ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Rockford University Director of Athletics Jess Stanek has announced that Preston Mick has been named the next head coach of the women's flag football program.

"I'm excited to welcome Preston to our coaching staff," Stanek said. "Women's flag football is still relatively new and a growing program with tremendous potential. Preston will have a great opportunity to help shape its future, build its foundation, and leave his own mark on the program. We're looking forward to what he brings to our team."

Mick brings a strong background in football and multi-sport coaching to the Regents, with experience at the high school, youth and club levels alongside a career as an NCAA Division III student-athlete. Most recently, Mick has served as the assistant defensive coordinator at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, where he assists with defensive game planning, film study, position-specific training and player development.

Mick previously served as a volunteer football coach with the Shabbona Saints Youth Football program in Chicago, where he helped develop weekly practice plans, implement defensive strategies and prepare athletes for the high school level. His coaching background also includes baseball and girls golf. He served as an assistant baseball coach with Venom Baseball of Illinois and a baseball catching instructor at the National School of Baseball from 2022-23. Additionally, Mick spent three seasons as a volunteer girls golf coach at Maine South High School from 2017-20.

As a student-athlete, Mick played four seasons of NCAA Division III football at Benedictine University from 2011-14. During his time with the Eagles, he was part of two NACC championship teams in 2011 and 2014. Mick graduated from Benedictine in 2015 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.

A 2011 graduate of Bishop Foley Catholic High School in Madison Heights, Michigan, Mick was a two-sport athlete, earning All-Catholic League honors in football in 2010 and All-Area recognition in baseball in 2011. He was also part of Bishop Foley's 2011 state championship baseball team.

"I am honored and excited to be named the head women's flag football coach at Rockford University," Mick said. "This is an outstanding opportunity to build a competitive program, establish a lasting foundation for success, and create a culture that student-athletes are proud to represent. My vision is to build a program that is defined by development, accountability, respect, and empowerment both on and off the field. I look forward to recruiting and developing talented student-athletes and positioning Rockford University as a competitive presence in the growing landscape of flag football. I am excited for what lies ahead. Go Regents!"