COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Second-year Saint John's University head football coach Gary Fasching announced changes to his assistant-coaching staff for the 2014 season on Thursday, May 8.

Fasching promoted Jim Gagliardi '89 to offensive coordinator, replacing Kurt Ramler '97, who served as SJU's associate head coach/offensive coordinator in 2013 and was named head coach at the College of St. Scholastica March 31.

In addition, Brandon Novak '01 will leave his post as SJU's head wrestling coach and concentrate on football duties full-time as the Johnnies' co-defensive coordinator. First-year assistant Kole Heckendorf will see an increased role in SJU's offense and recruiting this fall.

SJU athletic director Tom Stock has announced Tony Willaert '11 as interim head wrestling coach for the 2014-15 season.

The 2014 season is Gagliardi's 23rd as an assistant coach and 21st as the Johnnies' offensive coordinator. He served as an offensive assistant and football-operations coordinator in 2013. The Johnnies have posted a 210-47-2 (.815) overall record and a 156-28-2 (.844) MIAC record during his tenure on staff.  Gagliardi played four years from 1985-88 at Saint John's as a wide receiver and was part of a conference championship and two national playoff squads.

"Jim has a great knowledge of offensive football, and learned from the best in his father, John," head coach Gary Fasching said. "Jim, myself and the rest of the offensive coaches worked very well together during spring ball. Jim has been part of some of the best offenses in the history of college football, and I am excited to bring him back in the role as offensive coordinator."

Novak completed his 13th season as assistant coach, his 12th with the linebackers and first as co-defensive coordinator with Jerry Haugen '76, in 2013. He was named the MIAC Most Valuable Player as a linebacker in 1999 and was a two-time, first-team All-America selection for the Johnnies.

"The full-time addition of Brandon will be a big boost to our football team," Fasching said. "He is an excellent coach and a proven recruiter who is well-connected to our student-athletes and well-respected in the coaching ranks."

Heckendorf ended his high-school career as Wisconsin's all-time leader in receiving yards (3,831) and touchdowns (36). He moved on to FCS (formerly Division I-AA) North Dakota State University and closed his collegiate career (2005-08) as the all-time leader in catches (178) and receiving yards (2,732) for the Bison. He signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and later joined four other National Football League organizations: the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.

"Kole brings an extensive knowledge of offensive football, having been part of five NFL teams as a player," Fasching said. "Kole is well-respected by our players and is a great teacher of fundamentals. He will be an outstanding recruiter for us in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin."