AZUSA, Calif. — Azusa Pacific has announced the return of Bo Beatty to the program as the Assistant Head Coach and Linebackers Coach, bringing back one of the most respected and influential figures in Cougar football history. An APU alum, former standout linebacker, and longtime assistant coach, Beatty returns to the red and black with decades of coaching experience and deep-rooted ties to the program's tradition of excellence.
Beatty, a popular Cougar player in the early 1990s, first arrived at Azusa Pacific as a transfer linebacker from San Bernardino Valley College. He played in 18 games with 12 starts during the 1992 and 1993 seasons under Hall of Fame head coach Jim Milhon, highlighted by a dominant 15-tackle performance vs. Whittier College in 1992.
After graduating from APU in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Beatty began his coaching career almost immediately, joining Vic Shealy's staff in 1995. Over the next several years, he helped shape a series of elite Cougar linebacker groups, mentoring standouts such as Josh Henderson, Jason Gregory, Elbert Baker, Jeremiah Beery, and later Jake Henderson and Ethan Danielson, key contributors to the launch of Azusa Pacific's NCAA Division II era and the program's 2013 conference championship.
Beatty remained on staff through the Cougars' 1998 NAIA national championship season, also coaching under head coach Peter Shinnick, before briefly stepping away in 2000 to focus on his family. He returned for coaching stints in 2006–07 and again in 2009-10, where he oversaw the whips and bandits and helped guide a defensive unit that produced nine All-GNAC selections. That 2016 defense ranked among the top scoring defenses in NCAA Division II, allowing just 16.0 points per game and leading APU to its first-ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance.
"Coach Beatty's impact at APU is incredible," said Head Coach AJ Parnell. "He leads with passion, purpose, and a genuine heart for people. Bo is a vital part of APU Football, and I'm excited to see how God continues to use him to shape our players, coaches, and community."
A two-time graduate of Azusa Pacific, Beatty later earned his master's degree in education in 2000. He has spent much of his professional career teaching physical education in the Covina Valley Unified School District, where he was recognized as Traweek Middle School's 2008 Teacher of the Year.
Away from the field, Beatty is an avid hunter and fisherman. He resides in La Verne with his wife Carrie, also an APU alum, and their daughter Tressa.
