Coach to Coach: Defensive Coordinator, Jordan Belfiori is building an intangible edge blueprint to Butler University's defensive mindset

Photo Courtesy of Butler University Athletics

 By Nate McCray

A month has passed since the last whistle blew at spring practice, but for Butler University’s defensive coordinator Jordan Belfiori, the real grind is just beginning. The quiet hum of the offseason is deceptive—beneath it lies a frenzy of high school recruiting visits, transfer portal evaluations, coaching staff meetings, coaching clinic schedules, and a relentless pursuit of competitive edge. Belfiori, ever the tactician, finds himself in the eye of a whirlwind that never quite settles, where days blur into film sessions, phone calls, and chalkboard strategy. It’s here, in this organized chaos, that the next season’s foundation is laid—not under stadium lights, but in the subtle, unseen battles of preparation.

Jordan Belfiori’s transition to Butler University as the new defensive coordinator marks a pivotal move in his coaching career. Leaving behind his post at Colgate University, where he steadily climbed the ranks and developed a reputation for crafting disciplined, high-performing defenses, Belfiori brings with him a wealth of experience and a relentless work ethic. His decision to join Butler reflects not only a new chapter professionally but also a shared vision with the program’s leadership, and commitment to elevating the Bulldogs’ defense through innovation, intensity, and detailed preparation. For Belfiori, the move is both a fresh challenge and a natural progression for a coach on the rise.  His journey to Butler began in fitting fashion—fast-paced, and full of purpose. On New Year’s Eve, while most were preparing to ring in the new year, coach was in Indianapolis for his interview with the Butler Bulldogs. By the end of the day, he had accepted the job. Without hesitation, he made the long trip back to New York, only to turn around, load up, and make the full trek back out to Indiana. It was a whirlwind start to his tenure, but one that perfectly captured his all-in mentality and readiness to dive headfirst into the next chapter of his coaching career.

When Jordan Belfiori describes the identity of his defense, he does so with the clarity and directness of a lifelong educator. “Short, simple, and sweet,” he says—no long-winded philosophies or endless motivational quotes, just a firm commitment to three core principles. The first is being runners and hitters. That mindset begins with recruiting, where he looks for players with a relentless pursuit to the ball and violent intentions at the point of contact. It’s non-negotiable. “That’s what we want to be. That’s how we want to play.” The second principle is all about mentality, summed up in the phrase: Spot the ball. Born during his time at Colgate, this mantra was forged by years of opening against Power 5 and Group of Five programs with a small academic roster that, on paper, shouldn’t have stood a chance.

Yet, he demanded his players show up with one expectation—to compete their tails off. “I don’t care who we play, when we play, or where we play,” he says. “If they’re putting the football out on the field, I’m bringing my boys to come kick your butt.” That spirit carried into this spring at Butler, where players echoed “Spot the ball, Coach!” through the halls and practice fields, whether it was early Tuesday mornings or Saturday walk-throughs. The third principle, woven through the first two, is his commitment to education, coaching through clear structure and constant teaching. Even moments before our Zoom meeting, Belfiori is fielding a call to help a fellow coach’s brother run a weeklong clinic on base defense and structure. It's all part of the same foundation: being available, being prepared, and building a defense that knows who it is, and how it wins.

Jordan Belfiori is a firm believer in the power of simplicity and nowhere is that more evident than in his use of acronyms to drive home core values. One of his foundational philosophy’s centers around E-A-T—Effort, Attitude, and Toughness. It’s more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a standard. Every time his defense hits the field, whether it’s a pursuit drill, a takeaway circuit, or a team breakdown, they echo one word: EAT. The acronym was born out of self-reflection when Belfiori took over as defensive coordinator at Colgate in 2022. He took a step back to examine what traits defined him not just as a coach, but as a person—and effort, attitude, and toughness rose to the top. Those qualities, he believed, were controllable every day, by every player, regardless of talent or circumstance. Now, E-A-T is more than a mantra; it’s a daily expectation stitched into the DNA of his defense.

When it comes to recruiting and developing linebackers, Jordan Belfiori has a clear, layered approach that goes far beyond just watching highlight reels. Sure, speed, size, and physicality matter, but for Belfiori, those are just the entry point.  He sees linebackers—and often safeties—as the emotional and intellectual core of his unit. That’s why he places heavy emphasis on leadership and intelligence. He wants to know if a kid is a team captain, how they carry themselves in the weight room, whether they put the team first, and how they prepare daily. Once that foundation is established, Belfiori takes it further: he gets them on the whiteboard. He asks them to walk through a base call, explain their keys and responsibilities, and articulate what their defense is doing—not just at their position, but across the field. It’s not about perfection; it’s about awareness, communication, and a hunger to understand the game. He knows many high school athletes aren’t fluent in gap schemes or coverage language yet, but he values those who can at least express what they’re seeing and doing on the field. For Belfiori, the ideal linebacker is a physical, team-first leader with a sharp football mind and the drive to be the backbone of the defense.

For Jordan Belfiori, the transition to Butler University has been rewarding on multiple levels. Coming from Colgate, he’s found a natural fit in Butler’s high-academic environment, where the student-athletes share the same drive, discipline, and dedication to both football and life beyond the game. The players are not only passionate about competing on the field but are also deeply invested in excelling in the classroom, landing internships, and preparing for successful careers. That commitment to being winners in every aspect of life is something Belfiori finds especially fulfilling. Personally, the move has also brought him closer to family, returning him to the Midwest region that feels like home. From a football perspective, he’s stepping into a program that’s been on the cusp of a Pioneer Football League title for two straight years. With a veteran core and a team hungry to take the final step, Belfiori sees a tremendous opportunity to help push Butler over the top—and that challenge, combined with the character of the players, makes his new role deeply rewarding.

While many defensive coordinators across the country lean heavily on traditional metrics—points allowed, rushing yards per game, turnovers—Jordan Belfiori takes a different approach. He proudly identifies as a "feel guy" rather than an analytics coach, and places supreme value on a metric that rarely shows up on stat sheets: elite execution of base fundamental football. For Belfiori, the cornerstone of a successful defense isn't found in holding opponents under 100 rushing yards or forcing three turnovers—it’s in how well his players communicate, destroy blocks, tackle, pursue, and finish. He believes that being the best in the nation at these core fundamentals is the real driver of victory. Belfiori has coached in games won 42–40 and others won 7–0, and he’s seen firsthand that statistical success doesn’t always equal a win. Instead of burdening players with rigid numeric goals, he fosters a mindset rooted in execution and adaptability. If his defense gives up more rushing yards than planned but forces turnovers and scores, that’s a win in his book. For Belfiori, the only number that ultimately matters is the one in the win column on Saturdays—and fundamental football is how you get there.

Looking ahead, what excites Jordan Belfiori most about Butler football is the rare combination of strong leadership, veteran experience, and high expectations that define the program. He speaks highly of head coach Kevin Lynch, calling him an incredible human being and a great coach to work for, and praises the entire staff for their ability to lead, teach, and build genuine relationships with their players. But what truly fuels Belfiori’s excitement is the makeup of the team itself, an older, battle-tested group that has already proven they know how to win. With a solid foundation laid by the previous staff, the mission now is to take that next step forward. The path won’t be easy, with a tough schedule ahead and every opponent treating a matchup with Butler like their Super Bowl. Still, that’s exactly what motivates Belfiori: meaningful football every Saturday, a target on their backs, and a locker room full of players who embrace the pressure that comes with wearing the Butler “B.” It’s a challenge—and a stage—he’s excited to be part of.