Lindsey Wilson University

Phil Kleckler enters his fifth season as head coach of the Lindsey Wilson football program in 2026 after being named the second head coach in program history on Dec. 14, 2021. A member of the Blue Raiders' coaching staff since 2017, Kleckler previously spent five seasons as defensive coordinator, helping Lindsey Wilson compile a 53-6 record and capture the 2020 NAIA National Championship.

Through his first three seasons as head coach, Kleckler has guided the Blue Raiders to a 32-11 record while coaching six AFCA-NAIA All-Americans, 48 All Mid-South Conference selections and one Mid-South Conference Offensive Player of the Year, one Defensive Player of the Year, and one Offensive Freshman of the Year.

In 2025, Kleckler led Lindsey Wilson from unranked to national prominence as the Blue Raiders upended four opponents ranked inside the NAIA Coaches' Poll top-11, including a 24-point, come-from-behind victory over No. 10 Indiana Wesleyan in the Football Championship Series Second Round on November 29. Lindsey Wilson captured the program's sixth Mid-South Conference title and ended the year 10-2 with an appearance in the NAIA FCS Quarterfinals. Kleckler was named the Mid-South Conference Ron Finley Coach of the Year.

The Blue Raiders finished 5-4 in 2024, highlighted by victories over nationally ranked Campbellsville (Ky.) and Cumberland. Lindsey Wilson narrowly missed the NAIA Football Championship Series in 2023 after posting a 7-3 record, with all three losses coming against top-10 opponents.

In his first season as head coach in 2022, Kleckler led the Blue Raiders to a 10-2 record and a seventh consecutive appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series quarterfinals.

Under Kleckler's leadership, Lindsey Wilson has fielded one of the NAIA's premier defenses. During the 2022 season, the Blue Raiders led the nation in scoring defense (10.3 points per game) while setting program records for fewest points allowed (123), fewest total yards allowed (2,586), fewest rushing yards allowed (373), fewest rushing yards per game (31.1) and sacks (52).

Kleckler earned FootballScoop NAIA Coordinator of the Year honors following Lindsey Wilson's 2020 national championship season. The Blue Raiders posted a perfect 11-0 record while allowing just 14.4 points per game and tying a program record with 33.5 sacks.

In 2018, Kleckler was named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year. The award recognizes assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to student-athletes, on-field success and involvement within the AFCA.

As defensive coordinator from 2017-21, Kleckler helped establish Lindsey Wilson as one of the NAIA's top defensive programs. He coached four NAIA Defensive All-Americans, two Mid-South Conference Defensive Players of the Year and 27 defensive All Mid-South Conference selections. During his tenure, the Blue Raiders consistently ranked among the nation's leaders in scoring defense while producing several of the top defensive seasons in program history.

Before arriving at Lindsey Wilson, Kleckler spent six seasons at Benedictine (Ill.) as the program's defensive and recruiting coordinator. The Eagles won two Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference championships and advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs twice during his tenure.

Kleckler's defenses led the conference in scoring defense and rushing defense in both 2015 and 2016. He coached 12 all-conference linebackers, 10 all-conference defensive selections and one AFCA NCAA Division III All-American while helping Benedictine compile a 38-22 regular-season record.

Prior to Benedictine, Kleckler held coaching positions at Occidental (Calif.) and Averett (Va.).

A 2006 graduate of Monmouth (Ill.), Kleckler was a two-time all-conference selection as a student-athlete. He helped lead the Fighting Scots to a 39-12 record, a Midwest Conference championship and an NCAA Division III playoff appearance.

Kleckler and his wife, Randi, reside in Columbia with their son, Rory.

Collegiate Coaching Career

2007-08: Averett University (Va.) - Assistant Coach

2009-10: Occidental College (Calif.) - Assistant Coach

2011-16: Benedictine College (Kan.) - Defensive Coordinator

2017-21: Lindsey Wilson University - Defensive Coordinator

2022-present: Lindsey Wilson University - Head Coach


Contact Information

Office: Athletics Football Offices

Phone: 270-384-8217

Fax: 270-384-8078

Mail: 210 Lindsey Wilson Street, Columbia, KY 42728

Email: klecklerp@lindsey.edu


Coaching Accolades

2018 American Football Coaches Association NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year

2020 FootballScoop NAIA Coordinator of the Year

2025 Mid-South Conference Ron Finley Coach of the Year