Head Coach Chris Springer
Head Coach
Chris Springer
Coach Chris Springer enters his first season as Head Football Coach at Bethel University in 2024-25. He is in his ninth year on the Bethel football staff, having previously served as Defensive Coordinator, Associate Head Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator. Over the course of his tenure, Springer has helped the Wildcats break multiple team and school defensive records, establishing Bethel as one of the premier defensive programs in the NAIA.
In 2024, the Wildcats finished 7-3 and led the Mid-South Conference in both total defense and scoring defense. Nationally, Bethel ranked 6th in scoring defense, allowing just 13.0 points per game, and 8th in total defense, giving up only 264.8 yards per game.
The 2023 season saw Bethel post an 11-2 record, advancing to the NAIA quarterfinals—the deepest playoff run and tied most overall wins in program history. The Wildcats finished 3rd nationally in scoring defense (12.6 points per game), 2nd in total defense (219 yards per game), and 2nd in defensive takeaways with 30 on the year.
In 2022, the Wildcats completed the best regular season in school history with an 11-0 record, winning the Mid-South Conference championship and earning a national playoff berth. Bethel’s
defense was dominant, finishing top 10 in multiple categories: scoring defense (12.3 points per game), pass defense (152.2 yards per game), defensive takeaways (25), interceptions (16), and
third-down defense. Against top-10 opponents on the road, the defense allowed just 12.6 points per game.
Bethel’s 2021 campaign ended with a 7-4 record, including wins over two top-8 ranked teams. The Wildcats led the Mid-South Conference in total pass defense and pass efficiency defense, while finishing in the top 10 nationally in third-down defense and takeaways. In 2019, the Wildcats ranked 5th in the country in defensive takeaways with 27. In 2018, Bethel won the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division title with a 10-0 regular-season record. That season, the defense led the nation in takeaways (37), ranked 10th in pass efficiency defense, and 29th in both total and scoring defense.
Since joining the staff in 2017, Springer has engineered one of the most consistent and opportunistic defenses in the NAIA. His first season saw the Wildcats finish 3rd in the nation in takeaways with 26, setting the tone for years of sustained excellence. Springer has developed multiple All-Conference and All-American defensive players during his time at Bethel. He mentored Brandon Moore, an NAIA All-American and Cliff Harris Award finalist, who led the nation in passes defended. Springer also coached Devious Christmon, a first- team All-Conference performer who earned an NFL rookie mini-camp invitation with the Indianapolis Colts and graduated as one of the program’s all-time leaders in interceptions.
Before Bethel, Springer coached at Georgia Military College in the spring of 2017. From 2014–2016, he was on staff at Western Kentucky University, serving as a defensive assistant and cornerbacks coach. During his time there, the Hilltoppers won two Conference USA championships and three consecutive bowl games. He began his coaching career in 2013 at Eastern New Mexico University, where he coached wide receivers and helped the program earn its first winning season since 2004 and first Lone Star Conference title since 1991.
As a player, Springer was a four-year letterman and team captain as a defensive back at Bethel and Lindenwood University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Lindenwood in 2013 and a master’s degree in sports recreation and administration from Western Kentucky University in 2017.
A native of Bartlett, Tennessee, Coach Springer lives in Lexington with his wife Megan and their daughters Chandler and Sydney.