This will be Kilgore’s first season coaching college football after a very prestigious playing career at the Division III level. Kilgore attended Bethel University where he was a standout on a National Championship contender during his career. Coach Kilgore played defensive end for the Royals and became one of the most dominant defensive players in the country. During his four years at Bethel, Kilgore was named a team captain, a 2nd Team All American, 2x All-Region, 2x First Team All-MIAC, and was named to the All-State Good Works Team.
During his senior season at Bethel, Kilgore put on a show on the defensive side of the ball. In 13 games, the star defensive end had 15 sacks, 59 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He finished his illustrious career with 21.5 sacks, 131 tackles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Following his impressive career with the Royals, Kilgore received an invitation to Minnesota Vikings Rookie Camp where he practiced with the NFL team.
Coach Kilgore’s arrival to UNW has Coach Moore and the entire Eagle football community excited. “We are beyond excited to have Kyle join our Eagle football program”, Coach Moore said. “He was an exceptional player that performed at a high level on the field. What is exciting for our program is that he is just as high quality of a coach as he was a player, and is an even better man and mentor for our student athletes. Coaches like Kyle will help Northwestern football reach new levels.”
Coach Moore is not the only one looking forward to Coach Kilgore’s time at UNW. Kilgore himself is looking forward to his time with the Eagles. “I am very grateful to take on the role of the Defensive Line Coach for UNW football”, Kilgore said. “I am excited to coach tough, accountable, and relentless young men who contribute to making Northwestern such a special program.”
In addition to his football pedigree, Coach Kilgore will be a great spiritual fit at UNW. Kilgore has been involved in multiple service projects and missions trips both locally and nationally. He has been on mission’s trips to Costa Rica and Jamaica, and loves serving with Feed My Starving Children and worked with special needs students within the BUILD program while he was a student at Bethel.
Coach Kilgore loves what UNW stands for both as an institution and as a football program. “I am thrilled to contribute to a program that competes with purpose”, Kilgore said. “What excites me the most is to be in a community that values Jesus and what he did on the Cross above all else. I am surrounded by a coaching staff that speaks life into me. I get to play a role in teaching young men to ‘Relentlessly pursue the Source’ which in our sport is the football, but in life is Jesus. I am a fierce competitor and can’t wait to build upon this culture of winning.”
Kilgore is a 2019 graduate of Bethel, earning his degrees in Social Studies Education and History. Following his time at Bethel he worked as a Social Studies teacher at Irondale High School for the 2020-2021 school year. During this time he coached the varsity defensive line at Mounds View High School.
