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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Todd Gottula
Coach Nate Willis

Nate Willis

Nate Willis joined the Nebraska-Kearney football coaching staff in the spring of 2024. He served as one of the program's two graduate assistants and then was promoted to full-time status in the summer of 2025.Coach Wilis

Willis will again lead the UNK corner backs and is now the defensive passing game coordinator. 

In 2024, senior transfer Kendall Brewer was one of the MIAA's best, having 29 tackles, five pass breakups and four interceptions. One INT was a 88-yard "pick six" against two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner Zach Zebrowski of Central Missouri.

Last year, a new group was led by transfers Ife Current and Ja'Mareion Gipson. The pair both transferred to Division I after the fall (South Dakota State and Tarleton State) but not before Current earned All-American status and Gipson was tabbed third-team All-MIAA. Both had four interceptions and a pick six with Current third on the team in tackles (55) and having four PBU's. Gipson came on as the year went along and tallied 31 tackles and a team-best nine PBU's. 

Coach Willis & Kolten TilfordPreviously, Willis was the secondary coach at Heritage High School in Conyers, Ga., for two seasons. The former Kentucky Wildcat defensive back also has had stops at Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2017), ASA College in Miami (2018-19), and NAIA Missouri Valley College (2019-21).

Willis was the DB’s coach at Stevens Point and then was secondary coach and special teams coordinator at ASA for two seasons. While in Miami, he coached Loper corner Terrell Williams. Willis then moved onto NAIA power Missouri Valley, serving as the Valkyries corner backs coach and special teams coordinator. Most recently, he was Heritage High’s secondary coach.

At UK, he was a two-year starter after beginning his player career at Arizona Western. Willis holds a Master’s in Education Administration from Missouri Valley and a BS in Community Leadership Development from Kentucky.  
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