Brandon Andersen is in his third season on the Lindenwood football coaching staff in 2019. He is the team’s linebackers coach.
In his second year, Andersen coached a strong core of linebackers, as Lindenwood allow the fewest yards since the 2013 season. The Lions allowed 385.3 yards per game, the best mark for the Lions in the last eight years. In week two, the Lions allowed just 33 passing yards against Missouri Southern which was the second-lowest mark in program history. Andersen played a strong role in the success of Drew Seers and CJ Bivens. Seers was named third-team All-MIAA, while Bivens was named honorable-mention All-MIAA.
Andersen saw a spike in production from Seers, as he tallied 12.5 tackles for loss and compiled 96 tackles in 2018. Seers had one of two interceptions returned for a touchdown for the Lions. Bivens ranked fourth on the team with 69 tackles, including 11 tackles in the opening week. Bivens had a key interception against Missouri Western, while Seers made a game-saving tackle in the comeback victory in the final game of the season.
In his first season at Lindenwood, Andersen oversaw a linebackers unit that returned no starters from the previous season. His linebackers played a key role in the team’s defense allowing 27.2 points a game, 7.2 points fewer than the previous year. It was the first time since the 2012 season that Lindenwood allowed fewer than 30 points a game for the season. Lindenwood’s linebackers helped the Lions improve across the board statistically, including allowing over 100 fewer yards per game.
Andersen helped true freshman Drew Seers be named the team’s Newcomer of the Year. Seers, CJ Bivens, and Nate Blanchard all ranked among the team’s top-five tackles for the season.
Andersen came to Lindenwood from the University of Sioux Falls, where he served as the linebackers coach from 2012-2016. He was also the recruiting coordinator for his final three seasons in Sioux Falls.
Andersen played a big role in Sioux Falls’ defensive success, especially over the last three seasons. In that span, the Cougars went 32-5 and advanced to three postseason appearances. The 2016 squad, which was ranked in the top-five nationally, won the NSIC Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
In 2016, Andersen helped one linebacker earn first-team All-NSIC, one earn second-team All-NSIC, and one earn honorable mention all-conference honors. In all he has coached seven all-conference performers.
Andersen was a four-year linebacker at Sioux Falls from 2008-2011. He was a two-year starter, and tallied 87 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and four sacks throughout his career. From 2008-2010, Andersen helped Sioux Falls to 34-1, advance to three NAIA National Championship games, and win two NAIA National Championships.
Andersen received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Sioux Falls in 2011.
