SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – American International College head football coach Dan Chipka announced the addition of four assistant coaches this spring, all on the offensive side of the ball, including Connor Floden as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, while retaining the entire defensive staff heading into the 2026 season.
Along with Floden, the Yellow Jackets added Marcus Price (running backs), Rickeem Jackson (wide receivers), and AJ Locke (assistant wide receivers).
"We are excited about the staff we have assembled here at AIC," said Chipka. "This group is made up of outstanding teachers, relentless recruiters, and high-character men who are fully committed to developing our student-athletes both on and off the field. There is tremendous alignment within this staff, and we are excited about the direction of our program."
OFFENSIVE STAFF
Dan Chipka
Chipka resumes offensive play-calling duties for the Yellow Jackets in 2026 after spending last season working primarily with the offensive line. He will also coach the quarterbacks this fall. The 2026 season marks Chipka's fifth year at AIC and his third season as head coach, including one year as interim head coach, providing stability to a program that saw four head coaches in a two-year span.
During his tenure, the Yellow Jackets have shown steady offensive growth, highlighted by improvements in the rushing attack, completion percentage, and explosive plays (gains of 15 yards or more). Prior to becoming head coach, Chipka served as an assistant coach on offense and special teams following a stint at Wingate University. He began his collegiate coaching career at Wingate after eight seasons as a high school head coach at St. Francis de Sales and Waite High Schools in Toledo, Ohio, where he led program rebuilds at both stops.
Connor Floden
Floden arrives in Springfield to coordinate the offense and coach the offensive line after spending the 2025 season at William Penn University in the same role. At William Penn, he helped develop multiple All-Conference performers on offense.
Prior to William Penn, Floden gained experience at Davenport University, Sam Houston State University, Wagner College, and the University of Rhode Island, working in a variety of offensive roles that included running backs, tight ends, fullbacks, and offensive quality
control responsibilities. Across those stops, he contributed to game planning, player development, and scouting preparation, and will look to maximize the experience and depth returning along the Yellow Jackets' offensive front this fall.
Marcus Price
Price joins the Yellow Jackets after spending the 2025 season at Bryant University as an offensive quality control assistant and assistant running backs coach. Prior to Bryant, he spent two seasons at Worcester State University coaching the running backs following several years at the high school level in Massachusetts.
Throughout his coaching career, Price has developed multiple all-star running backs while helping lead one of the top rushing offenses in the MASCAC. He also brings strong recruiting ties throughout Central and Eastern Massachusetts along with Rhode Island to the AIC staff.
Rickeem Jackson
Jackson joins the Yellow Jackets' staff after most recently serving as an offensive analyst at the University of Pittsburgh following an NFL Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Internship with the Miami Dolphins. A former wide receiver at Robert Morris University, Jackson also brings experience as a co- defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Lake Erie College, while also serving time as head coach and coordinator at Glades Central High school in Pahokee, Florida.
Known for his strong recruiting ties throughout South Florida and his ability to build relationships with student-athletes, Jackson will lead the Yellow Jackets' wide receiver unit entering the 2026 season.
AJ Locke
Locke joins the Yellow Jackets as assistant wide receivers coach after most recently serving in the same role at Florida A&M (FAMU). Prior to FAMU, he gained experience at Coffeyville Community College and Penn State University while also serving as head coach and program director for LIVE7v7.
A rising young coach in the profession, Locke brings strong energy and experience in player development and recruiting to the AIC staff while assisting in the development of the Yellow Jackets' receiving corps entering the 2026 season.
DEFENSIVE STAFF
Michael Blochowski
Blochowski returns for his third season as AIC's defensive coordinator and safeties coach after overseeing a dramatic improvement in nearly every statistical category during the 2025 season. He led the NE10 in total defense, opponent first downs, and third-down defense. The Yellow Jackets also finished No. 1 nationally in opponent first downs allowed, No. 7 in third-down defense, No. 14 in total defense, and No. 22 in rushing defense.
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Blochowski served in multiple roles at St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo, Ohio, including head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator. St. Francis won the 2001 OHSAA Division II State Championship during his tenure. It was there that he began working with Coach Chipka, and together they helped engineer a rapid program turnaround. Blochowski will look to continue elevating the defense with six returning starters in 2026.
Dan Wollman
The 2026 season marks Wollman's fourth year with the Yellow Jackets and his longest tenure as an assistant coach amongst the staff. Wollman will once again serve as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach.
Under his direction, the linebacker unit has developed into one of the strengths of the team. Last season, Jakkai Stith earned Second Team All-Conference honors, while Mikai Gamble earned All-Rookie Team recognition. In 2026, Wollman will aim to build on a defense that ranked No. 22 nationally in rushing defense last season.
Adrian Medley
Medley returns for his second season at AIC after helping lead a strong defensive line unit that anchored one of the top defenses in the NE10 during the 2025 season. His group played a key role in the program's defensive turnaround across all major statistical categories.
"Coach Medley does a tremendous job developing our players both on and off the field," said Chipka. "He embodies exactly what we want in our program by demanding accountability, toughness, and consistency every day."
Now entering his second season with the Yellow Jackets, Medley will look to continue developing a defensive front that returns significant experience heading into the fall.
Full staff bios can be found at aicyellowjackets.com.
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