Westminster College head football coach Luke Butts was named the leader of the Blue Jays football program in 2024 after a highly successful tenure at Lake Forest College, where he spent 11 seasons developing one of the top NCAA Division III defenses in the country.
During the 2025 season at Westminster College, Butts continued to elevate the Blue Jays program both competitively and nationally. Westminster earned 15 All-UMAC selections — the program’s highest total since 2009 — and was highlighted by Jeremiah Belizaire being named UMAC Defensive Player of the Year and Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year. The Blue Jays defense emerged as one of the nation’s top units, finishing fifth nationally in NCAA Division III in both tackles for loss and sacks, reflecting the continued growth, physicality, and development of the program under Butts’ leadership.
A proven leader with extensive experience in defensive coordination, recruiting, player development, academics, and culture building, Butts arrived at Westminster following seven seasons as defensive coordinator and six as linebackers coach at his alma mater. He also served as associate head coach, recruiting coordinator, academic coordinator, special teams coordinator, and cornerbacks coach during his time with the Foresters.
Under Butts’ leadership, Lake Forest emerged as one of the premier programs in Division III football. The Foresters captured back-to-back Midwest Conference Championships in 2021 and 2022 and earned consecutive NCAA Playoff appearances for the first time in program history. From 2021-23, Lake Forest compiled a 26-6 overall record while consistently ranking among the nation’s top defensive units.
In 2023, Butts directed a defense that led all of NCAA Division III in scoring defense, total defense, third down defense, passing efficiency defense, and first downs allowed. The Foresters surrendered just 5.6 points and 191.1 yards per game while allowing opponents to convert only 18.9 percent of third downs. His success earned him recognition as one of five finalists for the 2023 FootballScoop Division III Coordinator of the Year Award.
Lake Forest also led the nation in passing defense in 2022 and finished among the national leaders in numerous defensive categories during Butts’ tenure. His defenses consistently produced all-conference and all-region performers, including multiple First Team All-Midwest Conference selections across all three defensive levels for seven consecutive seasons.
In addition to his defensive success, Butts played a major role in elevating the program’s culture and overall student-athlete experience. As academic coordinator, he helped the program achieve a team GPA above 3.0 for the first time in school history. He also oversaw recruiting efforts and coordinated special teams' units that ranked among the nation’s best in blocked kicks and return production.
Before returning to Lake Forest as a full-time assistant coach in 2013, Butts spent one season coaching outside linebackers at Lindsey Wilson College.
Butts and his wife, Danielle, have three daughters and a son, Sydney Lainey, Kallie, and Lincoln.
2024-2025: In Butts 1st year the Blue Jays went 1-9
2025-2026: In Butts 2nd season, the Blue Jays improved to 4-6, with 15 all-conference selections. a conference defensive player of the year and defensive lineman of the year. The Blue Jays had a national top 5 defense in tackles for loss and sacks.
