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John Noel
Head Coach | Defensive Coordinator
E-mail: jnoel@hilbert.edu
Phone: 716-926-8777
Alma Mater: Central Methodist College, '00
3rd year at Hilbert
TWITTER: @CoachNoel716
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John Noel recently served as the defensive coordinator at Erie Community College after two stops working with semi-professional football teams. He was announced as the Defensive Line coach for Ted Egger's staff on June 27, 2023.
Noel was the vice president of player personnel and defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the River City Raider (St. Charles, MO) Indoor Professional Football league (2015-16) after he served as an assistant coach for the Tennessee Valley Vipers in the Areana Football League (2006-07).
The Missouri native got his first taste of coaching at NAIA Cumberland University (TN), where he did a little bit of everything right out of the gate. He spent another ten years coaching, teaching, and serving as an athletic administrator at Missouri Military Academy, Layman Ward Military Academy (AL) and Westminster Christian Academy (AL) before jumping into the professional leagues
Noel earned a History degree with a minor in education from Central Methodist College in 2000. He will collect his graduate degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University in the Fall 2023 semester.
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Ethan Sheirer
Assistant Head Coach | Offensive Coordinator | Offensive Line Coach | Recruiting Coordinator
E-mail: esheirer@hilbert.edu
Phone: (716) 926-8802 ext. 157
Alma Mater: Lake Forest College, '19
1st year at Hilbert
TWITTER: @Coach_Sheirer
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Ethan Sheirer joins the Hawks after a successful tenure at multiple collegiate programs across the country, bringing with him extensive experience in offensive line development, recruiting operations, and program-building at the Division I and Division III levels.
Sheirer’s most recent stint came at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he served as Offensive Line Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, Director of social media, and Strength & Conditioning Liaison. In that multifaceted role, he led all aspects of offensive line development, designed and executed practice plans, evaluated recruiting prospects nationwide, and enhanced the program’s digital presence. He also played a key role in aligning training initiatives between the football staff and strength personnel to support optimal player performance.
Prior to his time at Ohio Wesleyan, Sheirer spent one season serving as an Offensive Line Graduate Assistant at Boston College. There, he helped guide one of the ACC’s most productive offensive line units, working closely with First Team All-ACC selections Ozzy Trapilo and Drew Kendall, both of whom were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Eagles capped his tenure with a postseason appearance in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.
Sheirer also spent three seasons at the University at Buffalo, where he rose from Special Teams Quality Control to Senior Special Teams Analyst and ultimately to Offensive Line Graduate Assistant. His work with UB’s specialists contributed to national recognition, including All-MAC selections, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, and multiple school record-breaking performances. He played an integral role in film analysis, game-day execution, practice planning, and recruiting across various territories.
Before entering Division I coaching, Sheirer began his career at the University of Jamestown, serving as Running Backs Graduate Assistant and later as Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach. In addition to mentoring the running backs unit, he coordinated scout defense, led extensive recruiting territories, and contributed to the program’s academic and player-development systems.
A center at Lake Forest College, Sheirer was a standout student-athlete and team captain during his collegiate playing career. He earned First Team All-Conference honors and was voted both Team Captain and Most Valuable Player by his teammates.
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Sean McKeone
Assistant Football Coach
E-mail: smckeone@hilbert.edu
Phone:
Alma Mater: Stetson
1st year at Hilbert
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Head Football Coach John Noel announced the hiring of Sean McKeone as Assistant Football coach on July 2nd, 2026
McKeone brings a decade of collegiate coaching experience spanning NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III football. His background includes extensive work in offensive game planning, quarterback development, recruiting, player development, and coaching multiple positions.
Prior to joining Hilbert, Sean McKeone served at the University at Buffalo, where he most recently held the role of Offensive Analyst, Assistant Quarterbacks Coach, and Assistant Director of Recruiting. In that capacity, he worked closely with the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks, managed offensive scouting and game preparation, evaluated and recruited prospective student-athletes, and contributed to the Bulls' 9-4 season and Bahamas Bowl victory in 2024. He also spent three seasons as Buffalo's Offensive Quality Control coach, assisting with tight ends, offensive operations, and recruiting efforts during the program's 2022 Camellia Bowl championship season.
Before Buffalo, Sean McKeone was the Graduate Assistant Wide Receivers Coach at Valdosta State University, where he helped lead the Blazers to a Gulf South Conference Championship and an undefeated regular season in 2019 while coaching multiple All-Conference receivers. His coaching journey also includes stops at Hiram College, the Tropical Bowl, and Stetson University, where he began his career as a student assistant.
"Sean's background, knowledge and personality are a perfect fit for our program," said Noel. "He, along with our offensive coordinator Ethan Sheirer, will help elevate our offense while building strong relationships with our players."
Sean McKeone holds a Masters degree from Valdosta State University and a Bachelors degree in Sports Business from Stetson University.
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Kooper Aiken
Assistant Football Coach | Defensive Line Coach
E-mail:
Phone:
Alma Mater: Hilbert, '26
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Sean Hill
Assistant Football Coach | Wide Receivers Coach
E-mail: shill@hilbert.edu
Phone:
Alma Mater: Tulsa
1st year at Hilbert
TWITTER:
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Nick Blake
Graduate Assistant | Defensive Backs Coach
E-mail: nblake@hilbert.edu
Phone:
Alma Mater: Stephen F. Austin
1st year at Hilbert
TWITTER:
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Nick Stein
Student Manager
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updated June 2026
