Justin Van Houten enters his sixth season as the McPherson associate head football coach and first as the Bulldogs defensive coordinator in 2018.

In 2017, Van Houten served as the Bulldogs special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. 

Van Houten was the tight ends coach and assisted with the offensive line for three seasons at Grand View University in Des Moines prior to coming to MC, Iowa where he helped the Vikings to their first Mid-States Midwest Conference Championship in the program’s fourth year of existence in 2011.  Under his guidance, two Grand View tight ends were named first team all-conference; one was also named to the Victory Sports All-American team in 2010.

Before Grand View, Van Houten coached receivers and defensive backs at Adel-Desoto-Minburn High School (ADM) in Adel, Iowa.  Van Houten also served as the head freshman football coach at ADM.

In 2008, Van Houten obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication and journalism from Grand View University.  Van Houten recently completed his Master of Science degree in Innovative Leadership from Grand View as well. 

Van Houten hails from Earlham, Iowa where he was a multi-sport athlete and two-year starter at quarterback and safety.