Northwestern University Athletics
Fred Wyatt Joins Staff as Defensive Line Specialist
2/19/2026 9:23:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Fred Wyatt will join the Northwestern football coaching staff as the Defensive Line Specialist, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun announced on Thursday.
Wyatt most recently served as a defensive line assistant with the Air Force Academy in 2025. He spent the previous year as the defensive line coach at Southern Mississippi.
A defensive lineman for the Wildcats from 2014 to 2018, Wyatt amassed 57 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two pass deflections and a blocked kick in 40 career games at Northwestern. The 'Cats made four bowl appearances during Wyatt's playing career, winning the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl, 2017 Music City Bowl and 2018 Holiday Bowl.
During his senior season, Wyatt posted 28 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss as he helped the Wildcats capture the Big Ten West title and a Holiday Bowl victory over Utah in 2018. He earned his bachelor's degree from NU in 2018 and his master's degree from the Kellogg School of Management the following year. Wyatt also played professional football with Japan's Tainai Deers in 2019.
After graduation, Wyatt joined the Kansas State staff as a graduate assistant coach. There, he worked with KSU's defensive backs for two seasons, helping the program make an appearance in the 2019 Liberty Bowl. In the Little Apple, Wyatt coached alongside his father Buddy, a 30-year college coaching veteran.
In 2021, Wyatt joined the Missouri Western staff as the team's defensive line coach. He oversaw three Honorable Mention All-MIAA selections in 2022. During Wyatt's two seasons with Missouri Western, the defensive line unit accumulated 33 sacks.
Following his time in Missouri, Wyatt spent one season as the defensive line coach at Eastern Illinois in 2023. That year, EIU finished No. 30 in the FCS in rushing defense (124.6 yards per game) and No. 32 in red zone defense (.765). He worked with Braylon Willis, a postseason FCS National Bowl selection, and Joel Barrows, an all-league honoree.
He made the jump to the FBS level in 2024 with Southern Miss before joining the Air Force Staff. Last season, Wyatt helped oversee the Mountain West's No. 7 rushing defense.
A Lawrence, Kan., native, Wyatt married his wife KyAnne in 2022.
Wyatt most recently served as a defensive line assistant with the Air Force Academy in 2025. He spent the previous year as the defensive line coach at Southern Mississippi.
A defensive lineman for the Wildcats from 2014 to 2018, Wyatt amassed 57 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two pass deflections and a blocked kick in 40 career games at Northwestern. The 'Cats made four bowl appearances during Wyatt's playing career, winning the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl, 2017 Music City Bowl and 2018 Holiday Bowl.
During his senior season, Wyatt posted 28 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss as he helped the Wildcats capture the Big Ten West title and a Holiday Bowl victory over Utah in 2018. He earned his bachelor's degree from NU in 2018 and his master's degree from the Kellogg School of Management the following year. Wyatt also played professional football with Japan's Tainai Deers in 2019.
After graduation, Wyatt joined the Kansas State staff as a graduate assistant coach. There, he worked with KSU's defensive backs for two seasons, helping the program make an appearance in the 2019 Liberty Bowl. In the Little Apple, Wyatt coached alongside his father Buddy, a 30-year college coaching veteran.
In 2021, Wyatt joined the Missouri Western staff as the team's defensive line coach. He oversaw three Honorable Mention All-MIAA selections in 2022. During Wyatt's two seasons with Missouri Western, the defensive line unit accumulated 33 sacks.
Following his time in Missouri, Wyatt spent one season as the defensive line coach at Eastern Illinois in 2023. That year, EIU finished No. 30 in the FCS in rushing defense (124.6 yards per game) and No. 32 in red zone defense (.765). He worked with Braylon Willis, a postseason FCS National Bowl selection, and Joel Barrows, an all-league honoree.
He made the jump to the FBS level in 2024 with Southern Miss before joining the Air Force Staff. Last season, Wyatt helped oversee the Mountain West's No. 7 rushing defense.
A Lawrence, Kan., native, Wyatt married his wife KyAnne in 2022.
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