Southeastern University Men's Football

Southeastern Names Jake Russell Head Football Coach Jake Russell was named the fourth head football coach in Southeastern University history on January 8, 2026, bringing a proven record of competitive success, postseason experience, and Christ-centered leadership to Fire Football. Russell comes to Lakeland following a highly successful three-year tenure as head coach at Campbellsville University, where he led the Fighting Tigers back to national prominence. During the 2025 season, Campbellsville posted an 8–3 record, earned an at-large berth to the NAIA Football Championship Series, and advanced to the second round of the postseason for the first time in a decade, finishing the year ranked No. 11 in the NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 Postseason Poll. Across his three seasons, Russell guided Campbellsville to a 21–11 overall record, including a 9–2 campaign in 2024—the highest winning percentage of any university in the state of Kentucky. Prior to Campbellsville, Russell served as head coach at Kentucky Christian University, where he engineered significant improvement across all phases of the program. From his first to second season, the Knights improved nationally in every major offensive statistical category and finished the 2022 season with the second-most points and yards in program history. Defensively, Kentucky Christian ranked first nationally in pass defense in 2021 and finished among the nation’s leaders in turnovers forced and defensive touchdowns in 2022. Russell also brings coordinator experience from Union College, where he served as offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and quarterbacks coach. Under his leadership, Union improved from 89th to 34th nationally in points per game and from 80th to 31st in total offense per game. He began his collegiate coaching career as quarterbacks coach at Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida. A 2016 graduate of Campbellsville University, Russell earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management while starring as the Fighting Tigers’ quarterback during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He ranks second in program history in career passing yards (6,703) and career passing touchdowns (66), and holds the school’s single-season record with 38 touchdown passes in 2015. His playing background has strongly influenced his offensive philosophy and approach to quarterback development. Russell’s career has also been marked by a deep commitment to faith-based leadership and ministry. He has led Bible studies with every team he has played for or coached and established and oversaw a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at Union College, growing weekly attendance from eight to more than 40 members. He has participated in numerous domestic and international mission trips and emphasizes servant leadership, accountability, and character development within his football programs. Russell and his family are excited to join the Southeastern University community as he leads Fire Football into its next chapter.  

David Joyner came to Southeastern in August of 2016 as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's teams. He was named the interim head coach in August of 2022. The 2024-25 season featured two more returns to the NAIA National Championship for the men's and women's programs under Joyner's lead. The 19th ranked men's team claimed victory in the Spring Skyhawk Invitational and tied for second at the Sun Conference Championship after an astounding -12 score in the final round. They finished 16th at the NAIA National Championship, and sophomore Spender McCranie was named PING Third-Team All-Region. No. 14 Women's Golf notched first in the Coastal Georgia Invitational to start the season. Finishing fourth place at the Sun Conference Championship, and concluded the season 21st at the NAIA National Tournament. Marlie Smit, Maria Stephens, and Madelyn Campbell earned SUN All-Conference honors. In 2023-24, Joyner led both men’s and women’s golf at Southeastern to very successful seasons. The men’s team strung together a four win season in 11 events, one of which was the Sun Conference Championship. It was the first time the Fire had won it since 2013. Southeastern finished 21st at the NAIA National Championship and Matthew Soucinek was named PING NAIA First-Team All-American, and for the fourth time was named an NAIA All-American. Women’s golf ranked in the top 15 all season long and finished eighth at the NAIA National Championships. Marlie Smit was named NAIA Third-Team All-American for her stellar season, after she led the women’s team to three wins. In his first season as head coach, Joyner led both programs back to the national tournament with each team making the cut. The men's team was ranked as high as fourth nationally after winning the Coastal Georgia Invitational to start the season an impressive showing at the Innisbrook Invitational. The team posted seven finishes in the top three of tournaments. The team tied the program record for season scoring average at 295.31 in 36 rounds and set a new program record for rounds at par or better with eight. The 451 birdies posted during the season were also a new program record. Southeastern finished a program-best 11th at the NAIA National Championship in Mesa, Ariz.  On the women's side, the team won four tournaments and were ranked fifth in the final NAIA Coaches' Top 25. The team went on to place eighth at NAIA Nationals at TPC Deere Run. For his efforts, Joyner was named The Sun Conference Coach of the Year for women's golf.    Prior to SEU, Joyner spent nine years as the head golf coach at Lakeland Christian School, starting the program from scratch in 2007. Prior to LCS, Joyner was the head girls' golf coach at George Jenkins High School for 13 years. A Lakeland native, Joyner graduated from Lakeland High School and Samford University. He and his wife Carrie reside in Lakeland with their daughters Ashlynn and Kate. 

In January 2023, Adam Waugh announced the appointment of Jordan Heldreth as the Offensive Line Coach at Southeastern University (SEU). Heldreth returns to SEU as a familiar figure, having been a member of the football program’s inaugural season. From 2014 to 2018, he played as a four-year starter on the offensive line, earning notable accolades during his tenure. In 2018, Heldreth was recognized as an AFCA/NAIA All-American and received First Team All-Conference honors in 2016, 2017, and 2018. In 2017, he anchored an offensive line that propelled SEU to the nation’s top-ranked offense across all collegiate divisions, averaging 55.1 points and 557.4 yards per game. This performance ranks among the top 10 in college football history for points per game. In 2024, Heldreth guided an offensive line that significantly improved its performance, reducing the number of sacks allowed from 23 in the season prior to his arrival to just 13 (averaging 1.4 per game). Under his leadership, the offensive line paved the way for the conference’s top- ranked rushing offense, excelling in nearly every statistical category and securing a No. 9 national ranking in Rushing Yards Per Game. 2024 SEU’s Offensive Line resulted in four All-Conference selections—Mark Robinson, Brian Do, Kody Chisholm, and Michael Boucher—as well as the Conference Freshman of the Year award, earned by Mark Robinson, for the 2024 season. Before rejoining Southeastern, Heldreth served as Associate Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Offensive Line Coach at Flagler Palm Coast High School (FPCHS) in 2022. Under his leadership, FPCHS achieved one of Florida’s top rushing offenses, secured a berth in the Florida High School Postseason, and clinched only the fourth District Championship in the program’s 50-year history. In 2021, Heldreth held the position of Associate Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach at Lake Gibson High School. That season, the team boasted Florida’s leading rusher, Jaylon Glover, and the state’s top rushing offense, advancing to the Final Four in the Florida High School Postseason Championship. In 2020, Heldreth coached at Lake Erie College (NCAA Division II) as the Tight Ends and Assistant Offensive Line Coach, where he mentored All-Conference Tight End Josh Hufstetler. The previous year, in 2019, he served as Offensive Line Coach at Atlantic High School in Port Orange, Florida. There, he developed an offensive line that contributed to a top-10 offense in the state, transforming the team’s record from 0-10 in 2017 to 8-4 in 2019. Atlantic High School won its first playoff game since 1996, advanced to the second round of the Florida High School Postseason, and was named Team of the Year in its classification—an honor presented by then- New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick.  Heldreth launched his coaching career in 2018 at Southeastern University as a Graduate Assistant and Assistant Offensive Line Coach, contributing to the team’s Conference Championship victory that year. Heldreth is joined by his wife, Samantha, and their daughter, Oakley.