Recruiting Coordinator and Recruiting Area (Iowa)
Graham Hevel joined the Minnesota State football program in February 2021 and was promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach in June 2025. He has coached multiple defensive position groups and special teams during his time with the Mavericks.
Hevel began his tenure with the Mavericks as Defensive Ends Coach during the 2021 season, then transitioned to cornerbacks coach in 2022. That season, Minnesota State captured the NSIC Conference Championship, and cornerback Trey Vaval earned AII-NSIC honors, D2CCA All-American recognition, and Don Hansen All-American honors.
In 2023, Hevel served as the program’s Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach. Defensive lineman Maven Kretche led the NSIC Conference with 10.5 sacks and earned AII-NSIC, AFCA All-American, Don Hansen All-American, D2CCA All-Super Region, and D2Football.com Elite 100 honors. On special teams, Vaval earned AII-NSIC, D2CCA All-Super Region Four, and AFCA All-American honors as a return specialist.
Hevel continued overseeing the defensive line and special teams during Minnesota State’s 2024 Regional Championship season. Defensive linemen Maven Kretche and Cody Brown earned AII-NSIC honors, while return specialist TreShawn Watson also received AII-NSIC recognition.
During the 2025 Elite Eight season, Hevel served as Co-Defensive Coordinator while coaching the linebackers. Linebacker Jefferson Mobry earned All-NSIC honors, was named the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and was selected to the D2CCA All-Super Region Three team.
Prior to Minnesota State, Hevel served as a graduate assistant at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater from 2020–21, working with the defensive line and linebackers. He also played linebacker for the Warhawks from 2015–19, contributing to NCAA Division III semifinal appearances in 2015 and 2018, and a national runner-up finish in 2019.
A native of Orland Park, Illinois, Hevel earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from UW–Whitewater in 2020 and completed a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership with an emphasis in Athletic Administration in 2022.
Coaching Experience
2025–Present: Minnesota State — Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2023–2025: Minnesota State — Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line
2022–2023: Minnesota State — Cornerbacks
2021–2022: Minnesota State — Defensive Ends
2020–2021: University of Wisconsin–Whitewater — Graduate Assistant
