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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Jake Willrich

Jake Willrich

Jake Willrich was hired as Nebraska Kearney's linebacker coach/special teams coordinator in December 2014. Under head coach Josh Lynn, he moved over to the defensive secondary in 2017 while continuing to work with the special teams. Willrich also monitors the team's academic progress and handles the program's travel needs. 

In the spring of 2021 Willrich was promoted to lead UNK's special teams. He'll continue to coach the defensive secondary (safeties) and be the program's top academic coach. 

25240In 2017 the Loper secondary featured All-MIAA corner Malik Webb and All-MIAA safeties George Brown and Dallas Vaughn. Webb was among the MIAA interception leaders with Vaughn again ranking among UNK's tackle leaders. Finally, Brown wrapped up a five-year career by being named All-MIAA for a third time. On special teams, first-year punter Grant Buschkoetter landed 19 percent of his attempts inside the 20-yard with another 10 being fair caught.

In 2018 Vaughn repeated as an all-league selection, thanks to 55 tackles and three fumble recoveries, with Webb and fellow senior Famous McKinnon holding down the corner spots and breaking up 20 passes. Newcomer Blake Bubak racked up 39 tackles and five PBU's from as the other safety spot as UNK allowed 186 yards per game through the air. 

Among the specialists, junior punter/kickoff specialist Kendall Raschein garnered all-accolades after a solid first season with Darrius Webb returning a kickoff 98 for a TD vs. MIAA champion Fort Hays State. It marked UNK's first kick return for a score in 12 years. 

In 2019 the Loper secondary had seven of the team's nine interceptions with Bubak and corner Terrell Williams among the tackle leaders. UNK went 7-5 and won the Mineral Water Bowl, the program's fourth-ever postseason victory. The Lopers held three foes under 20 points including national power Northwest Missouri State (17). Kearney beat the Bearcats, 24-17, that day to help extend a win streak to three straight games.

The 2020 season was canceled by the on-going COVID pandemic but UNK was one of a handful of D2 schools to play countable games in the fall. The Lopers won at Pittsburg State, 31-26, for the first time in 37 years while beating in-state rival Chadron State, 45-35, at home. The secondary managed 13 PBU's in these wins with a first-year punter averaging close to 40 yards a boot. 

Strong safety Darius Swanson earned All-American honors in both 2021 and 2022 as UNK went a combined 18-6 and reached the 2021 D2 playoffs. Veteran Blake Bubak (50 tackles) and Tre O'Guinn (69) were his position mates in 2021 and 2022, respectively, with Swanson set to play at Tulane in 2023. He ends his UNK career with 190 tackles and seven INT's. 

Fellow co-captain Hunter Kraus again earned All-MIAA honors in 2022 after having a solid 42.5 average. With a season remaining, he could break the all-time career punt average record. Next, super senior kicker Junior Gonzalez tied the UNK career recod for made PAT's (156) after going 46 of 46 in 2022. He also reached the 200-career point mark. 

Back in 2016 Willrich coached Loper legend Tyke Kozeal who led the NCAA in tackles with 174. Named to numerous All-American teams, Kozeal's career tackle total of 604 is among the highest in college football history. On special teams, senior Payton Fluckey was among the MIAA's best in dropping punts (18) inside the 20-yard line. Next, junior Brendan Wentling booted two field goals of 50 yards or more.

In his first season Willrich saw Kozeal again rank among the NCAA's (all divisions) leaders in tackles with 176. Kozeal became UNK's all-time leader in stops in September, breaking the mark set by former teammate Kellen Werner. At the end of the fall, Kozeal was tabbed All-Central Region, All-MIAA, an MIAA Scholar Athlete and an MIAA Academic Honor Roll qualifier. On special teams senior Steven Burns had among the best kick return numbers (565 yards/24.6 avg.) in school history with Fluckey having 25% of his punts land inside the opponent 20-yard line. 35636

Prior to UNK, the Grimes, Ia., native and Truman State (Mo.) graduate was the defensive coordinator, secondary coach and strength & conditioning coach at NCAA Division III Austin (Texas) College for five seasons.

That was his second tenure with the Kangaroos as he was the program's secondary coach in 2005. He also has had stops at Hastings College (2006-09) and NW Missouri State as a graduate assistant (2003-04). 

At Austin, Willrich's defense was among the best in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). Over five years, his defense forced 95 turnovers with 32 players being named all-conference. In 2011, Austin was among the league leaders in red zone defense and interceptions while ranking first in rush defense and third down percentage defense in 2012. A year later, the 'Roos were second in the conference in scoring defense (23.7).

32256Serving as the secondary coach at Hastings, he was part of a turnaround over four years that culminated with nine wins and an NAIA playoff berth in 2009. That team picked off 24 passes for 255 return yards with three Bronco defensive backs being named All-GPAC. Willrich also was involved with strength & conditioning.

At Northwest, Willrich worked with the defensive backs during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He was a part of a 2004 squad that went 11-2 and reached the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs while the 2003 team won the MIAA title.

As a player, he was a three-time All-MIAA linebacker for the TSU Bulldogs. Finishing in the top five in school history in career tackles, Willrich was a second-team all-league pick his senior season.

Holding an undergraduate degree from Truman and a Master's from Northwest, Willrich and his wife, Erin, have two sons, Payton and Hudson.
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