Preston Hadley

Biography

Preston Hadley joined the Bears in December 2022 from BYU. He served as the Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach during the 2023 season before transitioning to Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He enters his fourth season in that role in 2026, continuing to guide the Bears’ defensive growth and development. Under Hadley’s direction in 2025, Northern Colorado’s defense made significant, measurable improvements across nearly every major statistical category. The Bears reduced their scoring defense from 37.5 points per game to 28.4, while also lowering total yards allowed per game from 468.1 to 407.3. UNC improved its passing defense, cutting opponent passing yards from 243.9 to 211.6 per game, and held quarterbacks to a 124.6 pass efficiency rating, down from 159.3 the previous season. The Bears also showed improvement in situational execution, reducing third-down conversion percentage from 46.8% to 37.7%, while nearly doubling their sack total from nine to 17 and increasing takeaway production to 16 total takeaways. Individual development was highlighted by Cam Chapa’s First Team All-Big Sky selection and Hudson Voggesser’s Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors, reflecting continued progress across all three levels of the defense. A respected strategist and recruiter, Hadley also participated in the inaugural Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Coaching Academy in May 2024, a milestone that reflects his emergence as a rising coaching talen