Justin Hurd will enter his second season on the Bulldog coaching staff in 2025.
Last season's Bulldog defense saw four Bulldogs earn All-Conference selections while allowing just 21.4 points per game and averaging 65.8 tackles per game. The Bulldog defense led the Frontier Conference in sacks with a season total of 39 (including non-conference games). Defensive lineman James Ochs landed at third in the Frontier for total sacks with 8.5. Linebacker Keegen Muffich finished in third in the Frontier for total tackles on the season with 98 total. Defensive back Braden Swank led both the nation and the Frontier in pass breakups after totaling 20 on the season.
Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Hurd was a defensive intern working with the defensive line at the University of North Dakota. During his time with UND, the Fighting Hawks won their first game over in-state rival North Dakota State University in their NCAA Division 1 era.
Hurd made a stop at the University of Jamestown prior to working at UND where he was the defensive line coach and a graduate assistant. During his time with the Jimmies, Hurd coaches a first team All-American and a Cliff Harris Award finalist in Paul Vandal.
Hurd was an offensive lineman in college, playing for NCAA division III Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Hurd was a member of multiple winnings seasons and compiled 30 wins in three seasons and just six losses.
A Washington, Illinois native, Hurd earned his bachelor’s degree in fitness management from Wartburg College in 2021 and his master's degree in leadership from the University of Jamestown in 2023.
