From DII Glory to Big 12 Battlefields: Nate Dreiling’s Relentless Rise to Lead Oklahoma’s Linebackers with Grit and Heart

Nate Dreiling doesn’t carry the resume of a traditional coaching star. He didn’t come from a blueblood college powerhouse, nor did he play under the lights of Power Five football. But ask anyone who has played for him or coached beside him, and you’ll hear the same phrase over and over: “He’s just a winner.” It’s a label that’s followed Dreiling from his days as a Division II linebacker to his current role as Oklahoma’s inside linebackers coach — and it’s not one he takes lightly.

Dreiling’s football journey began far from the glitz and prestige of major college programs. Born and raised in Hutchinson, Kansas, he carved out a name for himself at Pitt State (Pittsburg State University), a Division II program tucked away in southeast Kansas. In a place where players grind for every bit of attention and coaches often double as mentors and motivators, Dreiling found his calling.

At Pitt State, he wasn’t just good — he was elite. A two-time national finalist for the Division II Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American, Dreiling led the Gorillas to a national championship in 2011. His physical toughness stood out, but it was his mind — his ability to diagnose plays, lead by example, and get teammates aligned — that made him special.

“He was a coach on the field,” said former Pitt State defensive coordinator Dave Wiemers. “He understood the game on a different level, and you knew even back then he’d be on a sideline someday.”

After a brief stint in the NFL — including time with the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs — and a short spell in the Canadian Football League, Dreiling turned to coaching full-time. He started at the bottom, just like he had as a player. Quality control roles, defensive assistant duties, video breakdowns, recruiting grunt work — he embraced all of it. It was during this time that he honed the skill that now defines his coaching style: connection.

“He doesn’t walk into a room and expect people to respect him because of his title,” said a former colleague. “He earns it every day. He’s incredibly present with his players, and they love him for it.”

His coaching stops included a return to Pitt State, a defensive coordinator role at New Mexico Highlands, and most notably, a transformative stint at Texas State. There, under G.J. Kinne — himself a rising star in the coaching ranks — Dreiling helped engineer one of the nation’s most aggressive and dynamic defenses. The Bobcats were no longer a Sun Belt afterthought. They were fast, physical, and opportunistic — traits that mirrored their coordinator.

That success didn’t go unnoticed. When Brent Venables began reshaping his staff at Oklahoma after the 2023 season, he looked for coaches who could connect with players, demand excellence, and bring an edge. Dreiling checked every box. His hiring didn’t make national headlines, but it resonated deeply in Norman. Venables — himself a former linebacker and one of college football’s most respected defensive minds — saw something of his own journey in Dreiling.

“He’s cut from the same cloth,” Venables said during spring ball. “Tough, smart, relentless. Our players feed off his energy and preparation. He’s here because he’s earned it at every level.”

The jump from Texas State to Oklahoma might seem like a leap, but Dreiling approached it with the same mindset he’s always carried: outwork everyone. From the moment he arrived, he set about learning every inch of Venables’ complex defensive system. He spent hours in film sessions, broke down every linebacker rep from the 2024 season, and immersed himself in the expectations and culture of Oklahoma football.

It didn’t take long for his impact to show. Players talk about his intensity, his demand for precision, and — perhaps most importantly — his authenticity.

“He’s real,” said returning inside linebacker Kip Lewis. “He’s not coming in here trying to be someone he’s not. He tells us the truth, even when it’s tough to hear. But you always know he’s got your back.”

That authenticity has helped Dreiling bond with a linebacker room in transition. With departures to the NFL and young talent coming up, Oklahoma’s 2025 defense will need to find a new voice in the middle. Dreiling has embraced the challenge, not just teaching the Xs and Os, but also building belief — a trait that defined his playing career and is now shaping his coaching arc.

Dreiling’s focus goes beyond technique. He talks often about football IQ, situational awareness, and the importance of mindset. One of his core beliefs is that linebackers must be the heartbeat of the defense — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. He wants communicators. He wants problem-solvers. He wants players who see the game as he does — like a grand puzzle waiting to be mastered.

To instill that, Dreiling runs some of the most detailed film sessions on staff. He quizzes players on formation recognition, pre-snap alignment, and decision-making under duress. He’ll challenge even the veterans to think like coordinators.

“You can’t just play fast. You have to play smart,” Dreiling said. “It’s not enough to react. Great linebackers anticipate.”

His approach is resonating. In spring practices, Oklahoma’s linebackers showed increased communication and cohesion, particularly in their fits and pre-snap reads. While it’s still early, Dreiling’s fingerprints are already visible. He’s developing leaders, not just athletes.

But perhaps the most powerful part of Dreiling’s story is that he never lost sight of who he is. In a profession often driven by ego and ambition, he remains grounded in the values that shaped him in small-town Kansas and Division II locker rooms. Work ethic. Humility. Passion. Accountability.

He brings those values into every meeting, every rep, every conversation with a recruit’s family. It’s why players trust him. It’s why coaches respect him. And it’s why Venables believes Dreiling is going to be a rising star not just at Oklahoma, but in the national coaching landscape.

“He’s got the heart of a player and the mind of a coach,” Venables said. “That’s a powerful combination.”

For Dreiling, the goal is simple: help Oklahoma win and make his linebackers better men. He’s not chasing headlines. He’s not angling for the next job. He’s all-in on the Sooners, and the players feel it.

Whether it’s coaching the nuances of inside zone, drawing up a late-game blitz package, or taking extra time with a young player trying to grasp his role, Dreiling brings the same fire he showed as a player chasing a DII national title. Only now, the stakes are bigger, the crowds louder, and the expectations higher.

But that doesn’t scare him. He welcomes it. Because underneath it all — beneath the tape sessions and the meetings and the whistles — Nate Dreiling is still the same guy he was at Pitt State: relentless, detail-oriented, and committed to winning the right way.

And in the end, that’s what defines him.

He’s just a winner.