Bettcher returns to the Colts in his first season as the team's linebacker coach. He has 21 years of coaching experience, including 12 seasons in the NFL. Bettcher was special assistant to the head coach in 2012 for former Indianapolis Head Coach Chuck Pagano.
Bettcher served the last three seasons (2022-24) as the linebackers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 2024, the Bengals finished in the top 10 in the NFL in interceptions (15 – tied-eighth), interceptions returned for touchdowns (two – tied-third) and passes defensed (79 – ninth). Bettcher worked with the duo of veterans Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson. Pratt led the team with a single-season career-high 143 tackles (80 solo) and added 5.0 tackles for loss, six passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Despite playing in 11 games, Wilson eclipsed the 100-tackle mark (104) for the third consecutive season.
Wilson (135) and Pratt (career-high 118) each surpassed the 100-tackle mark in 2023. Wilson's team-leading 135 stops were the most by a Bengal since 2013, while Pratt hit the 100-tackle mark for the first time in his career. The duo combined for 11 takeaways, which tied for the most in the NFL by any linebacker tandem. Wilson's four interceptions tied for the team lead.
In 2022, Cincinnati held opposing passers to a league-low 58.9 completion percentage, while tying for fifth in points allowed per game (20.1) and ranking seventh in rushing yards (106.6). The Bengals opened the season by going seven straight games without giving up a touchdown after halftime, becoming the second NFL team since 1930 to do so. Wilson led the team with 123 tackles and Pratt registered 99 tackles.
Prior to Cincinnati, Bettcher was senior defensive assistant/running game specialist with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. The 49ers ranked third in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (310.0), seventh in rushing yards allowed (103.5) and sixth in passing yards allowed (206.5). Bettcher worked with Pro Bowl linebacker Fred Warner, who compiled a career-high 137 tackles.
From 2018-19, Bettcher served as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants. In 2019, the Giants defense ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per attempt (3.86). He worked alongside current Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who served as the Giants' defensive backs coach in 2018. Bettcher helped safety Landon Collins and linebacker Olivier Vernon earn Pro Bowl selections.
Bettcher spent five seasons on the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff, where he served as defensive coordinator (2015-17) and outside linebackers coach (2013-14). Arizona ranked in the top six in the NFL in total defense in each year Bettcher held the defensive coordinator title, while also ranking fourth in takeaways (82) and defensive touchdowns (11) in that span. In 2017, the Cardinals ranked third in rushing yards allowed per play and sixth in third down defense. Arizona led the league with 48 sacks in 2016. Bettcher guided six players to Pro Bowl selections and four to All-Pro honors as defensive coordinator.
In 2012, Bettcher was special assistant to Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano. During the season, Bruce Arians stepped in as interim head coach for 12 games while Pagano received treatment for leukemia. Indianapolis improved from 2-14 in 2011 to 11-5 in 2012, which tied for the third-largest turnaround in NFL history and earned a Wild Card berth in the AFC playoffs. Arians was named Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year. Bettcher worked with the Colts outside linebackers and helped Robert Mathis get selected to his first Pro Bowl at outside linebacker.
Prior to the NFL, Bettcher spent nine years in the college coaching ranks (2003-2011). He served as linebackers/special teams coordinator at the University of New Hampshire (2011) and defensive ends/special teams at Ball State (2010).
From 2007-09, Bettcher was a graduate assistant at the University of North Carolina, where he assisted primarily with the defense and special teams. He worked with future NFL Draft picks in Robert Quinn (first round, 14th overall – 2011), Bruce Carter (second round, 40th overall – 2011) and Quinton Coples (first round, 16th overall – 2012).
In 2006, Bettcher was a defensive graduate assistant at Bowling Green State University, where he worked with the secondary and special teams.
Bettcher began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of St. Francis (Ind.), where he served as special teams coordinator and defensive line coach from 2003-05. While on staff, the Cougars earned three berths to the NAIA playoffs, including two national championship game appearances. Bettcher also worked with the strength and conditioning staff and was the head track coach (2003-04).
Bettcher was a two-time NAIA Coaches All-American as an offensive lineman at St. Francis (1999-2002). As a senior in 2002, he received the team's Silver Helmet Award for leadership, coachability and performance on the field. Bettcher also competed on the school's track and field team and earned five All-America honors. He placed second in the shot put at the 2001 NAIA Championships. Bettcher was inducted into the St. Francis Hall of Fame in 2012.
A native of Lakeville, Ind., Bettcher and his wife, Erica, have three sons – Colton, Brooks and Cruz – and one daughter, Addison.
2003-2005 | St. Francis (Ind.) | Special Teams Coordinator/ Defensive Line
2006 | Bowling Green | Defensive Graduate Assistant
2007-2009 | North Carolina | Defensive Graduate Assistant
2010 | Ball State | Defensive Ends/Special Teams
2011 | New Hampshire | Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator
2012 | Indianapolis Colts | Special Assistant to the Head Coach
2013-2014 | Arizona Cardinals | Outside Linebackers
2015-2017 | Arizona Cardinals | Defensive Coordinator
2018-2019 | N.Y. Giants | Defensive Coordinator
2021 | San Francisco 49ers | Senior Defensive Assistant/Running Game Specialist
2022-2024 | Cincinnati Bengals | Linebackers
2025 | Indianapolis Colts | Linebackers
