Matt Bird

Proud Father & Husband. So blessed to interact with the brilliant players & students each day #Brotherhood

[Peter Stuursma @PStuursm]

Let’s go!

[Hope College Athletics @HopeAthletics]

Competitive excellence six years in a row and an MIAA record 42nd time. Read more about our latest MIAA Commissioner's Cup on the Hope Athletics website.

[Hope College Football @HopeCollegeFB]

Just over a week away!
Sign up today!

https://t.co/9Tm3PSfCHI

[Coach Jinks Arnold @CoachJArnold4]

Who’s up next?

[Hope College Football @HopeCollegeFB]

Your 2026 Hope College Football Schedule

[Hope College Athletics @HopeAthletics]

Junior Austin Harvey, the 2026 Hope College Karen Page Courage Award recipient and a Hope College football student-athlete, bravely faced the loss of his parents about a year apart, due to different circumstances, at the age of 10.

The Hope College Karen Page Courage Award is presented in honor of beloved former Hope women's tennis coach Karen Page, who finished her brave, five-year battle against breast cancer in the summer of 2009. #d3fb @HopeCollegeFB @hopealumni @HopeCollege

[Hope College Football @HopeCollegeFB]

Three Junior Days set!
Reach out to your area or position coach for the link!

[Hope College Football @HopeCollegeFB]

Our doors are always open!
High School Coaches and Recruits, come check us out this Spring! Reach out to [email protected] with any questions!

[Hope College Football @HopeCollegeFB]

Class of 2027, you're up!
Fill out our recruiting questionnaire so we can start the process and evaluate!

https://t.co/FEFh6QDFo0

[Coach Jinks Arnold @CoachJArnold4]

With less than a week until the 2026 NCAA NFL Coaches Academy, I am grateful, excited, and prepared to grow, learn, and build relationships. @HopeCollegeFB

[Peter Stuursma @PStuursm]

So happy to welcome Coach Smith to the family!

[Hope College Football @HopeCollegeFB]

Meet our new defensive coordinator, Alex Smith. The former Central Michigan University Chippewa linebacker/defensive end joins the Hope College Football family after an exceptional high school coaching career, most recently at East Kentwood, a MHSAA Division 1 state semifinalist last fall. #d3fb

https://t.co/ssD57bQz3m

[Matt Bird @CoachBird_7]

Mendoza is special...he is different! Leadership is a gift!

[Matt Bird @CoachBird_7]

Mendoza is different!

[Hope College Football @HopeCollegeFB]

Our guy @CoachJArnold4 speaking on the importance of special teams at the @michiganhsfca clinic!

[Allen Trieu @AllenTrieu]

Update: per @dgregory1 of @bullrush_sports, Danitz is on an official to UCLA currently.

@BrandonHuffman has more on him and the other Bruin visitors.

https://t.co/6gI7TO1WYM

[Bryan @RealBGauvin23]

Transfer Portal Entry:

Former Hope College Edge Liam Danitz (@LiamDanitz) earned First Team All-American honors from the AFCA after putting up some ridiculous production in 2025.

A West Branch, Michigan native, Danitz destroyed opposing offensive lines to the tune of 46 tackles, including 21 for loss and 15 sacks.

He is also an All-American sprinter, clocking 10.55 in the 100 meters and 20.92 in the 200.
#TransferPortal

[Allen Trieu @AllenTrieu]

Here's a fun portal entry:

Hope College EDGE Liam Danitz is an All-American sprinter who ran 10.55 in the 100, 20.92 in the 200 and had 21 TFLs and 15 sacks this season.

Picked up several offers today after entering the portal last night.

https://t.co/D9rgbwiap6

[Peter Stuursma @PStuursm]

Check out our guy Liam Danitz. Incredible player and human being.

[Pace N Space @PaceNSpace2]

"The whole key to coaching is to make something digestible & relatable to your players.

You can know everything there is to know in football, but if you can't teach it to other coaches or other players, it's useless knowledge."

- Bruce Arians