John Bates is entering his sixth year as the defensive coordinator on the Nebraska Wesleyan coaching staff. He has led the NWU defense to become one of the top units in the country.

In 2008, Bates led the Prairie Wolves defense to three shutouts and NWU ranked second in the NAIA in scoring defense allowing just 11.2 points per game. The Prairie Wolves ranked eighth in the country in pass defense, ninth in total defense and 13th in rushing defense. It was the second straight season the NWU defense had posted three shutouts in a season.

Under Bates, the 2007 defense finished the season ranked ninth in the country in scoring defense, 11th in pass defense efficiency and 17th in rushing defense. The three shutouts in a year was the first time since 1967 that NWU had posted three shutouts in a year.

His 2006 defense ranked 16th or higher nationally in four defensive categories, including total defense, rushing defense, pass defense and opponent third-down conversion percentage. In addition, the 19-0 win against Doane College was NWU’s first shutout since 1989.

He also serves as Recruiting Coordinator for the athletic department and administrative assistant for NWU’s cross country and track programs.

Before coming to Nebraska Wesleyan, he spent two years coaching the defensive line at Western Oregon University, in addition to serving as the defensive coordinator for the Chrysler Vienna Vikings of the European Professional League. The Vikings were Austrian champions both seasons and finished as runner-up in the 2003 Eurobowl. At Western Oregon he coached two First-Team All-Conference players, including Jeff Charleston who is currently playing in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.

Bates earned his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology/Health and Secondary Education from Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., where as a player, he was a captain and an all-league safety as a junior and senior for the Pirates.

After graduating in 2000, Bates joined Whitworth’s staff as a graduate assistant in charge of linebackers. In 2001, Whitworth qualified for the NCAA Division III Football Championship and all three starting linebackers were named All-Northwest Conference, including one who was named the league’s defensive player of the year. Bates helped Whitworth go from a 1-win season to the playoffs seven years later.

He also earned his masters in secondary education from Whitworth College.

He and his wife, Dana, who serves as Director of the Athletic Training Education Program at Nebraska Wesleyan, have a four-year old son, Ryan and infant daughter Alexandra.