Luther College

Khayleb Willis enters his third season with the Norse.

Willis joined Luther after serving as the cornerback coach at Tusculum University in Greenville, Tenn. In his first season with the program in 2022, Willis helped produce one of the best defenses in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC), as the Pioneers led the conference in pass efficiency defense, interceptions, turnovers and defensive touchdowns. That same season, three members of the secondary received all-conference honors. In addition to game day coaching duties, Willis spearheaded Tusculum's defensive scouting efforts and was specifically in charge of video breakdown for opposing teams' defensive schemes and tendencies. 

Prior to his time at Tusculum, Willis also spent time at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., as both a player and coach. The three-time all-conference running back served as the Oles cornerback coach from 2020-22 and assisted with special teams workouts and recruiting.

During his playing career, Willis was voted team captain prior to the 2019 season and ranked second in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in rushing yards per game, rushes and total rushing yards as a senior. Willis also received the program's Danielson Award for ongoing inspiration and leadership during his four-year playing career. 

Willis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science from St. Olaf in 2020 and received his Master of Arts in Sports Management from Tusculum.