The University of Akron Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Offensive Line
- Email:
- bae33@uakron.edu
- Phone:
- (330) 972-7466
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The youngest offensive line coach in Division I football, Brett Ekkens begins his third season with the offensive line at the University of Akron in 2018. Just 26 at the time of his full-time hire, Ekkens expands his duties in 2018, assisting with recruiting.
Ekkens served as a graduate assistant during the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Zips’ football program.
In 2017, four of five linemen returned to their starting roles, led by junior right guard Kyle Ritz, who has started 32 career games. Other starters returning included senior center LaVonne Gauthney, senior left guard Stephen Ericksen, and senior right tackle Jovann Letuli. New to the starting line-up were sophomores left tackleTrevor Brown and left guard Brandon Council. Senior center Xavier Quigley earned Academic All-MAC accolades.
The offensive line provided perfect protection in the win over Arkansas Pine Bluff, helping UA to 267 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and in the win over Ohio, helping the Zips to 443 yards of total offense and four passing touchdowns while securing Akron’s top spot in the MAC East.
In his first season in 2016, Ekkens was the youngest offensive line coach in the country (26) and the fourth-youngest assistant coach (at any position) in the nation. Ekkens helped five new Zip starters on the line. Noted as the second-least experienced line in the country, the Zips provided perfect protection in wins over Miami and Ball State. The o-line helped UA to a school record six touchdowns in the win over VMI.
Nine Zips were named to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference team, including junior offensive lineman Xavier Quigley.
Ekkens was named to the American Football Coach’s Association (AFCA) 30 Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute in 2017. The prestigious program, sponsored by the American Football Coaches Foundation® and NCAA Leadership Development, is aimed at training premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. He is the second Zips’ coach to earn the honor, joining offensive coordinator A.J. Milwee who attended the inaugural event in 2016.
Ekkens earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health education from Mount Union in 2012. He was a four-year letterwinner on the offensive line for the Purple Raiders, earning Division III first-team All-America honors and first-team Academic All-America honors in 2011. He was the recipient of the prestigious Rimington Award while helping Mount Union to four Ohio Athletic Conference championships and the 2008 national championship.
Following graduation, Ekkens served as the head football strength and conditioning coach and assistant offensive line coach at his alma mater for two seasons prior to joining the Zips.
A native of Kentwood, Mich., Ekkens earned a master’s degree in sport science and coaching administration at Akron in 2015, earning a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while serving as a graduate assistant with the football team.
Ekkens, 28 (born Oct. 16, 1989), and his wife Sophia were married in June 2016.
Ekken’s Year-By-Year Coaching Experience
2012-13Â Â Â Mount Union (head strength & conditioning coach)
2014-15Â Â Â Akron (graduate assistant)
2016-17Â Â Akron (offensive line)
2018- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Akron (offensive line | assistant recruiting coordinator)
