Spring comes early for Falcon Football Published Feb. 25, 2015 By John Van Winkle U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Spring football is underway at the U.S. Air Force Academy, with new names on the coaching roster and a team hungry to repeat its 2014 success. Graduation opens up several starting positions including quarterback, three offensive line positions, two defensive line slots, two linebackers, two defensive backs, punter, kicker and longsnapper. With a strong sophomore and freshman presence, competition for spots on the two-deep roster is expected to be heavy at many positions until the Sept. 5 season opener. Meanwhile, coaching changes bring two new faces to the Academy's coaching ranks and a shift in duties for others. Falcon Football head coach Troy Calhoun announced the addition of Steed Lobotzke and Derek Lewis as offensive assistant coaches Feb. 18. Longtime assistant coach Mike Thiessen, Academy Class of '01, who served as the 2014 offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach, moved to quarterbacks coach, a position he played as a cadet. Lewis will be the new wide receiver coach and Lobotzke will handle the tight end cadre. The talkative and animated Lewis brings his passion to the wide receiver corps, concentrating on a tough-love approach with a Super Bowl ring and NFL experience to back it up. Lewis is a 1988 graduate of the University of Texas. After a four-year college career as a receiving tight end, he spent two seasons on the St. Louis Rams roster and played on the Super Bowl XXXIV championship team. After his pro career, Lewis served as a graduate assistant at Texas, defensive ends coach at North Texas and tight ends and assistant special teams coach at Minnesota. Most recently, he was the tight ends coach at the University of Florida, with one of his protégés becoming a third-round pick by the Washington Redskins in 2013. Lobotzke, Academy Class of '92, brings a depth of offensive knowledge to his alma mater. The collegiate offensive lineman served as a graduate assistant at the Academy for a year, fulfilled his active duty obligation and rejoined the collegiate coaching ranks. He joined the Ohio University staff as an assistant coach, moved to Wake Forest as an assistant coach for two years, and spent a decade as that school's offensive coordinator. Lobotzke was most recently at Winston-Salem state as the offensive coordinator, helping the Rams to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship. He spearheaded the Rams offense, recording eight-straight 400-plus yard games. Winston-Salem State ended the year with a number 10 national ranking. Lobotzke, Lewis, and the rest of the Falcons coaching staff are shaping the foundation of their 2015 team. Remaining practices are scheduled Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, March 7, 9, 11, 17 and 18. These dates are subject to change. No announcement has been made on the final practice's location or format. In past years, the team held a blue and silver scrimmage sometimes at downtown high school stadiums. That final practice is scheduled March 18, which will allow the Falcons to wrap up spring football before spring break. Falcon Football resumes practice in August. The Falcon Football home opener is here Sept. 5 against the Morgan State Bears. The Falcons head to East Lansing, Mich., to take on the Michigan State Spartans Sept. 19 before going to Navy Oct. 3 to defend the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. The team finishes their trophy defense against Army here Nov. 7. The Mountain West portion of the Falcons' schedule will be announced later this year. Barring in a change in the MW schedule between the conference's Mountain and the West division teams, the Falcons are slated to host games against Fresno State, San Jose State, Utah and Wyoming, and play away games at Boise State, Colorado State, Hawaii and New Mexico.