GREENVILLE, Pa. (Dec. 5) -- Thiel College Director of Athletics Isaac Collins announced Friday morning the hiring of current Football assistant coach Jon Bevier as the first Women's Flag Football head coach in school history.

"Jon is exactly the kind of transformational leader we want building this program from the ground up," Collins said. "His passion for teaching, his commitment to the student-athlete experience and his vision for elevating women's flag football align perfectly with Thiel's mission. As our inaugural head coach, Coach Bevier will not only launch this program — he will shape its identity, culture and long-term legacy."

Bevier will oversee all aspects of the program's creation and early development as the Tomcats plan to begin competition this spring, joining fellow Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) schools Allegheny, Bethany, Chatham, Franciscan and Saint Vincent in offering the sport.

"I'm incredibly honored to be named the head women's flag football coach at Thiel College," Bevier said. "This is a special opportunity to build something meaningful, empower our student-athletes and elevate this rapidly growing sport on campus. I can't thank Isaac Collins and the entire Thiel administration enough for this great honor."

Bevier joined the Football coaching staff last spring, serving as linebackers coach. He mentored All-PAC Honorable Mention pick Jake Badger this past season.

Bevier came to Thiel after successful stints at the high school and NCAA FBS levels. He was a defensive quality control coach at Central Michigan University for one season. Prior to his stint with the Chippewas, Bevier served as an assistant coach responsible for linebackers at Anchor Bay High School in Fair Haven, Mich. for four seasons. He also coached linebackers and running backs for four years at Mount Pleasant High School in Michigan. 

Nationally, flag football has experienced significant growth at the high school and collegiate levels. In February, the NCAA's Committee on Women's Athletics recommended that Divisions I, II and III sponsor legislation to add women's flag football to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program. There is a vote scheduled at the 2026 NCAA Convention to formally recognize women's flag football as an emerging sport in DIII.

At the high school level, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) sanctioned flag football as an official varsity sport with over 125 schools fielding teams last season.

Interested athletes can click here or the blue box above to fill out a recruitment questionnaire. Coach Bevier can be reached by email at jbevier@thiel.edu.