Stetson University Athletics

Dustin Kincaid joined the Stetson Football staff in 2025 and serves as Defensive Coordinator while working directly with the Hatters' linebackers. Kincaid came to DeLand after nearly a decade at Bethel University, where he coached linebackers and served as Special Teams Coordinator while working alongside Stetson head coach Mike Jasper. His first season at Stetson marked his move into the defensive coordinator role after helping develop successful linebacker groups and nationally recognized special teams units during his time at Bethel. In his first season with the Hatters, Kincaid was part of a Stetson staff that broke through in Pioneer Football League play with consecutive victories over Davidson and Morehead State. The two-game stretch marked Stetson's first back-to-back PFL victories since 2019. At Stetson, Kincaid oversees the Hatters' defense while continuing to work directly with the linebackers. His background coaching the position at Bethel, combined with years of special teams coordination and involvement within successful defensive staffs, helped prepare him to take over the Stetson defense in 2025. Kincaid's first season in DeLand included an important breakthrough in conference play as the Hatters earned consecutive Pioneer Football League victories for the first time in six years. His second season opened with another strong defensive performance as Stetson held Webber International to 185 total yards in a 45-10 victory. Kincaid's first season as Stetson's defensive coordinator featured a breakthrough stretch in Pioneer Football League play during October. The Hatters defeated Davidson, 35-32, on Oct. 4 to earn their first PFL victory since Oct. 7, 2023 and their first home conference victory since 2022. One week later, Stetson defeated Morehead State, 21-14, to secure back-to-back PFL victories for the first time since 2019. Against Morehead State, Kincaid's defense limited the Eagles to 14 points as Stetson completed a second consecutive conference victory. Stetson's defense delivered a dominant performance in the 2026 home opener as the Hatters defeated Webber International, 45-10, at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. Kincaid's unit limited Webber International to just 185 yards of total offense, including only 46 through the air. The Hatters recorded an interception and a sack while keeping Webber off the scoreboard through the first three quarters. Shug Bentley led Stetson with eight tackles, Dylan Kelly recorded the game's lone interception and Eli Durden added a sack as the Hatters controlled the game on both sides of the football. Prior to joining Stetson, Kincaid spent nearly a decade coaching at his alma mater, Bethel University. He began his coaching career with the Wildcats in 2016 and worked primarily with the linebackers before adding Special Teams Coordinator responsibilities. During his tenure, Kincaid was part of a staff that produced conference championships, nationally ranked defensive units and multiple postseason appearances. He worked alongside Jasper as Bethel developed into one of the NAIA's strongest programs, highlighted by an undefeated regular season and Mid-South Conference Championship in 2022 and the deepest postseason run in program history in 2023. Kincaid helped Bethel finish the 2024 regular season with a 7-3 record while serving as Special Teams Coordinator and coaching the linebackers. The Wildcats fielded another highly ranked defense, finishing among the top 10 nationally in scoring defense at 13 points allowed per game and total defense at 264 yards per game. Bethel also ranked among the nation's top 20 in rushing defense at 99 yards per game and passing defense at 165 yards per contest. Within Kincaid's position group, linebackers Brody Franks and Darrien Lewis earned All-Conference recognition. On special teams, Bethel's punt and punt-return units ranked among the best in the NAIA. Bethel finished the 2023 regular season 10-1 and produced the deepest postseason run in program history. As part of the Wildcats' defensive staff, Kincaid coached a linebacker group featuring All-Conference performers Darian Burns and Darrien Lewis. Bethel's defense ranked among the top five nationally in several major statistical categories, allowing 12.6 points and 219 total yards per game while limiting opponents to 141 passing yards per contest. The Wildcats also recorded 37 sacks, forced 30 takeaways and intercepted 20 passes while holding opponents to 78 rushing yards per game. Kincaid's impact was particularly notable on special teams. All four Bethel special teams units ranked among the national top 10 in efficiency, while the Wildcats averaged 15 yards per punt return and scored three punt-return touchdowns. Kincaid helped Bethel complete an undefeated 11-0 regular season in 2022, capture the Mid-South Conference Championship and advance to the NAIA playoffs. The Wildcats featured one of the nation's highest-ranked defenses, ranking among the top 10 nationally in scoring defense, passing defense, defensive takeaways, interceptions and third-down defense. As a linebackers coach, Kincaid helped develop All-Conference performer Jakobe Griffin, who established multiple Bethel records during his career. Bethel allowed just 12.3 points and 152.2 passing yards per game while forcing 25 turnovers and recording 16 interceptions. Kincaid coordinated some of the nation's most productive special teams units during his time at Bethel. In 2024, the Wildcats ranked among the NAIA leaders in special teams efficiency. Bethel's punt unit ranked in the national top five while averaging 45 yards per punt behind NAIA and Associated Press All-American Brayden Johnson. The Wildcats also ranked in the top five nationally in punt return average at 14.3 yards per return. In 2023, all four Bethel special teams units ranked among the national top 10 in efficiency. The Wildcats averaged 15 yards per punt return and recorded three punt-return touchdowns. All-Conference kicker Andrew Welch and return specialist Demetrice Gilbert helped lead the units during the season. Developing linebackers was a major part of Kincaid's tenure at Bethel and continues to be part of his responsibilities at Stetson. His position groups consistently produced All-Conference performers while contributing to several of Bethel's strongest defensive seasons. Kincaid coached All-Conference linebackers Brody Franks, Darrien Lewis, Darian Burns and Jakobe Griffin during his later seasons with the Wildcats. His first two seasons coaching the position also produced All-Conference linebackers Jeremy Beaulieu and Anthony Patrick. Kincaid's background as a former Bethel linebacker provides firsthand experience at the position and remains a foundation of his coaching career. Although Kincaid did not coordinate Bethel's defense, he was a member of several staffs that produced highly ranked defensive units during his tenure. In 2021, Bethel led the Mid-South Conference in total pass defense and pass defense efficiency while ranking among the national top 10 in third-down defense and defensive takeaways. The 2019 Wildcats finished fifth nationally with 27 defensive takeaways. In 2018, Bethel went 10-0 during the regular season and captured the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division Championship. The Wildcats led the nation with 37 takeaways, while the secondary recorded 18 interceptions and helped Bethel rank 10th nationally in pass defense efficiency. Those seasons gave Kincaid extensive experience working within successful defensive systems before taking over as Stetson's defensive coordinator in 2025. Before beginning his coaching career, Kincaid was a four-year letterman at Bethel University. He played linebacker for the Wildcats before transitioning into coaching at his alma mater. His experience playing the position became the foundation for a coaching career centered on linebacker development before eventually taking over the Stetson defense. Kincaid graduated from Bethel University in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. He returned to Bethel and earned a master's degree in teaching excellence with a concentration in special education in 2017. A native of Bartow, Fla., Kincaid resides in Haines City with his wife, Sarah, and their son, Tobias.