Lindenwood University Athletics

Will Finley joined the football coaching staff prior to the 2023 season, as he is serving as the linebackers coach.

In 2024, Finley guided a defensive unit that led the Big South-OVC Association in fumbles forced with 13 and had first-team all-conference selection Vincent King. Lindenwood accumulated 19 sacks on the year.

The Lions earned just their second shutout since 2015 in a 64-0 win over St. Thomas and defeated then No. 6 SEMO 24-12 on November 9 in Hunter Stadium. In the win over the Redhawks, Lindenwood held Paxton DeLaurent without a touchdown pass for the only time this season.

In 2024, Finley guided a defensive unit who boasted two all-conference selections in Kobe McClendon and Ethan Stuhlsatz. McClendon finished the year with 6.5 sacks, fourth most in a single season in program history. During the year, Lindenwood garnered a pair of Defensive Player of the Week honors. Finley helped the defense to its first shutout since 2015 in a 23-0 win over Tennessee Tech during week six of the season. Academically, Lindenwood compiled five CSC Academic All-District selections. 
 
Finley comes to Lindenwood after spending three seasons as the head coach of Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa.  Finley led the Warriors to an overall record of 20-10 during his tenure, as the school earned its highest ranking in school history at No. 22.  Finley helped 41 players earn NSAA all-conference honors, including one All-American. Finley was honored by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as he was named to the 2021 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute.
 
During the 2019 season, Finley served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, as the Warriors finished 7-3 with a final ranking of No. 23.  Defensively, the Warriors ranked seventh in all of NAIA in points allowed per game (16.9), and held opponents to just 104.1 rushing yards per game, which ranked No. 11 in the country.  In 2019, Finley saw 11 Warriors earn all-NSAA recognition, while one player was named NSAA Defensive MVP.
 
Prior to his arrival in Iowa, Finley spent a total of eight seasons at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.  Finley was a graduate assistant from 2011-12, helping the team to a NAIA Playoff Berth in 2011.  Benedictine posted a mark of 16-7 over those two seasons, ranking in the top-25 in each season.
 
Finley was promoted to assistant coach for the 2013 season.  Over the span of five seasons from 2013-17, the Ravens collected a record of 40-17, made two appearances in the NAIA Playoffs, ranked national in each season, and won two Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships (2013, 2017).  In week four of 2018, Finley was elevated in interim defensive coordinator, as Benedictine earned runner-up in the NAIA National Championship game.  The Ravens finished with a final record of 13-2, including an 11-1 mark when Finley took over the defense.  Benedictine won the HAAC North Title, and finished the season with a final ranking of No. 2.
 
As a player, Finley was a varsity letter winner at Benedictine College, where he competed from 2007-10.  Finley attended Coffeyville Community College in 2006 where he played in the Top of the Mountains Bowl.  Finley collected two degrees from Benedictine, as he received his bachelor of arts in physical education in 2010, and earned his masters of business administration in 2013.
 
Finley and his wife Kallie have three boys, Barrett, Lincoln and Turner