University of Wisconsin La Crosse Athletics

Frank Tierney begins his 28th year with UW-La Crosse's football coaching staff in 2026, working with wide receivers. 

COACHING CAREER:
* Coached football in his hometown of Mahopac, New York.

PLAYER ACCOLADES:
* Coached 33 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) selections at wide receiver, including 15 first team choices, seven second team and 11 honorable mention.
* Scott Burnoski was voted 2004 WIAC Player of the Year while Cole Spieker earned 2019 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year accolades. Burnoski and Spieker were both selected to the D3football.com All-America Second Team. Spieker is currently in his sixth season playing for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. 
* Nick Holcomb was named to three-time first team All-America teams in 2017, earning American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press Little All-America and D3football.com honors.
* Jake Simuncak was a 2021 Associated Press All-America Second Team and D3football.com All-America Fourth Team selection.
* Jack Studer earned 2023 Associated Press and D3football.com All-America Second Team accolades.
* Burnoski (2004) and Holcomb (2017) were named finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division III. Spieker (2019) and Studer (2024) were selected as semifinalists.
* Burnoski is UWL's career leader in receptions (195) while Studer is the all-time leader in receiving yards (3,127) and touchdowns (35).
* Top-seven leaders in receptions in school history played under Tierney.
* Top-three in receiving yards and six of the top-eight played for Tierney.
* Top-five players in receiving touchdowns played under Tierney's tutelage.

EDUCATION/PLAYING CAREER: 
* Earned bachelor's degree from Manhattan College (N.Y.) in 1973.
* Led team in receptions and touchdowns senior season.
* Master’s degree from UWL in 1998.

CAREER/HONORS: 
* Served in U.S. Army from 1975-2000 as a Comat Engineer.
* Taught in UWL's ROTC Department.
* Retired from UWL's Academic Advising Center in 2016.
* Inducted into Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) Hall of Fame in 2026.