Stony Brook University Head Football Coach Billy Cosh announced on Jan. 7, 2026, the hiring of Will Ahrens as the program’s Offensive Line Coach. Ahrens brings experience as both a player and coach at the Division I level, with stops at Western Michigan University and the University of Richmond.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join Stony Brook Football and excited to get started,” Ahrens said. “I believe in what this program is building and look forward to helping our players grow, compete, and succeed.”
During the 2025 season at Western Michigan, Ahrens helped the Broncos capture the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship, finishing 10–4 overall and 7–1 in conference play. WMU defeated Miami (OH) 23–13 in the MAC Championship Game and went on to win the Myrtle Beach Bowl 41–6, rushing for 303 yards in the victory. The Broncos ranked second in the MAC in rushing offense, first in penalty yardage discipline, and second in third-down conversion rate. Under his guidance, Chad Shuster and Raheem Anderson earned First Team All-MAC honors.
“Excited to have Will on staff, as we’ve worked together on two previous occasions,” said Coach Cosh. “He’s a great teacher and communicator, and we look forward to him enhancing our offensive line play.”
In January 2023, Ahrens joined Western Michigan as Assistant Offensive Line Coach. In 2024, he helped guide an offensive line unit that finished first in the MAC and second in FBS (PFF grading), while coaching three offensive linemen ranked in the top 15 nationally. The unit helped Western Michigan finish as the top-scoring team in the conference. He coached Addison West, the No. 1 graded player in FBS across all positions, a 2024 Consensus All-American and Outland Trophy semifinalist, as well as Jake Gideon, a Rimington Trophy finalist and two-time All-MAC selection.
Ahrens also led position meetings, coordinated scout team work, assisted with game planning, and contributed to recruiting efforts, including prospect evaluation, camp organization, and recruiting profile development.
Following his playing career at Richmond, Ahrens served as a Defensive Assistant with the Spiders in 2022–23, working with defensive tackles. His responsibilities included leading position meetings, managing practice schedules, organizing prospect camps, identifying opponent run schemes and defensive line rotations from the press box on game days, and assisting with opponent scouting. He helped Richmond finish top 10 nationally in scoring defense (FCS), top 20 in total and rush defense, and first in rushing defense in the CAA. He directly coached CAA All-Conference selections Marlem Louis, Jeremiah Grant, and Ray Eldridge.
Ahrens played at the University of Richmond from 2019–21 as a tight end and defensive tackle. He earned Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll recognition and the University of Richmond Scholar-Athlete Award in 2021–22.
