
- Details
- By Levi Rickert
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Prior to the start of play of the football game the announcer at Waldo Stadium Field told the crowd of 19,432 that Thursday night marked a new era for Western Michigan University (WMU) Bronco football. He was referring to the inaugural game for new head football coach Lance Taylor (Choctaw), who is the only NCAA Division I Native American head football coach.
The WMU Broncos did not disappoint a single fan in the stadium–or Taylor–with their dominating victory 35-17 over St. Francis (PA). The Broncos scored first and never trailed in the game. The victory was team effort with five different players scoring touchdowns each. Redshirt freshman Jalen Buckley was impressive on the ground with 30 carries rushing for 194 yards.

The WMU Football program is part of the NCAA’s Football Subdivision of Division I and is a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Taylor is a tribal citizen of the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, which is a state recognized tribe in Alabama.
"I'm really proud of our team tonight. Great effort, toughness and discipline was on display tonight. So I'm really proud and happy because I think everybody on our football family did a great job. Not only our players, our coaches, our staff, all bought into my vision and mission really worked tirelessly. And it's not about me, it's about them. So I want to thank them for what they've done the commitment that they've given to our players and building a championship culture with the habits that we want to embody," Taylor said in a post-game press conference.
“Tonight was special in multiple ways and it’s always special to win,” Taylor said. “I’m really proud of our team tonight and the way they embodied all the things we talked about during the offseason in attacking the grass with great effort, attitude, toughness and discipline – they were all on display tonight. It feels great to be 1-0.”
Taylor was named the WMU's football head coach in December 2022. He is the the 17th head coach in WMU's football program history. He replaced Tim Lester who was fired after the WMU football team had a dismal 5-7 record last season.
He was selected to WMU's head coach after spending one season as the offensive coordinator at Louisville. Prior to that he was the running backs coach and run game coordinator for three seasons at Notre Dame. Taylor also spent five years coaching in the NFL, spending 2013, 2017 and 2018 as the wide receivers coach for the Carolina Panthers and three years with the New York Jets in quality control. He also spent three seasons as the running backs coach at Stanford.
During his career, Taylor has been mentored by some of the best head coaches in college football history, spending two seasons as a graduate assistant at his alma mater under Nick Saban. He also spent three seasons on Brian Kelly's staff at Notre Dame.
John Shagonaby, who serves as the governmental affairs officer for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe), also serves on the WMU's WMU foundation board and the Native American Affairs Council attended Thursday's season opener.

"I am very excited and proud that Coach Lance Taylor is our new head football coach. He is the only division one Native American head football coach. I look forward to supporting his vision for our football program and developing top notch young men," Shagonably said to Native News Online.
In the stands to support Taylor were members of his family, including his wife Jamie, son Jet, and daughter Jemma. his parents and a brother.
Coach Taylor confers with referee Brad Brunet (Photo/Levi Rickert)
"It was it was very special having my parents here tonight. They've been such a big influence on my life. So many opportunities wouldn't be here today without their leadership and guidance and my life you've given me sacrificing so much to give me opportunities. So I love them and appreciate them. You know it's pretty pretty, pretty cool," Taylor said at the post-game press conference.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (June 22, 2025): D.C. Briefs
Read the Text of President Trump's Address to Nation on US Bombing Iran
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher