Brian Schwartze 
Football  Director of Operations

Brian Schwartze, most recently the vice president of player personnel and football operations in addition to duties as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Arena Football League’s Chicago Rush, is Iowa State’s director of football operations.

Schwartze’s Rush defenses led the AFL in scoring defense in 2007 and 2008. He originally was hired in 2003 as the team’s defensive backs coach.  The native of Vienna, Mo., added director of player personnel duties in 2005 and was promoted to vice president of player personnel and football operations in 2007.  

In Chicago, Schwartze coordinated the Rush’s player scouting and recruiting as well as the negotiation of player contracts.

Schwartze never missed the playoffs as an AFL/af2 coach, reaching the postseason nine-consecutive years and winning three championships (2006 Arena Bowl, 2000 and 2001 Arena Cup).

He spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons with the New Jersey/Las Vegas Gladiators as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach when the Gladiator defense ranked second in the league.

Schwartze was the assistant head coach of the Quad City Steamwheelers in af2 for two seasons (2000-2001), winning a pair of af2 Arena Cup championships. He spent one season at Western Washington (1998) as secondary coach and recruiting coordinator and one season at Drake (1999) as tight ends coach.

Schwartze served as offensive coordinator and backfield coach at Kemper Junior College in Booneville, Mo, in 1997. He began his coaching career at Northwest Missouri State as the wide receivers coach (1995-96) while also earning a master’s degree in physical education and athletic administration in 1997.

Schwartze was a three-year starter at wide receiver for Central Methodist University (1992-1995) and a three-time academic All-America selection for the Eagles. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and health in 1995.

Mark Alleyne
Assistant Director of Football Operations

Markus Alleyne was hired as assistant director of football operations in June. Alleyne was previously at Akron, where he worked the last four seasons. Alleyne, a native of Montreal, served as Akron’s director of player relations the last two seasons. He spent his initial two UA campaigns as a football operations assistant. Alleyne also coordinated the Zips’ community service projects.

In his position at Akron, he helped with the administrative duties, including coordination of team travel, summer camps and recruiting visits. Alleyne also served as the UA football program’s liaison with the NFL. In addition, he was the school’s academic support services contact.

Prior to joining the Akron staff Alleyne was an intern under the assistant general manager for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He also served an internship at the McGill University Sports Complex, and worked extensively with the YMCA Montreal.

Alleyne is fluent in both English and French.

Alleyne has a degree in recreation administration from Concordia University (Montreal), and a business administration degree from Vanier College (Montreal). In December of 2007, Alleyne received his master’s degree in sport management from Akron.

Nick Uhlenhopp 
Assistant Recruiting Coordinator

A native of Nevada, Iowa, Nick Uhlenhopp is in his first season on the Iowa State football staff as an assistant recruiting coordinator. The 2002 Graceland graduate spent the last three years as the director of football operations at Western Kentucky after working five seasons in the Boston College football office.

Gerrit Chernoff 
Associate for Football Operations 

Gerrit Chernoff is in his second year with the Iowa State football program as an assistant for recruiting and operations. Chernoff spent one season with the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. A 2008 graduate of Michigan, Chernoff was head manager for two seasons on the Wolverine men’s basketball program.