The Knox College football team has been putting in work for the past two weeks in preparation for their first game on September 2nd against Eureka College. The coaching staff has a few familiar faces returning this season but has also enjoyed the addition of three new coaches to help the team.

On the offensive side of the ball, Peyton Doughty has joined the staff to coach the wide receivers. Doughty is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a former Division 3 athlete. Doughty played at Eureka College as a running back and graduated in 2022. He got his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management. He is entering his first year of coaching after his playing career. 

"I'm glad to be joining this program," says Doughty, "Being in my first year of coaching, this staff has been incredibly supportive. This is a family-oriented team, and I have felt it already in these first six months." 

The offensive staff also added Wes Ekstedt as an assistant offensive line coach. Ekstedt is originally from Altona, IL, and a class of 2005 graduate from Knox College. He played on the offensive line during his four years in the football program. After his playing career, he was a graduate assistant at Knox for one season and then took on the role of Head Coach at Mid-County Junior High. "I am having a blast being back in coaching here," says Ekstedt, "To be around the guys and be able to make these relationships with them is what I love about coaching."

Adrian Robbins has joined the defensive coaching staff and will be in charge of the defensive line room. Robbins is originally from Los Angeles, California. He served two tours of duty while serving in the Army for six and a half years. After his service, Robbins got his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Fresno State University in 2022. Robbins is entering his seventh year of coaching football, his sixth season at the collegiate level. He coached at Reedly College from 2017 to 2021, then transitioned to coaching high school football for a season at East Peoria High School in Illinois.

Robbins says, "This is where I am meant to be. To be coaching student-athletes who are excited to be at Knox and excited to play makes this a welcome experience."

Head Coach Aaron Willits shared his comments on the new coaches. "Each of these men brings a new perspective to our staff. Throughout conversations leading to their hire, I shared our program philosophy and vision for the future. I could tell right away these three understood and were eager to be a part of the growth of our program. Our players are connecting with them already and they've been great additions. Everyone wants to achieve the same things here in this program, and these three coaches are no exception."