University names new football coach
Aaron Krepps from Ada, has been promoted to head football coach of the Bluffton University Beavers.
He replaces Denny Dorrel who resigned after four season to become the Athletics Director at Franklin County High School, his alma mater, in Brookville, Ind. Krepps previously served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Beavers.
Krepps takes over at the helm following Bluffton’s best four-year stretch (23-17 and 20-12 HCAC) since joining the Heartland Conference in 1998. There were three Beavers named All-North Region by D3football.com the past four seasons, including three consecutive Heartland Conference Defensive Players of the Year, an Honorable Mention All-American and the all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
“I am very happy to announce that Aaron Krepps, current offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has been promoted to the position of head coach of the Bluffton University football program with Coach West and Coach Davis continuing in their respective roles,” said Phill Talavinia, athletics director.
“I appreciate Denny’s approach to this transition as it provided us time to have important conversations with the coaching staff. We want to ensure that there is a smooth transition and keep the momentum going that the team has built these past four seasons.
"We recognize that the Bluffton football family is critical to the team’s success in the year ahead. We will be searching for a new assistant coach to replace the open position.”
Krepps' background
Coach Krepps joined the Beavers last year after two seasons as an assistant at Ohio Northern University where he coached the receivers and served as special teams coordinator for the Polar Bears.
Prior to his time at ONU, he was the running backs coach at Alderson Broaddus University (W.Va.), and held coaching positions at Adrian College (Mich.), at his prep alma mater, Belle Vernon (Pa.) High School and as a graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan University. In all of these roles his players received conference, region, national and academic and All-American honors.
He was a four-year letterman as a receiver and kick returner at Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.). Aaron was a two-time All-American wide receiver, an honorable mention All-American kick returner, a 3-time All-President's Athletic Conference honoree and was named the ECAC & PAC Player of the Year as a junior in 2004.
He is a 2006 graduate of Washington & Jefferson, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was selected to represent Team USA in the All-American Aztec Bowl in 2005 and helped the Americans defeat Mexico 53-15 in Toluca, Mexico.
Coach Krepps signed with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League in 2006 where he played in two preseason games. Aaron and his wife, Lauren, and infant daughter, Harlow, reside in Ada.
“I want to share my deep appreciation to Coaches Krepps, West and Davis for their excitement to continue the work to achieve the Bluffton football program goal of becoming conference champs,” said Talavinia.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, November 13, 2026
Thursday, November 12, 2026
- Bluffton Middle School Honor Roll for 1st Quarter, 2026-2027
- Bluffton alumni to discuss lives and vocations in ministry
- Letter: Honoring 20 years of land preservation in West Central Ohio
- Prairie restoration research program on Nov. 20
- Bluffton Lions to hear presentation on humanitarian and disaster relief
- Separate the wheat from the chaff: Multi-ingredient botanicals for cholesterol
- Bluffton Council recap: $5,000 donated for Blaze lights installation
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, November 2-8
- Veterans invited to Bluffton American Legion programs on Veterans Day
- James Raymond Harrod, Jr., 64, was a PGA professional
- Nathan Ulrey, 46, served in the Navy Seabees
- Letter: Thank you, Coach Richards
- Big Brothers Big Sisters launches 2026 year-end giving campaign
- Socktober drive collected 659 pairs for local distribution
- Jeanne Previte, 80, owned and operated Jeanne's Kitchen
- Bluffton Elementary Honor Roll for 1st Quarter 2026-2027
- Lego scarecrow earns GROB top honors from voters
- Former Blufftonite is lieutenant governor-elect of South Carolina
- University to stage costume drama that mixes emotion, humor and contemporary references
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll for 1st quarter of 2026-2027
- Nov. 13 chamber program on Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Monday, November 9, 2026
- Healing and life beyond incarceration explored at Forum
- Nov. 12 opportunity to learn Mahjong
- Door hanger craft class at Pandora library, November 17
- BPL after school movie, November 16
- Hailey's Wellness and Massage provide chair massages at Senior Center
- Bluffton area Women in Business Meeting November 19