four seasons with the Lute front five helping the offense average 404.6 yards per game last fall, including averaging 4.4 yards per rush. 
 
"I'm excited to step into this role and I'm grateful for the trust and support from Brant and the staff. I'm excited to develop the offense that I've been coaching in for the last four years and challenge our players to continue to improve and develop," said Willis. 

"It's an honor to be in a position where I can contribute to the legacy of PLU and help guide this offense!"

Kulick will be the Lutes' quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator while also serving as the program's camp coordinator. Kulick comes to Luteville after two seasons as the quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division III powerhouse Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. While with the Johnnies, Kulick helped the program compile a 19-3 record over those two seasons, winning the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title last fall and advancing to the third round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. 
 
"We're thrilled to welcome Graydon to the PLU Football family. His passion for the game, dedication to player development, and alignment with our program's values make him the perfect addition to our staff," said McAdams.
 
"Graydon brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence that will elevate our program both on and off the field. His humility, competence, competitiveness, and authenticity are going to make an immediate and lasting impact on our student-athletes and the continued success of our program."
 
Under his watch, the 2024 Johnnies led the nation in passing yards (4,563), completion percentage (76.3), and passing touchdowns (51) while mentoring quarterback Aaron Syverson who was named a Gagliardi Trophy Finalist (the D3 Heisman Trophy) and was the Walter Camp NCAA DIII Player of the Year.

Prior to Saint John's, Kulick was an offensive assistant at Division I Northwestern University for the 2022 season. His time included working with NFL fifth round draft pick Lou Ayeni. 
 
Kulick's coaching resume also includes stints as the offensive quality control coach at Division I FCS Gardner-Webb University (N.C.) and at the high school level working at the Breck School (Minn.). 

Kulick was a quarterback in college, playing at Division I FBS Western Kentucky University and Division I FCS Davidson College. He earned his bachelor's degree in 2021 at Saint John's. 
 
PLU finished the 2024 season with a 7-3 record and a 5-2 mark in Northwest Conference play, placing third in the league standings.