Defiance College starting women’s flag football program, alumni Cole Recker tabbed first head coach

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Defiance College is stepping into the NAIA's emerging landscape of women's flag football and will begin competition during the 2026-27 academic year, the DC Athletic Department announced on Tuesday. In addition to becoming the newest varsity sport at DC, former all-conference Yellow Jacket football player and two-time alum Cole Recker will serve as the team's first head coach.

Defiance becomes the newest NAIA school to join the women's flag football initiative, which has held emerging sport status since the summer of 2020. The NAIA has hosted an annual invitational since 2021 as the sport continues to grow towards full championship status.

Women's flag football is a 7-on-7 competition on a shorter (80 yards) and narrower field (40 yards) than a standard football field, placing an emphasis on speed, skill and strategy. The season will also be played during the spring, meaning the program will officially kick off in 2027. Women's flag football becomes the fourth new sport announced at Defiance in the last 14 months.

"We're incredibly excited to launch women's flag football here at Defiance College. This is a tremendous opportunity to expand our athletic offerings and be on the ground floor of the sport's growth at the NAIA level," said Tiffani Selhorst, Defiance College Athletic Director. "We're equally thrilled to welcome Cole Recker as the program's first head coach. As a recent graduate and former standout on our football team, Cole brings both a deep understanding of Defiance athletics and a contagious energy that will serve our student-athletes well. His passion for the game and connection to our campus community make him the ideal leader to launch this program."

Recker earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice in 2022 and earned his master's in business administration from Defiance as well in 2024. The Colorado native came to DC as a quarterback in 2019 after a redshirt season at Presentation College (Aberdeen, S.D.) in 2018. He moved to tight end as a senior in 2023 and was Second Team All-HCAC at the position with 16 receptions for 154 yards, along with one touchdown. He also handled all the punting duties during the season and averaged 34 yards per punt. After completing his playing career that included two seasons as a team captain, Recker joined the football coaching staff under Head Coach Bill Nickell as the Tight Ends/Fullbacks Coach in 2024. He will continue to serve on the football coaching staff during the tackle football season.

"I am very excited to have this opportunity to build this program from the ground up," said Recker. "I am thrilled to continue my time in Defiance and grow in a new role while helping the school succeed. Women's flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and Defiance is joining a short list of colleges that offer the sport. It is a fantastic opportunity for the school and community to create something special. We get to set the standard and have the responsibility to create a positive team culture and a winning mindset."

Prospective flag football student-athletes can begin the recruitment process by contacting Head Coach Cole Recker at crecker@defiance.edu and by applying to Defiance College at Defiance.edu.

-JACKETS-