LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Wesleyan head football coach Jacob Donohoe has made the first major addition to his inaugural Prairie Wolves coaching staff, announcing the hiring of Brandon "Bear" Earp as defensive coordinator, effective immediately.
Earp, a rising young coach with a strong track record of defensive and special teams success, joins Nebraska Wesleyan after spending the past season at Truman State University as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. He played a key role in helping the Bulldogs reach the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in 31 years, overseeing a rush defense that ranked among the top three in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
"I am excited for Brandon 'Bear' Earp to join the coaching staff as defensive coordinator here at Nebraska Wesleyan University," Donohoe said. "I spent time with him at Tyler Junior College and look forward to working with him again. Bear's intelligence and passion for the game of football are just a couple of the many things that set him apart. I can't wait for him to lead the Prairie Wolves defense."
At Truman State, Earp coordinated all special teams units and produced conference-leading results, including the GLVC's top kickoff return unit and top punt coverage unit. His work also included the development of two First Team All-GLVC performers, one at linebacker and one as a kick returner.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to join the Nebraska Wesleyan football program as the defensive coordinator and excited about the trajectory of the program under Jacob Donohoe's leadership," Earp said. "I look forward to getting to work and fully immersing myself and my family in the Nebraska Wesleyan and Lincoln communities."
Before his time at Truman State, Earp spent two seasons at Tyler Junior College from 2023 to 2024, serving as linebackers coach, assistant special teams coach and director of football operations. During his tenure, Tyler captured the 2024 Southwest Junior College Football Conference regular season championship, its first since 1986. That season, the Apaches led the nation in sacks and produced the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year, along with multiple All-Americans and Division I signees at linebacker.
Earp is a native of Smithfield, N.C., and a graduate of Appalachian State University. Known for his energy, attention to detail and ability to connect with student-athletes, he brings a modern defensive approach and proven player-development background to the Prairie Wolves as the program enters a new era under Donohoe.
Earp and his wife, Anna, will reside in Lincoln, with Earp beginning his duties immediately as Nebraska Wesleyan continues preparations for the upcoming season.
