Recruiting Areas: Denver Metro, Aurora; South Houston, Southern California
Anthony Makransky joined the Mines coaching staff as a defensive assistant in the winter of 2020 and was promoted the defensive backs coach prior to the 2021 season and defensive pass game coordinator in 2023. The former Oredigger cornerback was a two-time all-RMAC selection after transferring from Wyoming, and made 68 tackles with 24 pass break-ups and two interceptions in his two years at Mines.
In his first season as the DBs coach, Makransky's unit was a key part of one of the nation's best defenses as they produced 18 interceptions - sixth-best in the nation - and helped Mines rank in the national top 20 in passing efficiency defense. Safeties Jaden Williams and Kobe Brewster, and corners Cam Forrest and Mason Pierce, each earned all-RMAC honors.
In 2022, the Mines secondary was led by all-American cornerback Mason Pierce as the defense generated 15 interceptions, again ranking in the top 20 nationally. All four secondary starters earned all-RMAC honors for the second straight year including Pierce on the first team, Forrest and Williams on the second team, and Logan Rayburn as honorable mention.
Makransky's 2023 secondary helped limit opponents to 174 passing yards and less than one touchdown per game, led by all-American cornerback Jackson Zimmermann and all-region safety Jaden Williams. Mines ranked 14th nationally in interceptions, third in scoring defense, and 10th in passing efficiency defense. In 2024, Zimmermann earned all-RMAC honors along with safeties Joel Diaz and Will Ramsey.
Makransky won a pair of RMAC titles as a player in 2018 and 2019, and three more as a coach in 2021, 2022, and 2023 along with three NCAA Super Region IV titles and appearances in the 2022 and 2023 national title games.
A native of Friendswood, Texas, Makransky earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming, and received his master's degree in mineral and energy economics from Mines in 2019.
