UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University head football coach Michael Engle announced four additions to the Cardinal football coaching staff. Jacob Pardonnet joins as Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach; Cole Hoover as Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach; Jack Connolly as Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach; and Willie Taggart Jr. as Wide Receivers Coach.
Jacob Pardonnet comes to SVSU after four seasons as the Defensive Coordinator at his alma mater, Hope College, where he led the Flying Dutchmen to consecutive top-20 finishes over the last two years. In 2025, Hope ranked seventh in NCAA Division III rush defense, allowing only 62.7 yards per game, 15th in scoring defense (14.5 points per game), and 20th in total defense (257.0 yards per game). Under his guidance, Hope achieved a 9-2 record and qualified for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons—the first time in program history. During his tenure, Pardonnet coached five All-America selections and 18 all-conference players. He also spent three seasons coaching at NCAA Division I Bryant University before returning to Hope. Pardonnet was a three-year starter at Hope, earned all-conference honors twice, and served as a team captain his senior year.
"Coach Pardonnet is a relationship-driven coach who brings tremendous pride, integrity, and toughness to the way he leads a defense," said SVSU Head Football Coach Michael Engle. "His track record at Hope shows his ability to develop players, build trust, and create a unit that plays fast, physical, and connected. He cares deeply about his players as people, holds them to a high standard, and understands how to build a defensive culture that families can believe in, and players can thrive in."
Cole Hoover joins the Cardinals after two seasons at Eastern Illinois University. In 2024, he coached tight ends, leading the group to the most receptions, yards, and touchdowns since 2019. In 2025, he transitioned to the offensive line, helping EIU increase average rush yards per game, yards per carry, touchdowns, and overall rushing production, while reducing sacks from the previous season. While at EIU, Hoover developed a First Team Freshman All-American, who earned Second Team All-Conference honors, and another Second Team All-Conference honoree. Before Eastern Illinois, he served as recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach at Western Illinois and worked as a graduate assistant at Ball State University and Eastern Illinois. Hoover was a three-year starter at EIU and served as team captain his senior season.
"Coach Hoover is a true players' coach who believes in building strong relationships and developing young men on and off the field. His experience at Eastern Illinois shows up in how he teaches physical, disciplined football, whether it's improving production up front or protecting the quarterback. He brings toughness, integrity, and a family-first mindset to everything he does, and that will be a huge asset to our offensive unit and our program as a whole," said Engle.
Jack Connolly comes to SVSU after spending 2025 at Butler University as recruiting coordinator and wide receiver coach. He helped guide the Bulldogs to the top of the Pioneer Football League in third-down offense, while ranking third in the FCS in time of possession. Connolly also assisted Butler's special teams, coached the Bulldogs returners, and helped develop a Second Team All-Conference wide receiver. Before Butler, he worked as a graduate assistant at Ball State University and as a wide receivers coach at Carthage College.
"Coach Connolly is a players' coach who understands how important special teams and tight ends are to winning football games. His experience at Butler shows in the way he teaches situational football, accountability, and effort. He builds strong relationships with his players, values family and integrity, and brings a tough, detail-oriented approach that helps young men grow on the field and in life," Engle said.
Willie Taggart Jr. spent the past season at Towson University as the assistant wide receivers coach, helping to develop Third Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention selections at wide receiver. In June 2025, he gained experience with the Baltimore Ravens, learning NFL-level coaching standards and offensive structure. He played college football at NCAA Division I Western Kentucky University and Florida Atlantic University, serving as both quarterback and wide receiver. His father, Willie Taggart, has served as a head coach at Western Kentucky, South Florida, Oregon, Florida State, and Florida Atlantic, and spent this past season as assistant head coach/running backs coach for the Ravens.
"Coach Taggart Jr. is a relationship-first coach who connects naturally with players and understands the game from multiple perspectives. His experience at the Division I level and exposure to NFL standards bring great structure and professionalism to our wide receiver room. He values family, carries himself with integrity, and challenges players to be tough, disciplined, and accountable both on the field and in how they represent our program every day," said Engle.