PUEBLO, Colo. – Colorado State University Pueblo first-year head football coach Philip Vigil has announced that Caid Faske has joined the ThunderWolves' as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
 
Faske comes to CSU Pueblo after spending the past five seasons as the defensive ends coach at NCAA FCS member Stephen F. Austin State University. In 2019, Faske was tabbed by the American Football Coaches Association as a Top 35 Coach Under 35 Years Old, which is a prestigious honor given to promising up-and-coming coaches. He was also responsible for recruiting in the DFW Metroplex area.
 
"Coach Faske is one of the best defensive coaches I've ever been around. He is a relentless recruiter and has developed multiple players that have gone on to play in the NFL," Vigil said about Faske. "I'm excited to see what the Pack defense will look like this upcoming season. There's no question they will be dominant."
 
Prior to going to SFA, Faske was the defensive line coach at Texas A&M-Commerce from 2015-18. In 2018, his defensive line with the Lions was one of the top units in the country. The Lions had the best pass defense in the Lone Star Conference and was second in rushing defense and finished in the Top 25 nationally in total defense. The defense was also in the Top 10 in sacks and was nationally ranked in third-down defense.
 
During the 2017 NCAA Division II national championship season, Faske's defensive line was one of the top units in the nation. The team had the best pass defense and was second in rushing defense in the LSC and finished 26th in the nation in total defense. The team also finished 20th in Division II in red zone defense and held opponents to just 3.1 yards per carry. The Lions had five different linemen record at least three sacks and had three with at least five sacks. Norman Moimoi led the team with 6.5 sacks.
 
In 2016, A&M-Commerce ranked fourth in the LSC in rush defense, holding runners to less than four years per carry. The team finished second in the league and 23rd nationally in red zone defense. The team was 15th overall in scoring defense and was second in the nation in defensive touchdowns scored. The Lions also ranked fourth nationally in interceptions and was first overall in takeaways.
 
The 2015 season saw A&M-Commerce finish ranked 23rd nationally in rushing defense. The Lions led the LSC in rush defense, scoring defense, total defense and was second in sacks. In 2014, he coached two All-LSC performers and two Honorable Mention All-LSC performers on the defensive line.
 
Before working at Texas A&M-Commerce, Faske spent part of the spring of 2015 at North Texas as a defensive assistant, assisting with recruiting and helping coach the defensive line.
 
Prior to his brief stint at North Texas, Faske spent three seasons at West Texas A&M University, where he coached the Buffs' defensive line and recruited the West Texas area.
 
Faske joined the coaching staff at West Texas A&M after his playing career for the Buffs was cut short due to health issues. During his first year on staff, Faske coached First-Team All-LSC defensive linemen, including All-American defensive ends Ethan Westbrooks and Tyrell Higgins in 2012.
 
Under his tutelage in 2012, Faske helped Westbrooks lead the nation in sacks with 19.5 as he was the Daktronics National Defensive Player of the Year. The West Texas defense recorded 59 sacks as a team to lead all of Division II. Current SFA head coach Colby Cathel was the defensive coordinator in 2012 for the Buffs.
 
In his coaching career, Faske has coached 21 All-Conference players, four All-Americans, multiple All-Region selections and a National Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Faske, who is a native of Bushland, Texas, attended Bushland High School where he was an All-District offensive and defensive lineman as a senior. As a junior. He helped lead the team to a 15-1 record and a State Championship game berth. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Sports Exercise Science from West Texas A&M and earned his Master's degree in Athletic Administration from Texas A&M-Commerce.
 
He and his wife, Shylo, are the parents of two daughters, Aniston Renee and Leighton Grey and a son, Cooper.