Kellen Nesbitt is entering his third season as head coach of the Truman State Bulldogs. In his second season as head coach (2025), Nesbitt led Truman to its first NCAA Division II Playoff berth since 1994, finishing with an 8-4 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the GLVC. For his efforts, Nesbitt was named the 2025 GLVC Coach of the Year, becoming just the second Truman head coach to receive the honor, joining his father, Gregg Nesbitt.
The 2025 Season
Under Nesbitt's leadership, the 2025 Bulldogs established themselves as one of the most complete teams in the GLVC, ranking among the conference elite on both sides of the ball. The team finished 2nd in the GLVC in scoring offense (36.7 ppg), 3rd in scoring defense (22.5 ppg allowed), and 1st in rushing offense (2,261 yards; 205 yards per game).
Offensive Excellence
Offensive Coordinator Austin Zoda's unit totaled 4,907 yards of total offense (408.9 yards per game) while dominating on the ground with 2,261 rushing yards at 5.71 yards per carry (1st GLVC/13th nationally). The offensive line, coached by Clay Marshall, allowed just 16 sacks all season (1 per 24 attempts, 2nd GLVC/40th nationally) and ranked among the fewest sack totals in the GLVC. The offense converted 47.1% of third downs (2nd GLVC/17th nationally).
Quarterback Dylan Hair, working with Wide Receivers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Jamar Johnson, orchestrated the attack with 267 yards per game of total offense (4th GLVC), completing 61.47% of his passes for 2,476 yards, 25 touchdowns, and a 147.85 passer rating while adding 745 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Running back Denim Cook, coached by John Dabney, won the GLVC Rushing Championship with 905 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Nathan Ryan led the passing attack with 8 receiving touchdowns (4th GLVC), while tight end Gerard Grewe caught a team-high 44 passes for 573 yards and 6 touchdowns. Thomas Pulliam led the GLVC with 342 kick return yards.
Defensive Dominance
Defensive Coordinator Jeramey Dockery's unit ranked 3rd in the GLVC in scoring defense at 22.5 points per game, limiting opponents to 368.7 yards per game and 254.75 passing yards per game. The defense recorded 8 interceptions, 60 pass breakups, and 23 sacks while creating crucial turnovers throughout the season.
Linebacker Jack Weltha led the defense with 94 total tackles and earned rare dual All-GLVC recognition for his versatility. The secondary, coached by Dominic Stoneking, featured standout performances from Connor Baxley (82 tackles, 1 interception, 6 pass breakups) and Jaxin Patterson (75 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 2 interceptions including one touchdown). Dominic Grand led the GLVC with 18 passes defended, while Joe Schaefer added a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown. Thomas Spaulding anchored the defensive line with multiple sacks and a team-high in tackles for loss.
All-GLVC Honors
The 2025 Bulldogs earned 15 All-GLVC selections, including seven First Team honorees, six Second Team selections, and two Honorable Mentions:
First Team All-GLVC:
- OL Greg Krupa
- OL Wyatt Bonnett
- RB Denim Cook (GLVC Rushing Champion)
- LB Jack Weltha
- DB Jaxin Patterson
- DB Connor Baxley
- Return Specialist Thomas Pulliam (led GLVC with 342 kick return yards)
Second Team All-GLVC:
- QB Dylan Hair
- WR Nathan Ryan
- TE/O-UT Gerard Grewe (dual recognition)
- DL Thomas Spaulding
- Defensive Utility Jack Weltha (dual recognition)
Honorable Mention All-GLVC:
- DL Tyler Shanks
- DB Dominic Grand (1st in GLVC in passes defended)
Wide receiver Nathan Ryan also earned the GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award, honoring his leadership, integrity, and contributions on and off the field.
The 2024 Season
In his first season after being named interim head coach in February 2024, Nesbitt guided the Bulldogs to an 8-4 record, winning eight of their last nine games, including a 29-10 victory in the America's Crossroads Bowl in December. The 2024 campaign marked the fifth-straight season with eight or more wins by the Bulldog program—the longest such streak in school history.
The 2024 Bulldogs ranked first or second in the GLVC in 18 different statistical metrics and led all of Division II in fewest penalties per game, while ranking 2nd nationally in punt returns and 4th in fourth-down conversion percentage. The offense averaged 32.75 points per game (2nd GLVC/26th nationally) while rushing for 2,216 yards (2nd GLVC/22nd nationally) at 5.0 yards per carry. The offensive line allowed just 11 sacks all season (1st GLVC/14th nationally), and the team converted 77.78% of fourth downs (1st GLVC/2nd nationally) and 43.33% of third downs (1st GLVC/35th nationally).
Quarterback Dylan Hair threw for 2,360 yards—the most by a Bulldog quarterback in 17 seasons—with 25 touchdown passes (tied for second in single-season school history) as a sophomore. Running back Denim Cook eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards with 1,122 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Hair added over 500 yards rushing and 4 scores. Wide receiver Jackson Overton caught 10 touchdown receptions, falling one short of the school record, and was named GLVC Freshman of the Year. Jake Closser set a school record in single-season punt return average with 22.1 on 16 returns and two touchdowns, including a single-game record 86-yard scoring return in the regular season finale.
Defensively, the Bulldogs found their swagger as the season progressed. After allowing 424 yards per game in the first three contests, the unit held opposing offenses to just over 300 yards per outing by season's end while surrendering only two touchdowns in the final four games.
Thirteen players earned all-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors in 2024, with four Bulldogs selected to the first team. Dylan Hair and Jake Closser both earned GLVC Player of the Week awards during the season. The offensive line produced three All-GLVC honorees: Kody Klingensmith (1st Team), Houston Eagan (2nd Team), and tight end Chris Kerr (1st Team).
Before Becoming Head Coach
Nesbitt was promoted to interim head coach in February 2024 following the retirement of his father, Gregg, after spending the previous 14 seasons (2010-2023) as the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator. During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Nesbitt helped build one of the most consistent programs in the GLVC.
Early Coaching Career
Nesbitt coached from 2007-2009 at his alma mater, the University of Central Missouri, as defensive backs coach before joining the Truman State staff in 2010.
Playing Career
Nesbitt was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Central Missouri with over 120 career tackles. He was named Special Teams Player of the Year in 2004 and earned the school's Markey Football Scholarship in 2006.
Personal
Nesbitt is the 23rd head coach in Truman State football history, a program spanning 118 seasons. He and his wife Audrey reside in Kirksville with their two sons, Blake and Bryce.
