2012 Football Coaches
Kirk Wherritt Image
Kirk Wherritt - Head Coach - 3rd Season
Head Coach

Kirk Wherritt enters his third season at the helm of the TIU Trojans.  The native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2003 and began his life in football as a volunteer assistant and  equipment manager at Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2002.

In 2004, Wherritt traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to work for Urban Meyer and the Univeristy of Utah as an Offensive Assistant.  It was during the 2004 season where Wherritt was able to be a part of an undeated season and a Fiesta Bowl Victory.  

After his stint with the Utes, he stayed in the Mountain West Conference as he followed former Utah Offensive Coordinator Mike Sanford to the Runnin' Rebels of UNLV in 2005.  "Coach Sanford was the first genuine Christian male figure in my life,  he helped me grow so much as a man of God," explains Wherritt.  He worked with the defensive line during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.  In 2007 Wherritt moved over to the offensive side of the ball as an assistant under then Offensive Coordinator Todd Berry.  Coach Berry left an important mark on Wherritt's coaching foundation.  He coached tight ends in his last season at UNLV and earned his Master's Degree in 2008.

Later in 2008, his travels brought him to Deerfield, IL as he was named offensive coordinator for the Trojans.  After serving 2 seasons as Offensive Coordinator Wherritt was appointed Head Coach on December 11, 2009.  

Coach Wherritt led the Trojans to a win in their first game of the year which snapped a 19 game losing streak.  Later in 2010, the Trojans had their highlight game as they erased a 34-0 deficit against Olivet Nazerene and won the game 41-40.

Trojan football is built on the foundation of bringing glory to God on the the football field, in the classroom, and community.  "I believe in the The Great Commision, to go make disciples of all nations.  Our student-athletes are more than football players.  We are very intentional with teaching our players how to obey and love God," Wherritt.      

Coach Wherritt and his wife Keli reside in the Chicagoland area with their daughter Kenzie(1) and future addition to their family as they are expecting a son.

 
Ashton Aikens Image
Ashton Aikens - Assistant Coach - 3rd Season
Assistant Coach

Aikens begins his third season as the Trojans Wide Receivers & Tight Ends coach. Aikens will also assume the role of Specials Teams Coordinator this fall. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Aikens earned his bachelor of science in Communications from Northwestern University in 2005. During that time he was a four year starter at wide receiver for the Wildcats. A highly recruited running back out of Detroit Country Day High School, Aikens made the switch to receiver his freshman year and was named Offensive Newcomer of the Year for the Wildcats. In 2004 Aikens was named the recipient of the Rashidi Wheeler Award. Aikens is pursuing a Master of Arts at Trinity Graduate School. He is married to the former Carla Dorsey. The couple reside in Chicago, IL. 

   

Kelvin Bell Image
Kelvin Bell - Assistant Coach - 2nd Season
Assistant Coach
Kelvin Bell enters his second year as an assistant football coach at Trinity International University coaching the offensive line. Bell comes to TIU after serving two seasons (2008-09) as offensive line coach at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska and helped lead the Wildcats to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2008. In two seasons at WSC Bell coached five offensive linemen who went on to earn all-conference, all-region and all-american honors. Before coaching at WSC Bell coached the offensive line for two seasons (2006-2007) at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. His first coaching opportunity was at Regina High School in Iowa City, Iowa from 2004-05 where he served as Junior High coach and weight room supervisor. A native of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Bell earned his bachelor of science in computer science and mathematics from the University of Iowa in 2005.  He was a member of the Hawkeye football team from 2000-03 and played defensive tackle. He resides in Deerfield, IL.
Tim Jager Image
Tim Jager - Assistant Coach - 2nd Season
Assistant Coach
Tim Jager enters his second season as the Trojan Defensive Line coach. However, Jager is no stranger to the TIU football program. He played defensive line for the Trojans from 2003-2007. Jager graduated from Trinity in 2008 and now a teacher at Viking Middle School in Gurnee, Illinois. He really enjoyed his time here as Trojan football player and looks forward to being part of the program again.  He is married to the former Jesse Edson. The couple reside in Round Lake, IL. 
Josiah Sheedlo - Assistant Coach - 3rd Season
Assistant Coach
Josh Tooley Image
Josh Tooley - Assistant Coach - 6th Season
Assistant Coach

Josh Tooley is entering his 6th season coaching at Trinity and his 2nd as Defensive Coordinator. In addition to his role as Defensive Coordinator Tooley coaches the Trojan linebackers.Tooley is a native of Libertyville, IL. He attended TIU both as an undergraduate and graduate student. He played linebacker for TIU from 2002-2006. He currently resides in Highwood, Il.

Joe Kenney Image
Joe Kenney - Grad Assistant - 2nd Season
Grad Assistant
Joe Kenney enters his second season as Defensive Back coach for the Trojans. Kenney comes to TIU from Colorado Springs Christian High School in Colorad Springs, Colorado. For two seasons at CSCHS Kenney coached the varsity defensive backs and wide recievers as well as serving as Head JV coach. A native of Colorado Springs, CO, Kenney earned his degree in Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado. During that time he played linebacker for the UNC Bears football team. Joe Kenney is the older brother of Trojan running back Thomas Kenney. He is pursuing a Master of Arts at The Trinity Graduate School. He resides in Deerfield, IL.