Augustana University Athletics

Recruiting Areas: Wisconsin, Northern Illinois

Mark Sipple joined the Augustana coaching staff as the defensive coordinator prior to Spring Ball in 2020 after spending six years in the same position at St. Cloud State.

In 2023, Sipple earned NSIC Assistant Coach of the Year honors while leading one of the best units in the country. His defense allowed just 16 points per game while his rushing defense currently ranked ninth nationally by allowing just 82.8 yards per outing in the regular season. Seven players earned All-NSIC honors on the defensice side of the ball while Peyton Buckley earned an All-American nod. He became first Augustana football coach to earn the award from the NSIC.
 
In 2022, both of Augustana’s AFCA All-America honorees came on the defensive side with Eli Weber and Grayson Diepenbrock earning the prestigious accolades. Within his position group, Weber was well awarded as First Team All-NSIC, D2CCA All-Region and D2Football Elite 100 honors. In addition, he tutored Peyton Buckley to All-NSIC accolades for the second-straight year.

With the 2020 season canceled, he coached his first game action as part of the 2021 NSIC Championship team. His defense was among the best in the nation, leading all of DII in rushing defense. The Vikings allowed just 41.8 rushing yards per game. His scoring defense ranked second in the NSIC, allowing just 21.4 points per game. At the defensive back position, Peyton Buckley was named the NSIC South Division Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
 
In his final season at SCSU, Sipple’s defense led the NSIC with nine tackles for loss per game, a mark that ranked ninth in the nation.
 
Prior to his stint with the Huskies, Sipple spent 11 years as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He coached a pair of BluGolds to D3football.com Al-America selections while helping lead to ana appearance in the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
 
Sipple also has coaching stops at Wisconsin Lutheran (1998-03) where he helped start the football program and North Dakota (1996-98). A graduate of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Sipple earned a degree in secondary math education while earning a minor in psychology in 1996. He garnered a master’s degree in educational administration from North Dakota in 1996.
 
Mark and his wife, Sara, are the parents to Lydia and Isaak. Isaak is a member of the Augustana football team.