Brian Folkerts - Assistant Coach <br> <em> (Offensive Line)</em> - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Brian Folkerts

Title:
Assistant Coach
(Offensive Line)
Alma Mater:
Washburn, 2018
Office Phone:
(478) 301-4613
Email:

A four-year coaching veteran who also boasts 14 years of playing experience on both the collegiate and professional levels, Brian Folkerts begins his first year at Mercer in 2025-26, as well as his first alongside head coach Mike Jacobs, as the offensive line coach for the Bears. Folkerts joined the coaching staff in Macon in January 2025 after spending the previous season in a similar role at Northern Iowa.

Northern Iowa’s offensive front and rushing attack flourished under the leadership of Folkerts during the 2024 campaign as the Panthers averaged nearly 150 yards per game on the ground, while also ranking among the nation’s best pass protection squads with just 1.75 sacks allowed per game. UNI ran for 200 or more yards in four outings, including a 365-rushing yard performance in a season-opening rout of Valparaiso. The dominance by the unit paid dividends at season’s end as four student-athletes picked up all-conference accolades in the always-tough Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC).

Prior to making the move to Cedar Falls, Iowa, Folkerts spent two seasons (2022-23) as the offensive line coach at NCAA Division II powerhouse Wingate where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a pair of 8-win campaigns, as well as 14 wins inside South Atlantic Conference (SAC) play. Wingate totaled 378 yards per game during the 2023 campaign, including nearly 150 rushing yards an outing, and sent a pair of offensive linemen to All-SAC honors. Porfirio Acosta earned a spot on the D2CCA All-Southeast Region squad as well.

A four-time All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) selection as a starting tackle at Washburn, Folkerts helped lead the Ichabods to 32 wins from 2008-11, including a 2011 campaign that culminated with a second round appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. He logged all-America accolades from D2Football.com at the conclusion of his senior campaign as well.

Following his collegiate playing career, Folkerts signed an undrafted free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints, and later spent time with four other National Football League teams. A two-time NFC South Champion as a part of the Carolina Panthers organization, Folkerts appeared in 28 regular season and three playoff games on the offensive line, as well as a key member of the special teams units. He also played three seasons (2019-20, 2023) in the XFL and AAF leagues as a member of the San Antonio Commanders, the St. Louis BattleHawks and the XFL Champion Arlington Renegades.

Following his professional career, Folkerts returned to Topeka, Kan., as an assistant offensive line coach in 2021 at his alma mater, and roamed the sidelines as Washburn churned out a 9-3 clip and secured its first berth in the NCAA postseason in a decade.

Folkerts earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washburn in 2018. Brian and his wife, Lindsey, have four daughters – Ruby, June, Iris, and Etta. The Folkerts will celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary in March 2025.

THE FOLKERTS FILE
Coaching Experience
2021	Washburn (Assistant Offensive Line)
2022-23	Wingate (Offensive Line/Tight Ends/Fullbacks)
2024	Northern Iowa (Tight Ends/Tackles)
2025-Present	Mercer (Assistant Coach/Offensive Line)

Playing Experience
Four-year (2008-11) starter at offensive tackle for Washburn. Named to D2Football.com All-America team as a senior. Five-year NFL career as a part of the New Orleans Saints (2012), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012), Carolina Panthers (2013-14), San Francisco 49ers (2015) and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2015). Finished career with Carolina Panters in 2017. Also played three seasons (2019-20, 2023) in the XFL and AAF leagues as a member of the San Antonio Commanders (2019), the St. Louis BattleHawks (2020) and the XFL Champion Arlington Renegades (2023).

Education
Bachelor's degree in business administration (Washburn, 2018).

*Family*
Wife, Lindsey, and four daughters - Ruby, June, Iris, and Etta.