Bob Frey begins his first season as Tri-State University’s head football coach. Coach Frey becomes only the 2^nd coach in the history of the Thunder Football program. He comes to Tri-State from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL. During eight years as head coach at MacMurray, Frey led his team to six conference championships. For the past two seasons, MacMurray took part in the NCAA playoffs. This past season, the team finished the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record.

            Frey had been a defensive coordinator at MacMurray for four years before taking the head coaching position. In addition to his football duties, he served as head golf coach, chair of the Sport Management Program, and an instructor in sport management and physical education. He served on the Division III North Region Football Ranking Committee in 2000-2001 and was president of the Illini-Badger Football Conference in 1999 and 2000.

Frey is not a stranger to northeast Indiana. From 1988-1989, he served as assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Manchester College in North Manchester, IN. 

As an undergraduate, Frey played for Mount Union College in Alliance, OH

The new Thunder coach said he stresses performance on “all three sides of the ball:” offense, defense and special teams. He cited fundamentals as the foundation of success. “If you don’t have good fundamentals, it doesn’t matter what your X’s and O’s are,” he said.

Frey resides in Angola with his wife, Vicki, and children Mary (14), Emily (9) and Billy (8).

Steve Sigler begins his first year at Tri-State University and will serve as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. Prior to Tri-State, Sigler coached for four years at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, KY, where he started as the quarterback and wide receiver coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. He also coached for two seasons at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK. While at Panhandle State, Coach Sigler was in charge of running backs and linebackers. 

In his playing days, Coach Sigler was a starting outside linebacker at MacMurray College where he played for current Thunder head coach Bob Frey. Sigler graduated from Panhandle State University with a bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation with a minor in education. Coach Sigler and his wife, Karen, reside in Auburn, IN. 

Travis Gillespie  begins his second year as the Thunder offensive line coach.  Coach Gillespie also is the throwers coach for the Thunder Track team. Coach Gillespie has been an important part of the strength and conditioning aspect in both sports.   Prior to Tri-State, Gillespie was at Defiance College for 2 years, coaching football and track. He lives in Angola with his wife Elizabeth.