Appleton, Wis. -- Mike Barthelmess and Byron Abram have joined the Lawrence University football coaching staff, Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski announced Wednesday. 

Barthelmess will serve as associate head coach and offensive coordinator and Abram will coach the wide receivers under sixth-year head coach Chris Howard.

"Mike brings a wealth of experience in coaching at the collegiate level and expertise in strategy on the offensive side of the ball. Bryon will be another asset for our offense as well as an ideal fit to assist in the recruitment of Chicago-area prospects," Szkodzinski said. "Both coaches bring an enormous amount of energy to the office every day and a professional demeanor that will not only enhance LU football but LU athletics as a whole."

A native of Weston, Conn., Barthelmess returns to Lawrence after serving as the interim head baseball coach in 2008. Barthelmess, who has been working in the private sector since then, brings more than two decades of coaching experience to the Vikings.

A 1983 graduate of Principia College, Barthelmess served as his alma mater's head football coach for nine seasons in two different stints. He coached the Panthers from 1990-95 and again from 2003-06. A football and baseball star during his playing days at Principia, Barthelmess also served as the Panthers' head baseball coach for five seasons.

"I feel blessed to be in the position that I find myself in," Barthelmess said. "I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work side by side with Chris Howard and the fine staff that he is putting together."

Abram comes to Lawrence from the University of Southern Oregon, where he was the wide receivers coach last fall. A 2008 graduate of the University of Dubuque, Abram coached with the Spartans after graduation. A native of Country Club Hills, Ill., Abram spent the 2008 season at Dubuque, where he was a graduate assistant and coached the wide receivers. He also served as the junior varsity offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

"It's a privilege and an honor to be a part of a football program and university like Lawrence," Abram said. "I'm very anxious and excited for the opportunity to work with Coach Howard and the rest of our offensive staff."

Barthelmess and Abram join full-time assistant coaches Chris Knapp and Jason Anderson on the football staff.

"The backgrounds that both coaches have on the offensive side of the ball should provide Lawrence with a sound philosophy to further our competitive goals in this conference," Howard said. "These guys have actually coached offenses that achieved the kind of offensive statistics we are looking for."

Lawrence opens its season at the College of St. Scholastica on Sept. 4.