Brian Ward: officially the DC

[jekelish]

Per his Twitter, anyway

 

[NineOneSeven]

:eat popcorn:

 

[sdhall01]

AWESOME! I don't know enough about DC's to say whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. However, I know HCDB wanted him, so I'm excited.

 

[HeaterCuse22]

Nice

 

[bradrayle]

This is great news! I love the hire. I would love to know how they will finish rounding out the staff. My thoughts are that he hires 1 to 2 coaches on the defensive side with strong recruiting ties to the north east.

 

[texascpa]

Which must mean BGSU has found their coach and it's not Ward.

Edit: Oops, and no sooner do I say that then I see the thread on BGSU's new head coach.

 

[PAcuse]

Which must mean BGSU has found their coach and it's not Ward.

http://syracusefan.com/threads/mike-jinks-named-new-bowling-green-hc.97777/

 

[jekelish]

I've said it before, but three of the coaches I work with have either coached with or against Ward. They're all good friends of his, and all of them absolutely rave about the kind of guy he is as both a man, and a coach.

 

[bradrayle]

I think with the talent we have on defense he can be very successful. We have some very good pieces we need some depth on D line and improve the secondary.

 

[qdawgg]

PhatOrange :eat popcorn:

 

[orangenirvana]

Ward certainly has an interesting coaching history.

1998-2000 Glendale Community College (DC)
2001 Wabash (STC/DB/SCC)
2002-2004 Wabash (AHC/DC)
2005 Missouri Southern (Co-DC/STC)
2006 Tulsa Union High School (DC)
2007-2009 McPherson College
2010 North Dakota State (DB)
2011 Drake (DC)
2012-2014 Western Illinois (DC)
2015 Bowling Green (DC)
2016-present Syracuse (DC)

Babers must have been impressed with Ward's defense while they played against each other in the Missouri Valley conference in 2012 and 2013.

Ward improved Bowling Green's defense ranking from #122 to #78. Not too shabby.

Here's the Bowling Green press release when Babers hired Ward last year...

http://bgsufalcons.com/news/2015/2/13/BB_0213154303.aspx

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio—Bowling Green State University head football coach Dino Babers announced the hiring of new defensive coordinator Brian Ward on Friday (Feb. 13) morning. Ward comes to Bowling Green after serving as the defensive coordinator at Western Illinois University the previous three years.

"We are really excited to welcome Brian Ward and his family to Bowling Green as our new defensive coordinator," Babers began. "Brian's defenses play with a lot of confidence and it's clear how disciplined and well-coached they are. His Western Illinois defense regularly finished as one of the best in the nation and we are excited to see what he does with our Falcon defense."

When Ward arrived at Western Illinois for the 2012 season, the Leathernecks' defense ranked among the bottom of the Football Championship Subdivision in most statistical categories. But, Ward quickly turned the defense around, molding the Leathernecks into one of the top defensive units in FCS football and the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Ward's 2013 defense ranked seventh in the nation in total defense, while ranking third nationally in passing defense. The WIU defense also showed an incredible improvement in passing efficiency defense, tackles for loss, and sacks as Ward continued to implement his scheme during his second year.

"I'm very appreciative to Coach Babers for giving me this opportunity to work with the Falcon defense," Ward said. "I can't wait to meet the players and I'm ready to get to work!"

Under Ward, Western Illinois' defense turned in several unprecedented performances during the 2014 season. In a loss at Wisconsin, Ward's Leatherneck defense stifled Heisman Trophy-finalist Melvin Gordon, allowing him to rush for just 2.2 yards per carry (38 yards on 17 rushes). WIU allowed just nine points in the first half to the Badgers. WIU's strong 2014 season continued under Ward at Northwestern, as the WIU defense was once again up to the challenge on the road in a hostile Big Ten environment. Northwestern managed just 283 yards and 4.3 yards per play against Western Illinois and Ward's defense. Against four-time defending FCS National Champion North Dakota State, Ward and the Leathernecks bottled up the Bison for three quarters, allowing just 17 total points to one of the nation's top offenses.

Ward joined the Leathernecks following a successful season at Drake University. Ward was instrumental in helping the Bulldogs to a 9-2 record and 2011 Pioneer Football League championship. He took over an already impressive defense and made it better as the Bulldogs jumped up the national rankings in every defensive category. As the 2011 season progressed, the Bulldogs' defense got stingier holding five of the final eight opponents to 14 points or less. Drake finished the year second nationally in rushing defense (77.2 ypg), third in red zone defense, fifth in sacks (39), seventh in scoring defense (17.8 ppg), 10th in total defense (295.4 ypg allowed), 13th in tackles for loss (7.7) and 23rd in pass efficiency defense.

Ward coached the 2010 season at North Dakota State. The Bison led the MVFC in scoring defense that season, after finishing dead last in 2009. NDSU also recorded 18 interceptions in 2010.

Ward holds a bachelor's degree in history from McPherson and also has a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. He is married to the former Amy Brandseth, and the couple has three children—Travis, Ellie and Erin.

 

[Crusty]

Defense is going to be a challenge especially if Raymon doesn't come back. We also may lose two suspended players permanently. EDIT - make that Ron Thompson.

 

[44PRIDE]

Anyone else think it odd that his twitter background has a pic of HCSS?

 

[Chip]

I don't know how to rate assistants that I know nothing about but as a positive I'll just offer this. No one on the staff will be a rookie at their respective role. That's a nice change.

 

[jekelish]

I don't know how to rate assistants that I know nothing about but as a positive I'll just offer this. No one on the staff will be a rookie at their respective role. That's a nice change.

That's a very good point. There shouldn't be any learning on the job anywhere on staff.

 

[Fjoinkay]

That's a very good point. There shouldn't be any learning on the job anywhere on staff.

Always enjoy your posts and usually agree. I just think that any coach should always be learning on the job. I think Coach K recently discussed how he continues to learn on the job.

 

[jekelish]

Always enjoy your posts and usually agree. I just think that any coach should always be learning on the job. I think Coach K recently discussed how he continues to learn on the job.

I just meant in comparison to previous staffs, not general learning and evolving. We won't have a first time OC, first time position coaches, etc.

 

[CuseOnly]

Defense is going to be a challenge especially if Raymon doesn't come back. We also may lose two suspended players permanently.

Wasn't this year Raymon's last year?

2011 Iowa Didn't play
2012 Tranfes sit out year
2013 SU Soph Year
2014 SU Junior Year
2015 Senior Year

Marrone petitioned the NCAA based on family circumstances to get another year and it was declined.

 

[721Comstock]

I just meant in comparison to previous staffs, not general learning and evolving. We won't have a first time OC, first time position coaches, etc.

Yes, THIS. Actual experience in their actual roles from GO.

All a refreshing change at SU.

 

[Fjoinkay]

I just meant in comparison to previous staffs, not general learning and evolving. We won't have a first time OC, first time position coaches, etc.

Ok, I thought Lester was a previous HC/OC, and I think Bullough had previous DC experience.

 

[cuse13]

Can anyone give me more insight on the kind of defense he runs? Maybe BGFalcon09 would be good for this if he's still around. Is it more of an aggressive/blitzing type? Has HCDB given us any indication if he envisions us being more aggressive?

 

[phil77]

Can anyone give me more insight on the kind of defense he runs? Maybe BGFalcon09 would be good for this if he's still around. Is it more of an aggressive/blitzing type? Has HCDB given us any indication if he envisions us being more aggressive?

I thought Tampa 2 was thrown around before in a different thread.

 

[mountaincuse]

Believe I read that when he was a head coach (juco?) he was coach of the year.

Will be interesting to see after watching seven years of shafer d, but like the turn arounds he's been apart of, will be interesting to see him work with our guys.

 

[007]

Can anyone give me more insight on the kind of defense he runs? Maybe BGFalcon09 would be good for this if he's still around. Is it more of an aggressive/blitzing type? Has HCDB given us any indication if he envisions us being more aggressive?

DB specifically said that he will determine what style of D they will use once the staff evaluates the talent and skill level of the team. He did say that, in general, he would run the Tampa2 D if there are at least 4 DLs that can get to/pressure the QB.

 

[cuse13]