Stetson University Athletics

Mike Jasper was named the 11th head coach in Stetson Football history and the third of the program's modern era on Dec. 20, 2024… A former NFL offensive lineman and championship-winning collegiate head coach, Jasper came to DeLand after six seasons leading his alma mater, Bethel University. Jasper brought a 44-20 head coaching record to Stetson after building Bethel into a nationally competitive NAIA program… His tenure included a conference championship, consecutive 11-win seasons, the first undefeated regular season in program history and multiple NAIA playoff appearances. In his first season leading the Hatters, Jasper guided Stetson to consecutive Pioneer Football League victories for the first time since 2019… The breakthrough stretch included a program-record 384 rushing yards in a 35-32 victory over Davidson and a 21-14 win over Morehead State the following week. Jasper took over the Stetson program ahead of the 2025 season with an emphasis on rebuilding the program's foundation, developing student-athletes and establishing a competitive identity on and off the field. Progress became evident during the middle of his first season as Stetson broke through in Pioneer Football League play… The Hatters defeated Davidson and Morehead State in consecutive weeks, producing the program's first back-to-back conference victories since 2019. The Davidson victory also ended a PFL winless stretch dating back to Oct. 7, 2023 and featured the most prolific rushing performance in Stetson Football history. Jasper's first season at Stetson produced a significant breakthrough in conference play during October. On Oct. 4, the Hatters defeated Davidson, 35-32, behind a program-record 384 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns… The victory was Stetson's first Pioneer Football League win since Oct. 7, 2023 and its first home PFL victory since 2022. Quarterback Chris Stephenson played a major role in the record-setting performance, rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries while completing 7 of 9 passes for 90 yards. One week later, Stetson defeated Morehead State, 21-14, to secure consecutive PFL victories for the first time since 2019. The Hatters rushed for another 242 yards against the Eagles… Stephenson accounted for 106 rushing yards and a touchdown while also throwing a touchdown pass. Freshman Michael Dempsey contributed 118 all-purpose yards, including a 27-yard touchdown reception, as Stetson completed the back-to-back conference wins. The foundation of Stetson's October breakthrough was a rushing attack that produced one of the most dominant stretches in program history. Against Davidson, the Hatters rushed for a program-record 384 yards while scoring all five of their touchdowns on the ground… Stephenson led the attack with 135 yards and two scores as Stetson earned its first victory over Davidson since 2018. Stetson followed the record performance with 242 rushing yards against Morehead State, giving the Hatters 626 yards on the ground across the two conference victories. The consecutive performances reflected Jasper's extensive background as an offensive lineman, offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Stetson continued building under Jasper in 2026, earning its first victory of the season with a dominant 45-10 win over Webber International in the home opener at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium… The Hatters scored the game's first 31 points and controlled all three phases. Stetson accumulated 500 yards of total offense while averaging 8.3 yards per play… The offense produced 318 passing yards and 182 rushing yards, converted 10 of 14 third downs and did not commit a turnover. Defensively, the Hatters limited Webber International to 185 total yards, including just 46 through the air. Jasper's offensive background has remained an important element of Stetson's development… His experience as an offensive lineman, offensive line coach and run game coordinator provides a foundation for developing physicality at the line of scrimmage and building an offense around the strengths of its personnel. That approach was evident during the record-setting rushing performances of 2025 and continued into the following season as the Hatters produced explosive plays through both the passing and running games. Against Webber International in 2026, quarterback Thomas von Grote completed 19 of 24 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns without an interception… Wyatt Rogers recorded five receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Troy Flowers added 101 receiving yards and a score. Chris Stephenson rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on only three carries, with both scores coming on 57-yard runs in the fourth quarter. Jasper's coaching background also includes experience on the defensive side of the football, including serving as an assistant head coach and defensive line coach at Bethel. At Stetson, the Hatters' defense has complemented the program's offensive development with several strong performances. In the 2026 home-opening victory over Webber International, Stetson held the Warriors to 185 total yards and only 46 passing yards… The Hatters held Webber scoreless through the first three quarters while forcing an interception and consistently creating negative plays. Special teams have also contributed during Jasper's tenure… Paul DeSousa connected on a 49-yard field goal against Webber International in 2026 to help send the Hatters into halftime with a 24-0 advantage. Following the performance, DeSousa was named Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Week. Prior to Stetson, Jasper spent six seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, Bethel University, compiling a 44-20 record and establishing the Wildcats as a nationally competitive NAIA program. His most successful stretch included consecutive 11-win seasons in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, Jasper guided Bethel to a Mid-South Conference championship, the first 11-0 regular season in program history and a top-five national ranking… His work earned both Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year and NAIA Region I Coach of the Year honors. Bethel followed with an 11-2 record and another NAIA playoff appearance in 2023 before finishing 7-3 in 2024. The 2022 season marked the breakthrough of Jasper's tenure at Bethel… The Wildcats completed the first undefeated regular season in program history at 11-0 and captured the Mid-South Conference championship. Bethel climbed into the top five nationally while emerging as one of the NAIA's premier programs. Jasper's work earned him both Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year and NAIA Region I Coach of the Year recognition. Before becoming Bethel's head coach, Jasper served the Wildcats in a variety of roles that helped shape his approach to running a complete football program. He served as assistant head coach and defensive line coach while also spending time coaching the offensive line and coordinating the run game. Jasper additionally oversaw Bethel's strength and conditioning program, providing experience in physical development and year-round athlete preparation before moving into the head coaching position. Player development has remained a central piece of Jasper's coaching philosophy… His experience playing and coaching multiple positions along both the offensive and defensive lines provides a broad perspective on identifying and developing individual strengths. His background also includes recruiting, talent evaluation, strength and conditioning and building relationships with student-athletes throughout their collegiate careers. That approach was one of the central themes surrounding Jasper's arrival at Stetson, with an emphasis on helping players develop both as football players and as people. Jasper was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft following his collegiate career at Bethel. He spent three seasons as an offensive lineman in the NFL and was also part of the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers organizations. His professional playing career added another level to a football background that has included experience as a player, position coach, coordinator and head coach. Jasper began his collegiate playing career at UT Martin and was a starter on the Skyhawks' 2006 Ohio Valley Conference Championship team. After redshirting at Middle Tennessee State, he transferred to Bethel and competed on both sides of the football from 2008-10 as an offensive and defensive lineman. His performance at Bethel ultimately led to his selection in the 2011 NFL Draft before he later returned to his alma mater to build his coaching career. Jasper earned both his bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration from Bethel University. Jasper and his wife, Allison, have three children — Davis Reid, Millie Claire and Samuel David — and a rescue dog, Caine.