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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Coach Nate Baker

Nate Baker

  • Title
    Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line
  • Email
    bakern@unk.edu
  • Phone
    (308) 865-8020
  • Bldg/Location
    Cope Stadium 2nd Floor, Room 231
  • Twitter
    @CoachNateBaker
Nate Baker joined the Nebraska Kearney football program in January 2023 and serves as offensive line coach and run game coordinator.

UNK suffered an array of injuries up front in 2023 but the offense still managed to average nearly 20 points and 303 yards per game. Record setting quarterback TJ Davis ran for seven touchdowns and threw for 14 more with veteran guard/tackle Hunter Hays earning third-team All-MIAA honors. In 2024, redshirt junior Wyatt Marr and redshirt sophomore Carter Klein earned all-conference nods with former all-league pick Kooper Reece returning after a long injury absence. The Lopers had 16 rushing TD's with back Isaiah Harris named third-team All-MIAA.

The Georgia native spent the 2022 season as Senior Defensive Quality Control at Buffalo. Previously, he was co-offensive coordinator/tackles and tights coach at Division II Savannah (Ga.) State for three seasons. He also has coached at Georgia Military College, a junior college program, and at his alma mater, Georgia Southern. 

"I'm very fired up to have Nate as my OL Coach/Run Game Coordinator. His knowledge of line play and development is elite and I'm very happy to have him on the staff," said UNK head coach Ryan Held. "Our OL is in great hands!"UNK Football

At UB in 2022, Baker helped the Bulls win seven games and beat Georgia Southern in the Camellia Bowl. Buffalo's defense ranked fourth in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in scoring and was third in efficiency.

The 2019 SSU Tigers posted a 7-3 record, the first program's first winning season in 21 years. It was SSU's first year of competition back in Division II and the Tigers finished 5-0 in conference play. Under Baker's leadership, SSU turned to an old-school option offense to set new school records in a number of categories during 2019. The success continued as the Tigers went a combined 9-3 over the next two seasons, one cut short due to the pandemic.

Working under current Army head coach Jeff Monken and current Tulane head coach Willie Fritz at Georgia Southern, Baker saw great success in Statesboro. He first stint was as an undergrad offensive analyst (2008-12) and then he moved into a graduate assistant role, working with the line (2013-15). He helped the Eagles go 67-34, win three league titles and make four postseason appearances (three FCS playoff trips and FBS bowl game). Not surprisingly, the option-based Eagles led the country in rushing between 2011-15.

Baker moved onto GMC where he helped the Bulldogs go 22-9 over three seasons. As the o-line coach, he saw four of his players earn D1 scholarships (South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Troy and Alabama State) after the 2016 season. In 2017, GMC went 8-2 with Baker coaching two All-Americans. In his final season at GMC, he sent four more athletes to D1 programs with the 'Dawgs averaging over 35 points and 350+ yards per game and having 30+ rushing touchdowns.

Having recruiting experience in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and the JUCO ranks in Kansas, Baker has helped coach seven All-Americans, seven first-team all-conference picks and seen four of his players get drafted or be in an NFL camp.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from GSU and is married to the former Katherine Baker. They have two children; Beau and Brooks.