Peru State College Athletics

Wade Halvorsen is entering his second season as the Defensive Coordinator (Defensive Backs Coach) for the Bobcats.

In the 2023 campaign, the Bobcat defense featured a national player of the week, four all-conference performers, the Heart Of America Athletic Conference freshman of the year, and an All-American. The defense was anchored by current Canadian Football League defensive lineman Devin Adams. 
 
Before coming to Peru State, Halvorsen had a decorated high school coaching career where he was a defensive coordinator at three different schools: Aurora High School, Kearney High School, and Omaha Westside High School. In his tenure, Halvorsens teams won two state championships while playing in four. Halvorsen was selected to coach in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl in 2022. 

Along with numerous team honors, Halvorsen was able to coach multiple Gatorade players of the year, all-state performers, and future NFL/NBA players. 
 
Before entering the high school ranks Halvorsen began his career at Concordia University (Neb.) Defensive Backs and Strength and Conditioning coach from 2013-2015.
 
While at Concordia, Halvorsen helped coach the Bulldogs to the number one pass defense in the NAIA, 134.7 yards per game during the 2013 season. That season the Bulldog secondary featured three all-conference players and an AFCA All-American.
 
Halvorsen played college football here at Peru State College where he was named team captain for the 2011 season.
 
He has a Masters in education administration from Concordia University (Neb.), a Master’s in exercise science from Concordia Chicago and a Bachelor’s in PK-12 Health/PE from Peru State College.
 
He is accompanied by his wife Sara and two children Adeline and Charlotte.