Thiel College Athletics

Christian Pawola Jr. is in his first year as the linebackers coach for the Tomcats in 2021.

A native of Sycamore, Illinois, Pawola was a four-sport athlete in high school, including football. Pawola earned a bachelor’s degree in business finance from the University of Minnesota in 2020. He also minored in international business.

While attending the University of Minnesota, Pawola served as a defensive student assistant coach for the school for two seasons. Pawola reported directly to Joe Rossi, Minnesota’s defensive coordinator. Rossi was Thiel’s defensive coordinator from 2003-06. Under Rossi’s tutelage, Pawola worked with the team’s linebackers. He provided opponent tendency and personnel information and broke down game film utilizing DVSport.