MARION, Ind. – Indiana Wesleyan University football head coach Jordan Langs has announced the addition of Brett Ekkens to the staff as the offensive line coach.

Ekkens coached three years at the University of Akron where he was the youngest offensive line coach in NCAA Division I and the fourth youngest assistant coach at age 26. In 2018, Ekkens added the title of assistant recruiting coordinator. Prior to his hiring, Ekkens served as a graduate assistant at Akron during the 2014-15 seasons.

“Adding Coach Ekkens to our staff is a major blessing,” said Langs. “Brett has a passion to win and a passion to care for his players.”

Ekkens was named to the American Football Coaches’ Association (AFCA) 30 Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute in 2017. The prestigious program, sponsored by the American Football Coaches Foundation and NCAA Leadership Development, is aimed at training premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession.

“He is an elite-level coaching talent with small college roots,” said Langs. “This combination will serve our program very well.”

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health Education from Mount Union in 2012. He was a four-year letter winner on the offensive line for the Purple Raiders, earning Division III First-Team All-America honors and First-Team Academic All-America honors in 2011. He was the recipient of the prestigious Rimington Award while helping Mount Union to four Ohio Athletic Conference championships and the 2008 national championship. As a senior, he was an All-American, Academic All-American and named the NCAA Division III Rimington Award winner, given to the most outstanding center.

Brett and his wife, Sophia, were married in 2016.

Ekken’s Year-By-Year Coaching Experience

2012-13   Mount Union (head strength & conditioning coach)

2014-15   Akron (graduate assistant)

2016-17   Akron (offensive line)

2018        Akron (offensive line | assistant recruiting coordinator)