GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota head football coach Bubba Schweigert announced Wednesday that Brett Holinka has been named as the program's new defensive line coach. The former two-time all-conference player for UND spent last season as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at U-Mary in Bismarck.
 
"We are pleased to have Coach Holinka joining our football staff as we prepare for the 2019 season," said Schweigert. "Brett played here and understands the commitment it takes to contribute to the rich winning tradition of North Dakota football. We look forward to the experience that he will bring to the defense and the passion he will bring to the staff as we soar for new heights of Fighting Hawk football."
 
Holinka spent last season in the state of North Dakota, serving as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at U-Mary. While in Bismarck, Holinka led the Marauders to 12 interceptions and 26 sacks which ranked sixth and ninth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, respectively.
 
"I want to first thank Coach Schweigert and the rest of the staff for this opportunity," said Holinka. "I'm very grateful to be hired here and I can't wait to get to work for such a great program. I am excited to be back in Grand Forks and at the University of North Dakota to continue on the great football tradition here."
 
Prior to joining the staff at U-Mary, Holinka spent three seasons at Winona State as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach, guiding the Warriors to a 10-2 record in 2017 and a NCAA Division II playoff berth. During that season, Winona State led the NSIC in punt returns, kick returns, and overall kick coverage as well as scoring defense, total defense, takeaways, third down efficiency, red zone efficiency, and opponent pass efficiency. The previous season, the Warriors ranked second nationally in punt returns and sixth in total blocked kicks. Holinka coached a pair of players to all-conference selections as linebacker Mike Imperial and return specialist Jake Balliu both earned All-NSIC First Team honors in 2016 and 2017.
 
Holinka made stops at Rutgers (2012-2014) and St. Thomas (2010-11) to begin his coaching career, helping the Tommies reach the quarterfinals (2010) and semifinals (2011) of the NCAA Division III playoffs during each of his two seasons.  
 
A 2009 graduate from the University of North Dakota with a degree in physical education and exercise science, Holinka was a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Fighting Sioux football team from 2005-2008. He helped guide UND to a pair of North Central Conference (NCC) titles in 2005 and 2006 and was named to the All-NCC Honorable Mention team as a linebacker in 2007. Holinka concluded his career as a member of the inaugural Division I team in 2008, earning All-Great West honors.