North Park University Athletics

Bear begins his third season as the offensive coordinator, strength and conditioning coach and quarterbacks for the Vikings. After successful coaching stints at Liberty University, Emory and Henry College and neighboring College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Wheaton College where he served as the Thunder’s offensive line coach and video coordinator, Bear served as the graduate assistant coach for the offense, tackles and tight ends at the University of Akron, an NCAA Division I program in the Mid-American Conference.

As a member of the Zips’ coaching staff, Bear helped turn the offense into one of the stronger offenses in the MAC. Akron’s total offensive production doubled in total yardage, averaging 427.17 yards per game in 2012 compared to 277.75 in 2011 while its offensive line allowed 14 less quarterback sacks from the previous season (24 sacks in 587 attempts in 2012 to 38 sacks in 376 attempts in 2011). What’s more is the Zips’ offense improved by 14 points a game from 2011 to 2012 and averaged 26.1 points per game.

While serving as the quality control coach and assistant strength coach as well as an offensive assistant in three years with Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, Bear helped turn a Flames squad from a 1-10 team in 2005 to a 10-2 power that earned victories over three Top 25 nationally-ranked teams all while earning a top-15 national ranking.

He has coached 12 All-Conference players, one American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-Region player, two AFCA All-American running backs, five Old Dominion Athletic Conference offensive linemen and one ODAC Player of the Year at three different schools.