Posted: Jan 23, 2025
Fayette, Mo. - Central Methodist Head Football Coach Dave Brown has announced the hiring of Jesse Ornelas as the new Defensive Coordinator for the program.
"We're excited to have Jesse joining Eagle Football," stated Coach Brown. "I've gotten to know him over the years, and he's one of the most respected coaches in this region. Anytime you can add someone like that to your program, you find a way."
Ornelas comes to CMU after serving the past two seasons as the recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach for the University of Nebraska Kearney, an NCAA Division II school part of the MIAA Conference.
In 2023 UNK's defense was among the MIAA leaders in the red zone, forced fumbles, and sacks. Altogether, Ornelas coached 10 All-MIAA selections on the defensive side of the ball.
Prior to UNK, Ornelas spent the 2022 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at fellow Heart institution, Graceland University, in Lamoni, Iowa.
While with the Yellowjackets, Ornelas coached the Heart of America Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and the Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Under Ornelas, GU was among the national leaders in several offensive categories including passing touchdowns (35) and passing yards/game (328).
He also had coaching stops at Independence Community College (2016-18, 2019, Spring 2022), Iowa Central Community College (2018), Central Oklahoma (2019-21), and FCS member Eastern Illinois (2009-11).
At Independence, Ornelas wore many hats including; coaching both running backs and quarterbacks, serving as co-offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and director of football operations.
He was a part of the 2017 ICC team that won nine games, claimed the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Championship, and won the first bowl game in program history in the Midwest Classic Bowl in Miami, Oklahoma.
Additionally, Ornelas was at Central Oklahoma for two seasons, coaching the Bronchos running backs while also serving as recruiting coordinator and the program's digital/social media coordinator.
At Iowa Central, he was part of another successful squad, as the Tritons won eight games, finished second in the conference, and won the Graphic Edge Bowl. He served as the linebackers coach, recruiting coordinator, and director of football operations.
He began his coaching career as an assistant receivers coach at his alma mater, Eastern Illinois, from 2009-11. Ornelas also gained coaching experience at the high school and college prep level in Illinois from 2012-15.
"Jesse's experiences across multiple levels of college football, and on both sides of the ball will be incredibly valuable as we push to make the next step with our program," added Brown. "I'm excited to see our defense fly around the field under Jesse's leadership."
Ornelas earned his bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Eastern Illinois in 2011, before completing a masters of education degree from Central Oklahoma in 2022.
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