APPLETON, Wis. -- Former standout Andy Paider is returning to Lawrence University to be a part of the football coaching staff, Director of Athletics Kim Tatro announced today.
    Paider, a native of Denmark, Wis., is the Vikings' new co-defensive coordinator, Lawrence head coach Tony Aker said.
    "I am excited to be back at Lawrence and thankful to Coach Aker and Coach Tatro for offering me the opportunity to return to LU as a member of the football staff," Paider said. "Being able to return to your alma mater is a dream of many coaches, and I am very excited to be able to live out that dream while also having the chance to help rebuild this program back to the level it deserves. I cannot wait to call the Banta Bowl home again this fall!"
    A 2014 Lawrence graduate, Paider returns to Appleton after serving as the defensive line coach for the 2020 season at Gannon University, a NCAA Division II school in Erie, Pa. 
    "We're thrilled to welcome Andy back to his home state and alma mater," Aker said. "Andy is passionate about the overall development of the young people he coaches and is equally as passionate about this university and football family. We're fortunate to have Andy back in the Ship with us and are excited about what he brings schematically to our defense."
   Paider spent three seasons as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. During his stint there during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons, Paider's had the top-ranked pass defense in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. He coached seven all-conference players, including stellar defensive end Javon Muhammad, who was the UMAC Defensive Player of the Year, a D3football.com all-region selection and the Cliff Harris Award winner. The Cliff Harris Award goes to the small college defensive player of the year.
    After his graduation from Lawrence with a bachelor's degree in history, Paider was the defensive line coach with the Vikings during the 2014 season. He then served as defensive line coach at St. Norbert College during the 2015 season and coached the linebackers at Wilmington College in 2016 before heading to MacMurray.
    Paider, who has a Master's degree in sports leadership from Concordia University Chicago, put together a fine playing career at Lawrence. A linebacker and defensive end during his time with the Vikings, Paider piled up 229 tackles and finished second in Lawrence history with 36.5 tackles for loss. Paider also finished with 11.5 sacks, two interceptions and even caught a touchdown pass against Beloit College in 2013. A team captain, Paider was chosen as the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2013.
    A three-sport star at Denmark High School, Paider competed in football, basketball and track and field as a prep athlete. A two-time All-Bay Conference selection in football, Paider was a team captain at Denmark. 
    Lawrence opens its 2021 season on Sept. 4 when the Vikings host Finlandia University in a nonconference game on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.