Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics

Ezekiel Combs begins his first year in 2026 as cornerbacks coach for the Mavericks.  Combs comes to Minnesota State from Kentucky Wesleyan and prior to that as a defensive analyst at Mercer University in Georgia in 2025. There, he was a member of a coaching staff that went 9-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 record in the Southern Conference, while earning a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs in 2025.  

Prior to Mercer, Combs spent two seasons on the sidelines at Northern Michigan where he served a dual role as both the cornerbacks coach for the Wildcats, while also overseeing a pair of special teams units as well. Northern Michigan ranked among NCAA Division II’s top squads in net punting average across the 2024 campaign, while NMU’s defensive unit logged 11 turnovers with Combs roaming the sidelines, including seven interceptions.

Before his time in Marquette, Mich., Combs absorbed a wealth of knowledge while on the staffs at both Concordia Nebraska (2022) and St. Norbert (Wisc.) College the following campaign. He dove into multiple roles at St. Norbert, serving as the cornerbacks coach for the varsity squad and defensive coordinator for the junior varsity team.

A product of East Point, Ga., Combs played in 39 games for Lakeland (Wisc.) University from 2017-21 and racked up 180 career tackles (130 solo), five interceptions and an impressive 22 pass break-ups. He was named to the All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference as a senior after turning in 58 tackles and a pair of interceptions.

Combs earned his bachelor’s degree in sports studies from Lakeland in 2021.