• Serves defensive coordinator and linebackers coach
• Joined coaching staff in 2011
• Was an All-MIAA linebacker at Northwest from 2001-04
• Brother of Scott Bostwick, Northwest's 18th head football coach
• Native of Omaha, Neb.
Bostwick was retained by head coach John McMenamin and will serve as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Bearcats.
"Coach Bostwick exemplifies what it means to be a Bearcat,” McMenamin said. “His passion for the game and profound understanding of building and elevating an elite defense are unparalleled. With experience coaching and winning multiple national championships, he knows exactly what it takes to shape a championship-caliber defense. He leads with the same unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence that defined his playing career here."
Bostwick will be entering his 15th season as a Bearcat assistant coach having joined the program in 2011. Bostwick has been a part of seven league titles and three national championships since joining the coaching staff. He was an all-MIAA linebacker at Northwest when he played from 2001 to 2004.
Bostwick has coached 12 first-team all-MIAA linebackers in Carter Edwards (2024), Jackson Barnes (2021), Ben Althoff (2017), Jacob Vollstedt (2015, 2016), Brock Sherman (2015), D.J. Gnader (2013, 2014), Eric Reimer (2013, 2014), Collin DeBuysere (2012) and Chad Kilgore (2011).
In 2024, linebacker Carter Edwards posted first-team all-MIAA status.
In 2023, linebacker Isaac Vollstedt gained second-team all-MIAA honors. Linebackers Andrew Dumas and Bryce Krone nabbed honorable mention all-MIAA status as all three starting linebackers tallied conference accolades.
In 2022, starting linebackers Sam Phillips and Isaac Vollstedt captured second-team all-MIAA status. Vollstedt led the team team with 82 total tackles and was credited with five sacks. Phillips racked up 13 tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
All three starting linebackers earned all-MIAA status in 2021. Jackson Barnes notched a first-team pick. Sam Phillips secured his second straight third-team honor, while Brody Buck garnered honorable mention status.
In 2019, Northwest led the MIAA in team defense, turnover margin, turnovers gained, team tackles-for-loss, team sacks, team passing efficiency defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, passes intercepted, fumbles recovered, defensive touchdowns and fourth down conversion percentage defense. Linebackers Jackson Barnes (second team), Sam Phillips (third team) and Andy Hessler (honorable mention) earned all-MIAA accolades.
Linebacker Nick Hess earned second-team all-MIAA honors in 2018. The Bearcat defense ranked No. 6 in the nation in scoring (14.6 ppg). Northwest ranked No. 7 in the nation in rushing defense (89.1 yards/game).
The Northwest defense continued to be dominating in 2017. The Bearcats ranked first in the nation in scoring defense (9.3 ppg), total defense (212.8 yards/game), blocked punts (7) and third down conversion defense (19.9 percent). Northwest limited the opposition to 62.0 yards per game on the ground. The Bearcat defense did not allow a rushing touchdown in 2017. In fact, Northwest was the only NCAA school to not allow a rushing touchdown all of 2017 - including FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III. Linebacker Ben Althoff earned first-team All-MIAA honors in 2017.
Jacob Vollstedt headlined a group of talented linebackers for the Bearcats in 2016. He was a first team All-MIAA performer and earned multiple All-America accolades, including being named the
Don Hansen Gazette Defensive Player of the Year. Northwest boasted the nation's top-ranked run defense (67.7), scoring defense (12.0) and total defense (240.9).
The 2015 Northwest defensive unit led the nation in six categories and finished atop the MIAA in 15 categories. Brock Sherman and Vollstedt each earned first-team All-MIAA honors. Vollstedt finished the year with 122 tackles and 13.0 sacks, which would have set a Northwest single season record but was eclipsed by teammate Collin Bevin's 15.5.
In the past seven seasons, Bearcat linebackers have collected nine first team All-MIAA honors under Bostwick. Vollstedt, D.J. Gnader and Eric Reimer all earned first team honors in back-to-back seasons. Reimer was twice named an Academic All-America honoree.
In 2011, Bostwick coached Chad Kilgore, one of the most prolific linebackers in Northwest history. Kilgore, who was signed by the Oakland Raiders following his senior season, earned All-America accolades by every publication that covers Division II football.
Bostwick served as the linebackers and special teams coach at the University of Central Missouri during the spring of 2011. Prior to his time at UCM, he spent four seasons as the offensive line coach at Colorado School of Mines.
Bostwick is the brother of Scott Bostwick, who was named Northwest’s 18th head football coach in December and died June 5, 2011, of a heart attack.
A native of Omaha, Neb., Bostwick earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwest in 2005 and received his master’s in 2006. Bostwick resides in Maryville with his wife, Kelli, who is also a Northwest alum. The couple has two daughters, Geordynn and Ryleigh, and a son, Breck.
