Brett Ekkens has been named the Head Football coach at Tiffin University.

Ekkens has served for the last two seasons as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Saginaw Valley State University. Prior to SVSU, he served as the offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and head strength & conditioning coach at Indiana Wesleyan. 

He worked at the University of Akron for five years, two years as a graduate assistant before eventually being promoted to the top spot as the head offensive line coach.  He was the youngest offensive line coach in FBS upon his hire on Terry Bowden's staff as well as the fourth youngest coach in FBS at age 26.  In addition, he served as Akron's recruiting coordinator.  While at Akron, Ekkens helped lead the team to a 2017 MAC East Championship including a victory over Northwestern and a trip to the Boca Raton Bowl and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. 

Prior to Akron, Ekkens coached at Mt. Union and served as the offensive line coach and head strength coach and was part of the 2012 Mt. Union National Championship Team and was a runner-up in 2013.  He played his college ball at Mt. Union and started at center for four years.  In addition, he was an All-American and a Rimington Award Winner while at Mt. Union.  He appeared in 4 Consecutive National Championship games as a player and won one in 2008.  His record at Mt. Union as a player was 57-3. 

He has a Bachelor's degree in Physical and Health Education and a Master's Degree in Sport Science and Coaching Administration. 

Ekkens and his wife Sophia were married in June 2016.

"I would like to thank Dr. Schumacher, the Board of Trustees, Kelly Daniel, and the rest of the Tiffin University community for the opportunity to be the next head football coach," said Ekkens. "It is a distinct honor and privilege to serve Dragon nation. I am excited to honor the rich football tradition that has been earned here, and work hard to continue to move this program forward." 

"We are thrilled about our next chapter of Tiffin University football with the hiring of head coach Brett Ekkens," said Tiffin University President Dr. Lillian Schumacher. "After a competitive national search, he rose to the top unanimously. Brett's experience as a coach, a leader, and a professional is exemplary and we know he and his staff will be great teachers and role models for our students."

"I would like to welcome Brett and his wife Sophia to the Dragons family," said Athletic Director Kelly Daniel. "While reviewing the resumes, Brett looked great on paper. When talking to him in person, he checked every box and then some. While reviewing his references, it literally gave me goosebumps to hear the great things that they had to say about him. The TU Dragons football program got a huge win in finding Coach Ekkens. It's not just about strategy or philosophy. It is about having great coaches and players, and we have both."

What others are saying about Brett Ekkens:

"What a great choice Tiffin University has made in hiring Brett Ekkens as their new head football coach. In my 28 years as a college head football coach he was one of the brightest, most hard-working and enthusiastic assistants I've ever had. He is also a man of great character and will serve as an outstanding role model for his student-athletes. Tiffin could not have hired a better man for the job." – Terry Bowden, 1993 National Coach of the Year (Auburn University)

"He's a great communicator, a hard worker. He's a relationship guy. He builds a great rapport with the players and staff.  He has brought a positive mindset change and an increase to our standard of excellence." - Saginaw Valley State Head Coach Ryan Brady

"I respect him as much as anyone can. One of the reasons is his maturity, professionalism, and his ability to connect with people.  Brett is even thought of as a teacher, because he is good at connecting the dots for people. His strengths are being a teacher and secondly a communicator." - Indiana Wesleyan Head Football Coach Jordan Langs

"He's very smart, which, as a coach, is needed to foresee potential problems and finding solutions. He collaborates with others and is very easy to get along with.  He's always looking for the next task to complete.  He's very much the nobody-needs-to-tell-him-to-do-it person; he will take the initiative to do it.  He always does things to help move the organization forward." - Mount Union Head Football Coach Vince Kehres