Dan Hawkins, the former head coach at Boise State and Colorado, will lead the 2015 U.S. Men’s National Team in the fifth International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Senior World Championship July 4-18 in Stockholm, Sweden.  USA Football has assembled America’s national teams in the sport for international competition since 2007.

The IFAF Senior World Championship is a 12-nation football tournament held every four years since 1999. All games will be played at Tele2 Arena in Stockholm. The United States defeated Canada, 50-7, in Vienna, Austria, for the 2011 gold medal. The U.S. beat Japan, 23-20, in double overtime in Kawasaki, Japan, to win the 2007 tournament, the first that included Team USA. Prior to the United States’ participation, Japan earned gold medals at the first two IFAF Senior World Championships played in Palermo, Italy (1999), and Frankfurt, Germany (2003).

IFAF is composed of 67 member countries spanning six continents that possess national federations dedicated to American football. Among the world’s fastest-growing international federations of sport, IFAF has grown from 21 member nations in 2006.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted IFAF provisional IOC recognition in December 2013. A vote on football becoming an Olympic sport could take place as early as 2017. If approved, football would join the Summer Olympics lineup in 2024 at a host city yet to be determined.

Hawkins was 53-11 at Boise State from 2001-05, winning four consecutive Western Athletic Conference titles. His teams compiled a 31-game WAC winning streak, the longest in conference history. His five seasons at Colorado (2006-10) included a win over No. 3 Oklahoma in 2007, the same year he led the Buffaloes to the Independence Bowl. Prior to Boise State, Hawkins coached Willamette University in Salem, Ore., to a 40-12-1 record from 1993-97, earning two conference titles and a 1997 NAIA championship game berth. Currently serving as a college football analyst for ESPN and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Hawkins also was the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2013.

Hawkins’ son, Cody Hawkins, started at quarterback for the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2011 and was named to the championship’s all-tournament team.

“I am extremely humbled and honored to be selected to lead the 2015 U.S. Men’s National Team,” Dan Hawkins said. “After watching the 2011 squad in action in Austria, I am excited about being part of the program in Stockholm. Representing our country and USA Football while further strengthening our game internationally is a unique and special opportunity.”

“Coach Hawkins personifies the values one would expect from a U.S. national team, and we’re proud to have him represent USA Football and our country,” USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said. “This team will be well prepared to defend our gold medal against the strongest competition this world championship will have seen to date.”

Competing with the United States in Sweden will be Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Sweden. Morocco and Egypt will compete in December for Africa’s bid, while Brazil and Panama will play in January for the final Americas spot. The 12 teams will be divided into four pools. Two pool games will determine the final brackets with the pool winners competing in the medal round.

The U.S. coaching staff will be announced later this year, and the U.S. roster is expected to be announced in March.

USA Football is accepting nominations for athletes age 20 and older to be part of the Men’s National Team. Forty-five (45) players will be selected from current NCAA athletes and graduating college seniors as well as other athletes age 20 and older. The NCAA recognizes USA Football as the sport’s national governing body. Participation in USA Football’s national teams does not affect collegiate eligibility. A training camp will take place June 28 to July 4 prior to Team USA’s departure for Austria.