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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Coach Jake Mandelko

Jake Mandelko

  • Title
    Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line
  • Email
    mandelkoj@unk.edu
  • Phone
    (308) 865-8020
Jake Mandelko returned to the Nebraska Kearney football program in January 2023 and is the team's special teams coordinator and defensive line coach. The Lexington native is a former standout safety for the Lopers, earning All-Region honors as a senior in 2009. 
 
"I'm excited to have Jake on our staff. He is a former Loper and he bleeds blue!” said Loper head coach Ryan Held. “He will coach our DL and Special Teams in the way he played for UNK! It will be done with DDT!” 

In 2023 the d-line was paced by All-MIAA selections Tell Spies (52 tackles, six tacks) and Quillan Felton (44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss). Overall the defense was among the MIAA leaders in the red zone (77% score pct., 55% TD pct.), forced fumbles (eight) and sacks (24). On special teams, the Lopers blocked four kicks with the team first in the MIAA in punt return avg. (13.6). 

Felton and the defense took another step in 2024 as the unit allowed just 21.5 points and 363 yards per game. UNK gave up only 75 second half points on the year, held five opponents under 21 points and forced 23 turnovers. Felton was a unanimous first-team All-MIAA picked who then earned All-American honors. He tallied 17.5 tackles for loss including seven sacks. Finally, the special teams had six blocks, was 30 of 31 on PAT's and had a 11.9 punt return average. Coaches Mandelko & McCoy
 
Priot to his return, Mandelko worked under former Loper assistant coach Grant Mollring at NCAA Division III Buena Vista (Ia.) University where he was assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for six seasons. He also served as DC, defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Hastings College for two years while beginning his coaching career at Nebraska. For the ‘Huskers over four years, Mandelko handled quality control for the DB’s and special teams and assisted with on-campus recruiting.
 
At BVU, Mandelko helped the Beavers win 16 games in five completed seasons. His defense moved up from last to the middle of the conference rankings in total defense.  Buena Vista also was among the league leaders in interceptions (25) and finished second sacks in 2019 with 25. In 2022, Madelko's defense ranked third in the conference against the run, allowing just over 100 rushing yards per game. He also helped coach seven all-conference defensive selections.
 
Having recruited extensively in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Arizona and Texas, Mandelko was part of a 2009 Loper team that won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) regular season title, posted an 11-2 record and won the program’s first-ever playoff game. He had a combined 27 tackles in two playoff games that fall and currently ranks 22nd (194) on the all-time tackles list.
 
Mandelko holds a UNK bachelor of science degree in sports administration. He and his wife, Shandace, have three daughters -- Zoey, Aria and Avery -- and a son, Kai.