Marcus Klund will be entering his ninth year (2021-22) as a member of the SBU Football Coaching Staff. Currently, Klund serves as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator.
Under Coach Klund’s tutelage, the Bearcat defense has built a reputation as one of the top defenses in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Bearcat defense has produced 4 All-MIAA and 37 All-GLVC Conference performers that combine for a total number of 41 All-Conference selections from 2013-2020 under Klund’s guidance. He has also coached 5 GLVC Defensive Players of the Week. The Bearcat defense has also produced 6 All-Region defensive selections over the 2016 & 2017 seasons as well as a 2nd team All-American selection in Antion McBee in 2015.
During the 2017 season in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), Coach Klund’s defense finished as the 3rd Scoring Defense (23.3 pts/gm), 4th in Total Defense (353yds/gm), 3rd in Passing Defense (194yds/gm) as well as 2nd in Pass Defense Efficiency (119.4). The Bearcat were 1st in Turnovers created with 24 (33rd in the country), 1st in Interceptions with 17 total, and 1st in Turnover Margin (10th in the country (+12). The Bearcats scored 6 defensive TD’s that ranked 2nd in the conference and 3rd in the country. The defense also finished 3rd in 1st Down Defense, 2nd in 3rd Down Defense (34.5%), 2nd in Red Zone Defense (16th in the country), and 1st in Tackles for a Loss (8.6/gm) that also ranked 9th in the country. The Bearcats received 15 All-GLVC selections. 7 of the 15 selections were defensive players. Highlighting the All-GLVC conference selections for the defense was cornerback Corey Hanger who was a unanimous selection. Hanger was also selected to the D2CCA All-Region 2nd Team
During the 2016 season in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), Coach Klund’s defense finished 4th in Scoring Defense (23.6 pts/gm), 3rd in Rushing Defense (118.1 yds/gm), 3rd in Interceptions (13), 2nd in 3rd Down Defense (32.3%), and the 1st in Red Zone Defense (11th in the country) in conference play. Klund’s defense increased their sack total from 22 (2015) to 32 (2016). The Bearcat defense Finished 2nd in Total Tackles for a Loss with 102 (21st in the country). Klund’s Field Goal Block unit finished 1st in the GLVC and 6th in the country with 7 blocked kicks. The Bearcats had a conference record of 19 All-GLVC selections. 8 of the 19 selections were defensive players highlighted with three unanimous selections in defensive end Via Manuma, defensive tackle Vice Epenesa, and defensive back DeAngelo Tucker. 5 Defensive players were selected to the Don Hansen Super Region 4 Team.
During the 2015 season in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), Coach Klund's defense finished 1st in turnovers created with 26 total (21st in the country), 1st in interception with 17 total (14th in the country), 1st in turnover margin (13th in the country), 2nd in rushing defense that allowed a league best of 3.0 yards per carry (12th in the country), 2nd in 3rd down defense, and 3rd in red zone defense. Highlighting the defensive All-Conference selections was safety Antion McBee who was a unanimous 1st Team All-GLVC selection, 1st Team All-Region, and a 2nd Team D2CAA All-American selection in 2015. During that season McBee broke the SBU and GLVC single season interceptions record (9).
During the 2014 season in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), Coach Klund’s defense finished 3rd in Pass Defense, 3rd in Pass Defense Efficiency, and 4th in turnovers created (18).
During the 2013 in the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAA), Coach Klund’s defense finished 5th in the MIAA in pass defense, 5th in third down defense, and 5th in fourth down defense. The Bearcats had 4 defensive players selected to the All-MIAA conference team. Evan Ray highlighted the defense with a 1st team All-MIAA selection.
Prior to coming to SBU, Coach Klund served as the Defensive Coordinator at Lindenwood University-Belleville in Belleville, IL, which competes at the NAIA level. The 2012 football season was the first for football at Lindenwood University-Belleville. Prior to coaching at LU-Belleville, Coach Klund spent 3 years on staff at his Alma Mater, Lindenwood University. During his 3-year stint at Lindenwood University he coached the Defensive Backs in 2009 and 2010 and the Defensive Line in 2011. The Football program went 30-6 during his three years including a HAAC Championship and a berth in the National Championship game in 2009. In 2007 and 2008, Marcus served 2 years as the Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach at Parkway West High School in Ballwin, MO. Marcus Klund earned his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education & Health from Lindenwood University (Mo.) in 2007 and his Master of Arts in Education from Lindenwood University in 2010. During his time as a player at Lindenwood University, Klund was a 2-time Team Captain, 4-year starter at safety, 4-time All-Conference, 2-time All-Region, and a 2-time All-American selection for the Lions. During the 2004 season, Marcus helped lead the football program to an 11-0 regular-season record (the program’s first undefeated regular-season) and a HAAC Championship. Marcus Klund currently resides in Bolivar, Missouri with his wife, Jamie, and their son Gunner and daughter Sadie.
