COACHES
Head Coach: Coach “Cro” - Greg Croshaw
· One of the most successful Junior College Coaches
EVER!
· 17 Conference Championships
· 66 JC All-Americans
· 8 times – National Coach of the Year
· Over 300 Players getting Scholarships to NCAA
Football Programs
· 34+ players have gone to the NFL
Coach Cro was recently inducted into the NJCAA Hall-of-Fame. In his 24 seasons (1982-2005), Croshaw compiled a record of 214-56-1, won 17 conference titles, and was the national runner-up twice. He coached 36 NJCAA first-team All-Americans, had the nation's top running back nine times and coached four NJCAA players of the year. Coach "Cro" launched his coaching career after a distinguished playing career at Yakima Valley Junior College and Weber State, he signed with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL. His first and last coaching assignment was at Dixie College. He started his career as an assistant coach with Tom Ramage at Dixie; then under LaVell Edwards at BYU as a graduate assistant; and then with the Arslanian brothers (Dave and Paul) at Snow College where they took over a struggling program that was coming off 12 consecutive losing seasons with only 1 win in 2 years prior to their arrival in 1975 and together they created a powerhouse 3-time conference champ and nationally ranked for the first time ever. Cro then moved to Northern Arizona University before returning to where he started, Dixie College as the head coach. Coach Cro has been helping area high schools since retiring from Dixie...and now is excited to reunite with the Arslanian brothers and "relaunch" junior college football in St George...with the St George Eagles..."Home of the Dixie Spirit"...and do what he is a master at...helping young men become Major College Football Players.
OFFENSE
General Manager, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterback & Runningbacks: Mike Grajek
In 2023 the St. George Eagles in their inaugural year and the legendary head coach Greg Croshaw named Mike Grajek as
the Offensive Coordinator. Grajek has coached many years since he graduated from SUU in 1993. In his first year as head coach he lead the Milford Tigers to their first football State Championship in school history. The next year Grajek took over as head coach for Morgan Trojans. In 3 years the Trojans went 20-10 and in 1996 Grajek’s last year there they were region champs, state runners up and went 11-1.
The following 20 years Grajek served as an assistant coach at Las Vegas HS under Kris Cinkovich & Chris Faircloth, Virgin Valley HS under Kirk Hafen, Gunnison HS under Yori Ludvigson and South Summit HS under Jerry Parker and Grajek credits learning how to serve, the success he’s had and the philosophy he has developed from the time he spent with those great head coaches. During that time multiple state championships were won.
In 2016 Coach Grajek was named the head coach of the South Summit Wildcats during his 5 years the wildcats went 48-10, State runners up in 2016 and won the State Championship back to back in 2017 & 2018.
The 2017 team went 12-0 first south summit team to go undefeated in school history. Grajek, who was raised in a single parent home with his mother and 3 sisters is from Moscow,Idaho, graduated from Moscow High School as a multi sport athlete, starting on the varsity in football and basketball both his junior and senior years. He was taught lots about discipline, team work, respect and love for the game by both his high school football (Eric Bjorkman) and basketball (Rick Sweeney) coaches whom he still keeps in contact with today.
After High School Grajek played football at western Montana college for Don Christensen as a quarterback. Earning a staring roll his freshman year and staring every game as a sophomore. He then served a mission for the LDS church in Perth Australia. After returning home he went to SUU as a red shirt player for Jack Bishop. Then transfer back to WMC for his junior and senior year playing for Mick Dennehy and then Mick Dennehy respectfully. Thanks to all his coaches he wanted to follow in their footsteps to help boys become successful husbands fathers and great men.Grajek received his bachelor’s degree from SUU and then his Master’s in Education from Grand Canyon University.
Coach Grajek’s wife Teddi is from Mesquite Nv they have been married 30 years they have 5 children McCall (Brandon) Cohen grandsons Kobe & Luka, Josie (Caleb) Peterson grandson Marshall, Parker, Genna (Randy) Maldonado, Maya.
Faith-Family-Football
Offensive Line/Tight Ends Run Game Coordinator: Stryder Hurd
Stryder Hurd grew up in Saint George Ut. He attended Pine View High School and graduated in 1996. After High school he served a LDS mission in the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic. After returning he married his wife Esther in 2000. They have 2 Daughters. Stryder has worked with his father in the family Marble business all together for 20 plus years. In 2008 Stryder attended Dixie State where he studied education. At the same time he began to play football again. He played 8 seasons in the RMFL semi pro; 2 years with the Saint george blitz (under coach Crowshaw) where he was the starting right guard winning a championship and earning an all star team starter. He was a 5 time all star and 3 time all league starter with the Saint George blitz and Dixie Rebels. He finished his playing career in 2015 with the Zion lions. Stryder coached at Diamond Ranch Academy for 5 seasons as the offensive line coach, where they had 2 region championships. After Diamond ranch, he was an offensive coordinator and Head Coach in the Dixie little league. Last season he was an assistant coach at Hurricane High. In all he has 12 years playing experience and 10 years coaching.
Running Backs: Blessed Verwan
Bio Coming Soon...
Wide Receivers/TE: Aaron Simpson
Bio Coming Soon...
Slot Receivers: Kyler Blackmore
Bio Coming Soon...
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator/Corners: Shawn Jones
Shawn Jones is a coach with a proven track record for developing young talent. Shawn coached Track and Field at Southern Utah University and has been instrumental in developing athletes for Track and Field, Softball, as well as many other sports for 24 years. Shawn is a Softball Umpire and umpires major tournaments in the USA. He currently works as the Running Back/Receivers Coach, as well as a speed and conditioning trainer for the Eagles. As a former NFL player, Shawn’s extensive expertise and passion for sports make him a valuable asset for players wishing to achieve their full potential and advance their sports career in positive ways.
Safeties: Lahi Vaka
Lahi Vaka, hailing from San Mateo, California, graduated from high school in 1986. He embarked on his football journey, first at Snow College from 1986 to 1988, followed by a stint with Missouri State Football from 1989 to 1990. Lahi pursued his academic interests alongside his passion for football, earning a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a Minor in Physical Education.
Off the field, Lahi Vaka has demonstrated commitment not only in his career but also in his personal life. He has been happily married to Kristi McDowell for an impressive 30 years, and they are proud parents of three children and grandparents to two lovely grandchildren.
Defensive Backs: Jonah Lutui
Bio Coming Soon...
Linebackers: McKade Fielding
Bio Coming Soon...
Special Teams
Special Teams Analyst: Buck Cowdin
Coach Cowdin has over 20 years experience in coaching football. He served as a volunteer defensive assistant with Perry Christensen at Logan High School. He also Coached with Jake Nelson for three years at Dixie High School and Desert Hills High School in St. George, Utah where they went to the State final four three times, once as the runner up. He has also coached and consulted with coaches Kevin Cuthbertson, Carl Franke, Jay Schroeder, Mark Murdock, Rick Berry at Desert Hills winning three Utah State Championships in nine years. He has also coached at various summer camps at Boise State, Utah State and Southern Utah University. Three of his sons have Division I football scholarships. They went to Oregon State, Utah State, Southern Utah State and Wagner College. His son Cade was part of the WAC Champion team while playing linebacker at Utah State. He has coached over 40 Division I athletes and a handful of NFL players. He established the "GRIZZ Award" with Coach Carl Franke, and has given nearly 30 scholarships to students in the last 10 years. He enjoys hunting and booking Big Game Safaris in Africa.
Special Team Coordinator, Kickers, Punters, Holders & Snappers: Rick Mc Carroll
Bio Coming Soon...
Athletic Trainer: Kyle Hosner
As a competitive person with a passion for health and fitness, being the Athletic Trainer for the St. George Eagles has truly been a blessing for me. After graduating from Utah Tech with a master’s degree in 2023 and having the beginning of my professional career in sight, employment opportunities weren’t as available as one would think. This was all until I received a call from Mark Brady, and the opportunity to work with the Eagles presented itself. Through the last two seasons, I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, work next to some of the greats in the industry, and hone my professional skills with the best group of athletes.
Video analyst Technology Coordinator / Offensive analyst: Kyler Jean Blackmore
Bio Coming Soon...
St. George Eagles is the first private Post High School Collegiate/ JUCO Football team in Utah whose program will help post-high school football players develop academically, athletically and physically to reach their goal of playing major college football.
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
163W 1600S STE 5
St. George UT, 84770
Coach "Cro" - Greg Croshaw - Head Coach
435-680-4812
Mark Brady - Commissioner of Football
435-773-2903
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