Nebraska Wesleyan University Men's Football

Keller, the all-time winningest football coach in Nebraska Wesleyan history, will enter his 21st season at the helm of his alma mater in 2016. Keller has a career record of 108-93 in 20 seasons. His teams have put together winning records in 15 of the 20 seasons under Keller. Last season, Keller led the Prairie Wolves to a 4-6 overall record, including two victories over NAIA Top 25 nationally-ranked teams.  Three straight years Keller has guided the Prairie Wolves to upsets of nationally-ranked opponents.  In the previous season Keller coached the State College Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year as well as the College Division CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year.  He also has 12 players named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, the second highest total of any school in the country. Keller led the Prairie Wolves to a 6-4 overall record in 2013, including two victories over NAIA Top 25 nationally-ranked opponents.  NWU was 6-3 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference to finish fourth in the league standings with their best GPAC record since 2008. In both 2011 and 2012 NWU led the entire nation in number of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans producing seven in 2011 and five in 2012. From 2000-09 Keller coached the NWU football program to 10 consecutive seasons with a .500 or better record. In 2008, Keller guided the Prairie Wolves to their third straight 7-3 record giving NWU three straight years with seven wins for the first time since 1989-91. Kellers career has produced 30 NAIA All-Americans and 33 Academic All-Americans in his tenure. In his 20 previous seasons, he has orchestrated six of the top 10 most productive offenses in team history and coached NWUs all-time leading rusher, leading passer, the top three leading receivers and the schools all-time leader in career pass completions. As an offensive line coach, Keller has tutored 12 All-Americans, as well as the National Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1998. During his 20 years as head coach, Keller has had 62 players earn 1st-Team All-Conference honors.  Ten players have been named NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients. In 2000, Keller was named GPAC Co-Coach of the Year after he guided the Prairie Wolves to a share of the league title, the teams first NAIA playoff berth since 1991 and an overall record of 8-3. The Seward, Neb., native was a four-year letter winner for Nebraska Wesleyan as a defensive lineman and linebacker from 1979 to 1982. After graduating in 1983 with a B.S. in Business Administration, Keller began his coaching career at Seward High School, where he worked with receivers and outside linebackers. In 1984, Keller joined the Nebraska Wesleyan coaching staff as an assistant to Orson Christensen. Keller coached the offensive line for three years as the team won six games each season, compiling an overall mark of 18-12. Keller then followed Christensen to Eastern Oregon State College in LaGrande, Ore., where he began his preparation for a head coaching position. In nine seasons at Eastern Oregon State, Keller served as offensive line coach and coordinated the special teams, recruitment and strength training for the Mountaineers. He was promoted to assistant head coach before accepting the opening at Nebraska Wesleyan. At Eastern Oregon State, Keller obtained his masters degree in Education in 1991, compiling a 4.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). Aside from his duties as head football coach, Keller is an instructor in the Department of Health and Human Performance. He and his wife, Jeanette, have three sons, Crew (a senior on the NWU football team), Braly (a freshman on the NWU football team) and Quinn. Coach Keller's Record at NWU Brian Keller Head Football Coach Brian Keller, the all-time winningest football coach in Nebraska Wesleyan history, will enter his 21st season at the helm of his alma mater in 2016. Keller has a career record of 108-93 in 20 seasons. His teams have put together winning records in 15 of the 20 seasons under Keller. Last season, Keller led the Prairie Wolves to a 4-6 overall record, including two victories over NAIA Top 25 nationally-ranked teams.  Three straight years Keller has guided the Prairie Wolves to upsets of nationally-ranked opponents.  In the previous season Keller coached the State College Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year as well as the College Division CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year.  He also has 12 players named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, the second highest total of any school in the country. Keller led the Prairie Wolves to a 6-4 overall record in 2013, including two victories over NAIA Top 25 nationally-ranked opponents.  NWU was 6-3 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference to finish fourth in the league standings with their best GPAC record since 2008. In both 2011 and 2012 NWU led the entire nation in number of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans producing seven in 2011 and five in 2012. From 2000-09 Keller coached the NWU football program to 10 consecutive seasons with a .500 or better record. In 2008, Keller guided the Prairie Wolves to their third straight 7-3 record giving NWU three straight years with seven wins for the first time since 1989-91. Kellers career has produced 30 NAIA All-Americans and 33 Academic All-Americans in his tenure. In his 20 previous seasons, he has orchestrated six of the top 10 most productive offenses in team history and coached NWUs all-time leading rusher, leading passer, the top three leading receivers and the schools all-time leader in career pass completions. As an offensive line coach, Keller has tutored 12 All-Americans, as well as the National Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1998. During his 20 years as head coach, Keller has had 62 players earn 1st-Team All-Conference honors.  Ten players have been named NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients. In 2000, Keller was named GPAC Co-Coach of the Year after he guided the Prairie Wolves to a share of the league title, the teams first NAIA playoff berth since 1991 and an overall record of 8-3. The Seward, Neb., native was a four-year letter winner for Nebraska Wesleyan as a defensive lineman and linebacker from 1979 to 1982. After graduating in 1983 with a B.S. in Business Administration, Keller began his coaching career at Seward High School, where he worked with receivers and outside linebackers. In 1984, Keller joined the Nebraska Wesleyan coaching staff as an assistant to Orson Christensen. Keller coached the offensive line for three years as the team won six games each season, compiling an overall mark of 18-12. Keller then followed Christensen to Eastern Oregon State College in LaGrande, Ore., where he began his preparation for a head coaching position. In nine seasons at Eastern Oregon State, Keller served as offensive line coach and coordinated the special teams, recruitment and strength training for the Mountaineers. He was promoted to assistant head coach before accepting the opening at Nebraska Wesleyan. At Eastern Oregon State, Keller obtained his masters degree in Education in 1991, compiling a 4.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). Aside from his duties as head football coach, Keller is an instructor in the Department of Health and Human Performance. He and his wife, Jeanette, have three sons, Crew (a senior on the NWU football team), Braly (a freshman on the NWU football team) and Quinn. Coach Keller's Record at NWU

Jacob Donohoe begins his first season as head football coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2026 after being named the 26th head coach in program history following a nationwide search. Donohoe joins the Prairie Wolves with a reputation as an offensive innovator, program builder and relationship driven leader with experience at the Division I FCS, Division III and junior college levels. Donohoe most recently served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Coe College, where he engineered one of the most productive offensive seasons in both program and American Rivers Conference history during the 2025 campaign. In his first season directing the Kohawks offense, Donohoe helped lead Coe to a 9-3 overall record and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Under Donohoe’s direction in 2025, Coe led the American Rivers Conference in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense and passing offense. The Kohawks scored 65 touchdowns and totaled 465 points, finishing more than 20 touchdowns and more than 100 points ahead of the next closest conference opponent. Coe averaged 38.0 points and 480 yards of total offense per game while rushing for 2,346 yards and throwing for 3,415 yards. Coe set multiple school records during the season, including passing yards in a season with 3,415, passing touchdowns with 34, and total offensive yards with 5,761. Donohoe coached Brady Kelly, the 2025 American Rivers Conference Offensive Most Valuable Player, and helped develop five A-R-C All Conference offensive selections. His responsibilities included weekly game planning, offensive installs, and organizing and operating all offensive meetings and practice agendas. Prior to his return to Coe, Donohoe served as offensive line coach, run game coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Tyler Junior College. During his tenure, Tyler captured the 2024 Southwest Junior College Football Conference Championship. Donohoe played a key role in designing and implementing the run game while managing all recruiting operations for the program, including talent evaluation, recruiting board management and roster construction. Donohoe also spent multiple seasons at Illinois State University in a variety of roles, beginning as a graduate assistant offensive coach and later serving as director of recruiting and offensive quality control. As a graduate assistant, he was part of a Redbirds coaching staff that advanced to the FCS Championship Quarterfinals in 2019. His responsibilities included organizing quarterback and wide receiver meetings, assisting with offensive game planning and supporting recruiting efforts. As director of recruiting at Illinois State, Donohoe oversaw all aspects of the recruiting process, including scholarship allocation, recruiting board management, official visit coordination and player evaluation. He also contributed to offensive scouting reports and call sheet development, gaining experience in both roster management and game preparation at the Division I level. Donohoe began his collegiate coaching career at Coe College in 2021 as an assistant offensive coach working with wide receivers. In that role, he led position meetings, contributed to the development of the passing game and played an integral role in recruiting high caliber student athletes while helping establish a strong offensive foundation. Before entering the coaching ranks, Donohoe enjoyed his playing career at Illinois State University from 2014 to 2016 as a quarterback and wide receiver. He was part of teams that reached the 2015 FCS National Championship Game and won Missouri Valley Football Conference championships in 2014 and 2015, providing him with firsthand experience competing at a championship level. Donohoe earned a Master of Science in psychology of sport and physical activity from Illinois State University in 2019 and holds a Bachelor of Science in agriculture business, earned in 2017.

Brandon “Bear” Earp begins his first season as defensive coordinator at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2026, joining head coach Jacob Donohoe’s inaugural Prairie Wolves coaching staff. Earp will oversee the Prairie Wolves defense while also contributing to special teams and overall defensive game planning. Earp comes to Nebraska Wesleyan after spending the 2025 season at Truman State University, where he served as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. During his time in Kirksville, Earp helped guide the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Division II playoff appearance in 31 years. He coached a rush defense that ranked among the top three in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and coordinated special teams units that led the league in both kickoff return average and punt coverage. Under his direction, Truman State produced two First Team All-GLVC performers, including a linebacker and a kick returner. Prior to Truman State, Earp spent two seasons at Tyler Junior College from 2023 to 2024 as linebackers coach, assistant special teams coach and director of football operations. His impact was immediate, as the Apaches captured the 2024 Southwest Junior College Football Conference regular season championship, the program’s first since 1986. That season, Tyler ranked No. 1 nationally in sacks and produced the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year. Earp mentored multiple NJCAA All-Americans and helped develop several Division I linebackers during his tenure. In addition to his on-field responsibilities, Earp has experience in recruiting, scouting coordination, game management and football operations. His background includes creating weekly defensive and special teams scouting reports, managing travel logistics and budgets, and assisting with overall program organization. A native of Princeton, N.C., Earp is a graduate of Appalachian State University, where he earned degrees in communications and economics while maintaining a 3.82 GPA. Known for his energy, attention to detail and ability to connect with student-athletes, Earp brings a modern defensive approach and proven player-development background to the Prairie Wolves program. Earp and his wife, Anna, reside in Lincoln.

Ethan Heifner joined the Nebraska Wesleyan University football staff in February 2026 as the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach. Heifner comes to Lincoln from Southeast Missouri State University, where he served as assistant defensive line coach and defensive quality control coach from 2024–25. He spent the Spring of 2024 as the assistant inside linebackers coach at Fort Hays State University and began his collegiate coaching career at New Mexico State University as an assistant outside linebackers coach and recruiting assistant. Known for his attention to detail and commitment to player development, Heifner brings a wealth of experience across multiple defensive positions and special teams units. A native of Florida, Heifner earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Central Florida. He has a proven track record of cultivating talent and fostering team culture, and he looks forward to contributing to Nebraska Wesleyan’s success both on the field and in the classroom.

Kyle Murphy begins his first season as a member of the Nebraska Wesleyan football coaching staff in 2026. Murphy serves as the Prairie Wolves’ offensive line coach, becoming the second official hire of the Jacob Donohoe era. Murphy arrives in Lincoln after spending the past three seasons at Fort Hays State University, where he coached the tight ends for the Tigers. During his time at FHSU, Murphy played a key role in developing Cale Cormaney into a two-time Second Team All-MIAA selection in 2024 and 2025, while contributing across multiple areas of the Tigers’ offensive operation. Murphy’s coaching background is rooted in offensive line play. He began his collegiate coaching career at Kansas State, serving as an offensive student coach from 2020–23 after transferring into the program. Working primarily with the offensive line, Murphy gained hands-on experience in practice organization, opponent scouting and in-game communication while learning under former Kansas State offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Conor Riley, now the offensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. At Fort Hays State, Murphy’s responsibilities extended beyond position coaching, as he also served as the program’s high school camp coordinator, social media coordinator and assisted with detailed scouting of defensive fronts, stunts and blitz packages. He was involved in in-game adjustments and self-scouting offensive tendencies. Murphy began his undergraduate education at Missouri Western State before completing his degree at Kansas State University, earning a major in business marketing with a minor in leadership studies.

Corona is starting his 22nd season as a Nebraska Wesleyan assistant football coach and is the longest tenured member of the staff. This season he will again help with the punters and kickers.             In 2015, Corono coached the 2 nd -Team All-GPAC kicker.  It marked the ninth straight season that he coached an All-Conference kicker or punter.             The 2014 season saw both the kicker and punter earned honorable mention All-GPAC recognition under the guidance of Coach Corona.              During the 2013 season he coached both the First-Team All-GPAC punter and kicker.  He coached a 1 st or 2 nd team All-Conference punter for six straight seasons.  He also had his kicker earn CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition in 2013.              Coach Corona has coached five of the top six kickers on the NWU all-time charts and five of the top six punters on the top 10 list during his tenure.             In 2012 he coached the First-Team All-GPAC punter and had his punter and kicker both earn Academic All-America honors.                In 2010 he coached Ethan Hunke to become the top statistical punter in the country and become an All-American.              Corona coached wide receivers and defensive backs at Lincoln East High School from 1985 to 1991 before moving to Lincoln High School where he spent eight years teaching and coaching.             Corona was a two-year letter winner as a wide receiver at Kearney State College before transferring to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned his degree in Education. He currently teaches at Lefler Middle School. Corona and his wife Juanita have a daughter, Karla.  

Dante Proctor Jr. enters his first season as an assistant coach for the Nebraska Wesleyan University football team in the 2026 season.  Proctor will coach the Nebraska Wesleyan running backs.  A 2023 graduate of Lamar University in Texas with a bachelor's degree in physical education teacher education. Proctor began his coaching career at Texas Southern University as a graduate assistant in football operations before transitioning to a role working directly with the running backs and special teams units. He was elevated to assistant running backs and special teams coach in May 2025. During his tenure with the Tigers, Proctor utilized Hudl and GameStrat to break down opponent film, conducted position meetings and contributed to weekly game planning alongside the offensive staff. He also supported recruiting efforts by evaluating film and identifying prospective student-athletes at the Division I level. Proctor earned his master's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and human performance from Texas Southern in May 2025. Before his coaching career, Proctor was a four-year sprinter on the track and field team at Lamar University. A native of Houston, Texas, Proctor now resides in Lincoln.  

Lange enters his 16th year of coaching at Nebraska Wesleyan. Lange will coach the running backs again this season.  Lange has coached for 34 years altogether, coaching at Raymond Central High School before coming to NWU.             The Lincoln native received his bachelor of education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a masters degree in coaching from the United States Sports Academy and a doctorate in Athletic Administration from the United States Sports Academy.  Lange is currently a math teacher at Raymond Central High School.   Chip Lange Running Backs Coach Dr. Chip Lange enters his 16th year of coaching at Nebraska Wesleyan. Lange will coach the running backs again this season.  Lange has coached for 34 years altogether, coaching at Raymond Central High School before coming to NWU.             The Lincoln native received his bachelor of education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a masters degree in coaching from the United States Sports Academy and a doctorate in Athletic Administration from the United States Sports Academy.  Lange is currently a math teacher at Raymond Central High School.