The Dordt University football team and Head Coach Joel Penner announce that Levi Jungling has been promoted as the Defenders offensive coordinator beginning the 2024 season.
Jungling has been on the Defenders coaching staff the last three seasons (2021-23) where he has served as the receivers coach. He takes over the coordinator duties from Head Coach Joel Penner, who filled the role the last three years.
“Levi is no stranger to putting points on the scoreboard for Dordt football, and in his new role as Offensive Coordinator, he will be doing the same thing, but from a different perspective,” commented Defenders Head Coach Joel Penner. “Offensive coordinators have to be creative, stubborn, detail-oriented, principled, and masterful teachers. Levi is all of these things and I am excited to watch our offense grow and improve under his leadership.”
Jungling played for the Defenders (2017-21) under Head Coach Joel Penner where he concluded his standout career as the program’s all-time leading receiver, totaling 271 receptions for 4,637 yards. In addition, Jungling ranks first all-time in all-purpose yards (6,075), touchdown receptions (42) and total points (348). He earned all-conference honors all five years and was a starter on the Defenders’ first ever NAIA Football Championship Series appearance in the spring of 2021.
“I’m honored to serve the Dordt football program in this new capacity,” said Jungling. “As both a player and coach, I’ve been deeply invested in this program’s pursuit of Industry Standard football. I’m fired up to continue contributing to the growth of Dordt Football as the leader of the offense.”
Dordt concluded the 2023 season ranked 14th in the final NAIA Coaches’ poll with a 9-3 overall record. The Defenders qualified for the NAIA FCS for the second time in program history where they earned a convincing 35-7 win against Ottawa (Kan.) in the first round for their first ever postseason victory. Dordt was then paired against 2022 national champion and No.1 Northwestern (Iowa) where they lost to the Red Raiders in a defensive struggle 7-0.
The Defenders finished second in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) regular season with an 8-2 record. They picked up their first ever win over the Mustangs, defending them on the road (28-24) on Nov. 4.
Jungling takes over a Defenders offense that boasted the third best rushing offense in the NAIA, churning out 249 rushing yards per game. Dordt was fifth in the NAIA in rushing yards per attempt (5.6) and ranked third in the GPAC in scoring (31.5ppg).
