Nesbitt Introduced as Truman Football Coach

Watch Press Conference Courtesy of Truman Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (TSU Media Relations) -- Truman State University Director of Athletics Jerry Wollmering has announced that former Bulldog standout Gregg Nesbitt has been named the football program's next head coach. Coach Nesbitt was introduced to the media, Truman faculty and staff and Kirksville community Monday morning in Truman's Student Union Building, Georgian Room C.

"I am excited to announce the hiring of Gregg as the Head Football Coach at Truman State University," said Wollmering. "We are elated to have Coach Nesbitt back in Bulldog purple and are confident that his experience, knowledge, enthusiasm, and character make him the perfect fit to lead our students participating in our football program on and off the field." 

Nesbitt, a native of Hannibal, Mo., received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Truman while playing for the Bulldog Football team from 1976-1979. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1980 before adding his master's degree in 1987.

"I am tremendously excited and proud to take over the reins of our Truman Bulldog football program," said Coach Nesbitt. "This great university helped equip me for this profession 30 years ago and also is where I was blessed to meet my wife Jackie." 

"We have fond memories of our early days as undergraduates and the years when I returned here as the defensive coordinator in the early 90's," Nesbitt said. "This will be the biggest challenge I have been a part of thus far in my coaching career, and we are anxious to begin the "hard work" it will take in our attempt to restore the "Bulldog" pride."

As an alumnus of Truman, Nesbitt returned to his hometown and was the head coach for Hannibal High School from 1984-89 leading the Pirates to the state playoffs in his final three seasons. Nesbitt also served as the school's Athletic Director.

In 1990, Nesbitt returned to Kirksville and the Truman family to join Eric Holm's staff as linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. During his time back as a Bulldog assistant, the program excelled with two nine-win seasons and two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs (1990 & 1992).

Robert Merriman earned second team Football Gazette all-America honors as a defensive back under Nesbitt in 1992.

The Bulldogs, during those three seasons, were 23-9.

In 1993, Nesbitt left Truman to become the head coach at one of the most premier high school programs in the state of Missouri - Columbia's Hickman High School.

Nesbitt would spend the next 13 years on the sidelines in Columbia and would rack up six Missouri Class Six playoff appearances culminating in the 2004 State Championship. 

In 10 of those 13 years, Hickman was ranked in the top 10 in Missouri's largest football class with 95 students receiving college scholarships and 42 named to Missouri's all-state teams.

Following his state championship in 2004, Nesbitt was named the Missouri Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, the National Federation of High School Sports Regional Coach of the Year and a nominee for the NFHS National Coach of the Year Award.

Nesbitt moved back to the college ranks in 2006 as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Central Methodist University (NAIA) before joining Bulldog rival Central Missouri in Warrensburg prior to the 2007 season as co-defensive coordinator.

During the past three seasons, the Mules defense allowed just 23.3 points per game and 378 yards per game.

While his focus at the collegiate level has been primarily on the defensive side of the football, Nesbitt called high school offenses for over 22 seasons giving him a unique perspective of being a leader on both sides of the football.

Nesbitt has also been invited to speak at over 20 coaches clinics throughout the Midwest over the past 10 seasons and has been responsible for recruiting the St. Louis Metro and out-state Missouri during his collegiate coaching years.

Nesbitt and his wife Jackie, have two sons, Kellen (25), and Ryan (22).