Austin Zoda is in entering his third season as Offensive Coordinator for the Truman State Bulldogs, returning to his alma mater in 2024. A four-time All-GLVC defensive back during his playing career, Zoda has orchestrated one of the most explosive and efficient offenses in Division II during his tenure.
At Truman State
In 2025, Zoda's offense reached new heights, ranking 2nd in the GLVC in scoring offense at 36.7 points per game while totaling 4,907 yards of total offense at 408.9 yards per game. The rushing attack ranked 1st in the GLVC with 2,261 yards at 205 yards per game (1st GLVC/25th nationally) and 5.71 yards per carry (1st GLVC/13th nationally). The passing game produced 2,476 yards and 25 touchdowns with quarterback Dylan Hair completing 61.47% of his passes for a 147.85 passer rating and averaging 267 yards per game of total offense (4th GLVC).
The offensive line dominated in pass protection, allowing just 16 sacks (1 per 24 attempts, 2nd GLVC/40th nationally) and ranking among the fewest sack totals in the GLVC. The offense converted 47.1% of third downs (2nd GLVC/17th nationally). The balanced attack helped the team to its first post-season playoff berth in 31 years with an 8-4 overall record and 7-1 GLVC mark.
Under Zoda's direction, the 2025 offense produced seven All-GLVC honorees:
- OL Greg Krupa (1st Team All-GLVC) - started every game, helped produce GLVC's top rushing offense
- OL Wyatt Bonnett (1st Team All-GLVC) - led team in knockdowns among linemen
- RB Denim Cook (1st Team All-GLVC) - GLVC Rushing Champion with 905 yards and 11 TDs
- QB Dylan Hair (2nd Team All-GLVC) - 4th in GLVC in total offense (267 ypg)
- WR Nathan Ryan (2nd Team All-GLVC) - 4th in GLVC with 8 receiving TDs
- TE/O-UT Gerard Grewe (2nd Team All-GLVC) - dual recognition for versatility
- Return Specialist Thomas Pulliam (1st Team All-GLVC) - led GLVC with 342 kick return yards
In his first season as offensive coordinator (2024), Zoda's offense averaged 32.75 points per game (2nd GLVC/26th nationally) while rushing for 2,216 yards (2nd GLVC/22nd nationally) at 184.7 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry (2nd GLVC/19th nationally). The offensive line allowed just 11 sacks all season (1 per 28 attempts), ranking 1st in the GLVC and 14th nationally. The Bulldogs dominated situational football with a 43.33% third-down conversion rate (1st GLVC/35th nationally) and an impressive 77.78% fourth-down success rate (1st GLVC/2nd nationally). The 2024 offense produced three All-GLVC honorees: OL Kody Klingensmith (1st Team), TE Chris Kerr (1st Team), and OL Houston Eagan (2nd Team).
Before Truman State
Prior to returning to Truman State, Zoda spent six seasons (2017-2023) as an assistant coach at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, including four seasons as quarterbacks coach. He joined Chris Brown's staff in 2017 and immediately helped the Tigers to a perfect regular season and their first Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) championship. Fort Hays State snapped a 22-year NCAA postseason drought that season with a bid to the national playoffs, finishing 11-1. The Tigers won the MIAA title again and returned to the playoffs in 2018. In his six seasons in Hays, the Tigers posted an overall record of 43-25.
Playing Career
Out of Frisco, Texas, Zoda was a standout defensive back for the Bulldogs from 2013-2016, earning four All-GLVC honors during his career. He was a second-team defensive back selection as a redshirt freshman in 2013 and repeated that honor in 2014, before moving up to first-team accolades in both 2015 and 2016.
Zoda played in 43 career games for Truman State and amassed 318 total tackles, seven interceptions, and forced five fumbles with three recoveries. He ranks seventh on the all-time tackles list at Truman State. In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Zoda was a persistent member of the Academic All-Great Lakes Valley Conference team and graduated from Truman State.
Personal
A native of Frisco, Texas, Zoda returned to Kirksville in 2024 to lead the Bulldogs' offense after six successful seasons at Fort Hays State.
