KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan football head coach Lance Taylor has announced new staff hirings and promotions ahead of the 2026 season.

Louis Colosimo has been named Director of Football Operations, with Carson Kipp joining the program as an Assistant Strength Coach. Former Bronco tight end Chris Toudle has been named and Offensive Analyst, while Bethany van der Lek has been hired on as the Director of Football Equipment. Former Bronco Race Stewart has also been named a Strength and Conditioning Analyst.

Colosimo joins the Broncos after a season as the Director of Football Operations and Player Personnel at Davidson. Colosimo also has coaching experience in Europe with the Verona Mastini in Italy and the Søllerød Gold Diggers in Demark. He played quarterback at Davidson, leading the Wildcats to a Pioneer Football League Championship back in 2021. Colosimo earned a degree in Economics from there in 2021.

Carson Kipp brings extensive experience as a strength and conditioning coach, serving in an assistant role at Eastern Kentucky, Washington and Boise State. Kipp served in the United States Army from 2017-2020 before enrolling at BSU and earning a degree in Health Studies.

Toudle played tight end at WMU during the 2024 season, playing in seven games, recording eight catches for 81 yards and one touchdown. Toudle helped the Broncos reach the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl against Southern Alabama. He spent last season as a volunteer assistant with the team.

van der Lek becomes the first female head equipment manager in the history of WMU Football. She joins the Broncos after spending two years at Northern Illinois. At NIU she assisted with the football program and oversaw the equipment needs for the wrestling, gymnastics, baseball and softball teams. van der Lek also spent a year interning at the University of Delaware, where she worked mainly with the football program. van der Lek also got experience at the highest level, serving as a Training Camp Intern with the Minnesota Vikings. She worked with the offensive line, tight ends, and special teams during practices, helping set up and tear down equipment along with assisting daily equipment needs. She worked as a student equipment manager at Kansas State, where she earned a degree in Sociology and Criminology. 

Stewart joins the staff after one season with the Broncos. He transferred from Indiana ahead of the 2025 season, playing defensive line on the MAC Championship team. 

Taylor has also announced the following promotions:
Lee Menefee - General Manager/Director of Recruiting/Associate AD for Football
Ethan Brenes - Director of Defense Recruiting
Drew Moulton - Tight Ends Coach/Pass Game Coordinator
Nick Coleman - Cornerbacks Coach/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
Joe Pawlak - Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator
Will Kirkendall - Nickels Coach
Pat Gannon - Associate Special Teams Coordinator
Joe Jenrette - Director of Sports Science/Assistant Strength Coach
Ben Fiest - Defensive Analyst
James Dabu - Assistant Director of Football Equipment