Mar. 3—BEMIDJI — Bemidji State football head coach Brent Bolte has named Marcus McLin to lead the Beavers' defense, the team announced Thursday.

"We are excited to have Coach McLin join the football family here at BSU," Bolte said in a release. "Marcus has experience in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and has shown his ability to coach at a high level in the league. I am excited to have Marcus lead the 'Gang Green D' and continue our aggressive brand of football on that side of the ball."

McLin is a native of Delavan, Wis., and spent the 2021 season as wide receivers coach at UW-Whitewater. He coached two all-conference receivers with the Warhawks, including all-region and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection Ryan Wisniewski.

McLin began college coaching career at Minnesota Duluth from 2018-20. He served as the Bulldogs' cornerbacks and returners coach in 2018 before being promoted to defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator in 2019. He coached four all-conference defensive backs, including one All-American, during his time at UMD.

McLin earned two All-American honors as a defensive back and one all-region honor as a return specialist during his collegiate career at UW-Whitewater from 2011-14. He helped the Warhawks to three national championships (2011, 2013, 2014) and served as a team captain during his senior season.

McLin started his coaching career at the high school level in Wisconsin, serving as assistant defensive coordinator at Delavan-Darien High School, his alma mater, in 2015. He then moved on to Kettle Moraine High School as the defensive coordinator from 2016-18, coaching seven all-conference players.

Bemidji State finished the 2021 season allowing 31.6 points per game, which ranked ninth in the NSIC. McLin replaces Jamie Bisch, who had served as the Beavers' defensive coordinator for the past four seasons.