Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton College football coach Jesse Scott has announced some updates to the Thunder coaching staff for the 2024 season. James Houck moves to a new role as offensive coordinator, and Wyatt Lee will serve in a full-time capacity as a defensive assistant coach.

Houck (PICTURED LEFT) takes over as offensive coordinator for Andrew Bowers who served in that role for the past two seasons. Houck has served as an assistant coach at Wheaton since the 2017 season. A 2014 graduate of Wheaton, Houck played four years at wide receiver for the Thunder football team.

As wide receivers coach for the Thunder the past few seasons, Houck has been a key part of the high-powered Wheaton offense. This fall as wide receivers coach, Houck helped mentor Ben Bonga and Seth Kortenhoeven as they became the first Thunder wide receiver duo to earn First Team All-CCIW honors since 2012. Bonga also earned First Team All-Region honors from D3football.com as his 79 receptions for 1,035 yards were both the most for a Wheaton receiver since 2008.

Houck was a key part of a Thunder offensive staff In 2023 that helped guide the unit to 6,012 yards of total offense to set a new school record. The Thunder offense averaged 501.0 yards per game for another school record. The Wheaton offense ranked ninth in Division III in scoring (46.0 PPG) this year and was 10th in total offense. In 2022, the Thunder offense ranked in the top-five in Division III in both total offense and scoring. 

Jesse Scott comments, "James is excited for this opportunity and, just as importantly, he is ready.  In evaluating who would be the next to lead our offense, it was important to me to maintain continuity, hire someone familiar with what we do and who is ambitious to see our offense continue to grow.  Additionally, it was important to me to hire someone who loves, embraces, and is committed to the whole mission of our program. That is Coach Houck - I'm excited for him to step into this role and lead our offense."

Lee (PICTURED RIGHT) moves into a full-time role as a defensive assistant coach. He joined the Thunder coaching staff in 2022 following his graduation from Wheaton in December of 2021. He has served in a variety of roles the past two seasons as a Thunder assistant coach.

Lee competed at linebacker for the Thunder from 2019-21, after transferring from Lawrence University. He earned Third Team All-Region honors from D3football in 2021, also earning All-CCIW accolades for the second time in his career. He served as a team captain as a senior in 2021, helping to lead a Wheaton defense that led Division III in sacks, and was second in rushing defense. At the conclusion of the 2021 campaign, Lee received the program's James Parmalee "Most Respected Player Award". 

Scott states, "Wyatt is a gifted young coach. In his first two years on staff he has already taken on increased roles within special teams, our defense, and strength and conditioning. More importantly, he is driven by the big picture of Wheaton Football – he earnestly pursues excellence in all that he does and wants that for our program. I am excited for Coach Lee to take this step within our staff."