Bruce Read returns for his seventh year and sixth overall season in the fall of 2025.
Read brings over 30 years of special teams coaching experience, which includes multiple stops in both the collegiate and professional ranks. He also works with the team's running backs and serves as the co-recruiting coordinator. Read is in charge of recruiting Vancouver, Idaho and half of Oregon (South of Corvallis). During his time with the Pioneers, he has coached four players who have earned All-Region honors for their contributions on Specials Teams and six running backs who have garnered All-Conference accolades.
The veteran Special Teams coach led Lewis & Clark's special teams to a banner year in 2024. Defensive lineman Jack Warren was named a D3football.com All-American after blocking four kicks (two field goals, two PATs) this Fall. Warren and sophomore kicker Thien Hoang each were tabbed All-Region selections as well. Hoang finished 10-13 on field goals and 39-39 on PATs to set the single-season (69 points) and career program records (137) for points. As a unit, Lewis & Clark finished ninth in NCAA DIII in blocked kicks (six) and sixth in punt return average (16.56).
During the 2023 season, Read coached three players who were named to the Northwest Conference All-Conference Teams. Freshman kicker Thien Hoang, who had never kicked a field goal in a game prior to this year, earned D3football.com All-Region honors and All-Conference accolades after setting the program record for points in a season (68). Senior punter Huxley Richardson earned his first career All-Conference nod (Honorable Mention Team) after posting a career-best average of 36.8. Sophomore kick returner Jordan Lahusky also was recognized after finishing in the top three in the conference with 450 kickoff yard and an average of 23.7 yards per kickoff. The Pioneers special teams scored on a kickoff, blocked a kickoff and a PAT (returned for two points) and outgained their opponents on both kickoff returns and punt returns.
Prior to coaching at Lewis & Clark, Read served for a season as the special teams coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2017. Also, Read spent a pair of seasons (2015-16) as the special teams coordinator for Nebraska. Other collegiate stops, all as special teams coach, include three stints at Oregon State (2009-14, 2004-06, 1997-98) and an 11-year run at Montana (1985-96).
Professionally, Read handled the special teams unit for the Dallas Cowboys (2007-08), New York Giants (2002-03) and San Diego Chargers (1999-01).
During his time at Nebraska, he tutored Sam Foltz, who averaged over 44 yards per punt in 2015 and was honored as the Big Ten Punter of the Year. While a member of the San Diego Chargers staff, he helped them lead the NFL in kickoff return average in 1999 and consistently rank among NFL leaders in composite special teams rankings.
Coaching Experience
2018: Northern Arizona (Special Teams)
2017: Montreal Alouettes (Special Teams Coordinator)
2015-16: Nebraska, Assistant Coach (Special Teams Coordinator)
2009-14: Oregon State, Assistant Coach (Coordinator of Special Teams)
2007-08: Dallas Cowboys, Assistant Coach (Special Teams)
2004-06: Oregon State, Assistant Coach (Special Teams)
2002-03: New York Giants, Assistant Coach (Special Teams)
1999-01: San Diego Chargers, Assistant Coach (Special Teams)
1997-98: Oregon State, Assistant Coach (Special Teams)
1985-96: Montana, Assistant Coach (Special Teams)
