RIVER FALLS, Wis. —  UW-River Falls interim head football coach Jake Wissing has announced the addition of Ryley Bailey, Rex Desso and Riley Bardes, finalizing the Falcons' coaching staff for the 2026 season, which includes several returning members in new roles.

Wissing stepped into the interim head coach role following the resignation of Matt Walker. A 15-year member of the Falcon coaching staff, Wissing spent the past five seasons as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach after previously serving nine seasons as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

Bailey will serve as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Desso will coach tight ends, and Bardes will oversee the offensive line and run game.

Alex Wood, who completed his fifth season on staff in 2025, assumes the role of defensive coordinator after serving as the Falcons' defensive backs coach since 2021. A former standout player at UW-River Falls from 2015-18, Wood has helped develop one of the top secondaries in Division III, highlighted by a 2025 season in which the Falcons led the nation with 40 turnovers gained, including 29 interceptions. During WIAC play, UWRF ranked first in total defense (281.1 yards per game), rushing defense (58.9), and scoring defense (15.7).

"I'm extremely excited to solidify this staff," Wissing said. "The quality of coaches, both joining and remaining on our staff, is outstanding and will help push this program forward. They bring tremendous football knowledge, but more importantly, they are high-character individuals who will do a great job leading our players."

Bailey arrives at UW-River Falls after four seasons at UW-Platteville as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He helped guide the Pioneers to the 2024 WIAC Championship and the program's first NCAA playoff appearance since 2016. Platteville led the WIAC in passing offense in both 2019 and 2021, with four receivers earning All-WIAC honors during that span.

A 2014 graduate of UW-Platteville, Bailey was a wide receiver for the Pioneers and totaled more than 1,000 career receiving yards. He also served as head coach at Platteville High School, compiling a 15–5 record over two seasons and earning Southwest Wisconsin Coach of the Year honors after a conference championship season in 2017.

"Coach Bailey brings outstanding experience and a deep understanding of WIAC football," Wissing said. "He knows what it takes to win championships in this league."

Desso joins the Falcons after spending the 2025 season as wide receivers coach at Grand View University, where he helped lead the Vikings to a 14–0 record and an NAIA national championship. A graduate of Macalester College, Desso was a two-time MIAC First Team All-Conference wide receiver (2021, 2022) and set multiple school records for receptions.

Bardes comes to UW-River Falls following one season at Waldorf University. Prior to that, he spent two seasons at Eastern Washington as assistant offensive line coach and senior analyst, helping guide an offense that ranked among the top 10 nationally in rushing offense (229.3), total offense (444.3), and scoring (35.8) during the 2022 season.

A graduate of Western Oregon, Bardes earned his degree in exercise science and competed for the university's rugby program, helping lead the team to a top-five national ranking in 2019.

The Falcons also retained several members of the 2025 staff, with multiple coaches assuming new roles.

2026 UW-River Falls Football Coaching Staff
Jake Wissing | Interim Head Coach/Linebackers
Alex Wood | Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Defensive Backs Coach
Ryley Bailey | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
Riley Bardes | Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator
Scott Imrie | Running Backs Coach
Rex Desso | Offensive Assistant Coach
Connor Develice | Offensive Assistant Coach
Aaron Borgerding | Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties Coach
Michael Brown | Cornerback Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Pete Range | Defensive Line Coach
Michael Noll | Defensive Line Coach
Ethan Wegscheider | Defensive Assistant
Kevin Spahn | Offensive Assistant
Alex Klecker | Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Craig Miles | Assistant Coach
Tate Schuman | Equipment Manager
Kallie Beissel | Director of Football Operations

The 2025 season marked the most successful campaign in program history, as the Falcons finished 14–1, captured the WIAC championship, and won the NCAA Division III national title.