Bio

The 2019 season will be Malen Luke's 14th season on Northwood’s staff.  After spending his first three years as the offensive coordinator, Luke is now in his 11th season at the helm of the defense.

During the 2017 season. Luke coached two of the top defensive players in the GLIAC last season in defensive end Charles Williams and safety Nick Tripp. Both players were named First Team All-GLIAC at the end of the season.

In 2016, the Northwood defense ranked seventh in the GLIAC in scoring (25.8 ppg).

The 2015 defense was strong once again for the Timberwolves. NU ranked third in the GLIAC in defensive points allowed per game (24.7 ppg). Northwood allowed 14 points or less in four games in 2015. Luke coached Michael Fisher to All-GLIAC honors for the third time in his career.

Northwood's defense took a major step forward in 2014, allowing 73 fewer points than the 2013 campaign. Five different players from the defense earned All-GLIAC honors in 2014.

Luke helped turn around the Northwood defense in 2009, moving the Timberwolves from 12th to 6th in total defense in the GLIAC.   NU had five All-GLIAC performers and was third in the league in rush defense (121.0 yards per game).

In his first three years with the Timberwolves, Luke has guided the Woodbone offense to a trio of highly successful seasons.  In 2006, Northwood finished second in the nation in rushing yards (264.7 per game).  The 2006 team was also one of the best teams in the country in terms of taking care of the football – NU was sixth in Division II with 14 turnovers in 11 games.  Five Timberwolves earned All-GLIAC honors after the season, including First Team honorees Torris Childs and Dan Marshall.

Luke came to Northwood after serving as the head coach at Clarion University for 11 seasons.  He guided the Golden Eagles to 57 victories, including an 11-3 mark in 1996.  That team claimed first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division (5-1) and earned a NCAA Playoff bid.  Luke’s squad made it all the way to the semifinals that season before falling to Northern Colorado 19-18.  His efforts that season earned Luke PSAC Coach of the Year honors.  Luke also guided the 2000 team to a PSAC-West title, finishing with a 5-1 record.  His teams at Clarion averaged nearly 30 points and over 400 yards of offense per game.

Prior to his time at Clarion, Luke was the head coach at Defiance College, where he won a school-record 37 games.  Over Luke’s final four seasons, Defiance went 33-7 (.825).

A native of Wellsboro, Pa., Luke graduated from Wellsboro High School in 1972 and from Westminster College in 1976.

Malen and his wife Hedy have two children – son Brock and daughter Quinn. Brock serves as the Co-Defensive Coordinator at Washburn University.