EliWicklund

Eli Wicklund is in his first season at Kentucky as a defensive analyst. He will work closely with the defensive coordinator Jay Bateman with game planning and practice implementation.

Wicklund comes to the Bluegrass after spending four seasons (2021-25) as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach under head coach Paul Crowley at Christopher Newport University, a Division III program in Newport News, Virginia.

During his tenure, the Captains developed into one of the premier defensive units in the region, earning a reputation for their physicality, discipline and ability to create turnovers contributing to the winningest four years in program history.

In 2025, they completed a perfect 10–0 regular season, the first undefeated regular season campaign in program history. Christopher Newport captured the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship and finished 10–1 overall, marking the most successful season in school history.

The defense was anchored by defensive end Connor Estrella, a first-team All-NJAC selection who delivered a record-setting season. Estrella established a new single-season school record with nine sacks while totaling 35 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss. He also forced two fumbles and recorded two pass breakups.

In the secondary, defensive back Noah Martin earned second-team All-NJAC honors, while Yasir Geter was named third-team All-Conference, giving the Captains multiple all-league playmakers on the back end of the defense.

In 2023, Wicklund’s defense finished the season ranked No. 15 nationally while allowing just 17.0 points per game. That season, Christopher Newport captured its first-ever NJAC championship, a milestone achievement fueled by a dominant defensive effort throughout the year.

Wicklund also played a key role in the development of standout defensive backs, mentoring All-Region safeties Kindrick Braxton (2022) and Noah Martin (2024, 2025).

Before arriving at CNU, Wicklund spent four successful seasons at Hampden-Sydney College under head coach Marty Favret, where he primarily coached linebackers and cornerbacks. His influence helped develop multiple All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference players, while also serving as the Tigers’ special teams and recruiting coordinator.

Wicklund’s coaching journey includes a noteworthy stint at Bucknell University in 2016-2017, where he coached cornerbacks and running backs. Under head coach Joe Susan, the 2017 Bison defense ranked 11th nationally in total defense and fourth in pass defense, a testament to Wicklund’s strategic acumen.

In 2014-15, Wicklund served as the defensive and special teams quality control coach at Rice University, working under head coach David Bailiff. In that role, he was heavily involved in opponent scouting, game planning, scheme installation and in-game adjustments, with a primary focus on linebackers and safeties.

During the 2014 season, the Owls posted an 8–5 overall record and capped the season with a dominant 30–6 victory in the Hawaii Bowl.

Prior to his time at Rice, Wicklund made an immediate impact at North Park University in 2013 as the secondary coach. He helped guide the program to its best finish since 1971, highlighted by a 3–4 conference record that snapped a 13-year conference winless streak. His work with the secondary played a key role in the team’s defensive improvement and overall resurgence that season.

His coaching roots trace back to his alma mater, Miami University in Ohio, where Wicklund spent eight years in various roles, culminating as the defensive graduate assistant (2009-12). His experience included working closely with defensive backs and linebackers, and he was instrumental in the Redhawks’ 2010 MAC Conference and GoDaddy.com Bowl Championship run.

Wicklund is originally from Jessamine County (Nicholasville), Kentucky where he attended East Jessamine High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sport studies, along with minors in coaching and English literature from Miami University in 2009.

He and wife, Lauren, have three children, Sydney, Samantha, and Dominic.

Eli Wicklund’s Coaching Career