EUGENE, Ore. – Guided by a lifelong passion for mentoring young athletes, Kyle Will, M.A. serves as Bushnell University’s director of track & field, head cross country coach, and an adjunct professor. Since joining the Beacons in 2023, Will has been committed to shaping a program that develops not only fast runners, but strong, faith-filled individuals.
Before coming to Bushnell, Will led the men’s and women’s programs at Ottawa University in Arizona, where he expanded the roster from 19 to more than 55 athletes in just two seasons and coached numerous conference champions and national qualifiers. He also spent over a decade coaching in Oregon, including at Bend High School, where his teams consistently finished among the state’s best.
With a coaching career spanning more than twenty years, Will has built a reputation for developing competitive athletes and purpose-driven individuals. A certified strength and conditioning specialist, he holds a Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine. Will is recognized throughout the NAIA coaching community for his leadership, faith, and commitment to holistic athlete development, and he was recently named the Les Schwab Coach of Character by the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
We caught up with Coach Will to talk about his coaching philosophy, his passion for pouring into students’ lives, and how he views his work as a form of ministry.
Faith at the Finish Line
Will’s approach to coaching blends faith, mentorship, and a commitment to community. One of his most memorable moments since joining Bushnell came when he was asked to baptize two of his athletes in the McKenzie River.
“I still get emotional thinking about it,” he reflects. “To be part of that kind of eternal commitment — it’s amazing. That’s why I’m here.”
For Will, Bushnell stood out from the moment he first stepped on campus. “I had been interviewing all over the country,” he recalls, “but when I met the people here, it just felt different. The relationships, the authenticity — it felt right from day one.”
Finding Purpose in Every Step
Whether he is coaching on the track, teaching in the classroom, or walking his dog along the Millrace behind Morse Center, Will finds daily reminders of the beauty and purpose in his work.
“Every day I come to work, I think about how beautiful this place is,” he says. “Our maintenance and grounds crews take such pride in what they do. There’s a sense of care and purpose that runs through everything here.”
That sense of purpose fuels his approach to leadership. “Our athletic department isn’t pressed to win,” he says. “Of course, we want to be competitive, but our focus is on touching lives. We have a chance to help young men and women grow through challenges, and that’s what makes Bushnell unique.”
Coaching Beyond the Track
With a career spanning more than two decades, Will has coached numerous conference champions and national qualifiers, served on multiple NAIA national committees, and led successful programs at both the high school and collegiate levels. Even so, it is the relational side of coaching that continues to inspire him most.
“It’s not always easy — it’s long days and hard conversations — but every evening when I go home, I’m grateful,” Will shares. “Even if I don’t remember everything that happened that day, I know God used me because I had athletes in my office, sharing life.”
Will encourages students to lean into Bushnell’s close-knit community and form relationships that stretch beyond academics and athletics.
“Get involved. Build real, honest relationships. Learn to communicate clearly and openly. Those are lessons that will carry you far beyond college,” he says.
A Life Poured Out
Will’s professional journey has taken him from Bend, Oregon, to Arkansas, to Arizona, and back to the Pacific Northwest. Through every step, Will’s career has been defined by a passion for faith-driven coaching and transformational mentorship. Each step, he says, has led him closer to his purpose.
“Every day that God opens my eyes, I know I’m called to come here and pour into kids,” he says. “That’s what drives me. That’s what keeps me going.”
Learn more about Bushnell Athletics and Coach Will’s program at bushnellbeacons.com.