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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Mike Ward Promoted to Defensive Coordinator
February 08, 2007 | Football
Feb. 8, 2007
Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green State University football coach Gregg Brandon has announced the promotion of Mike Ward to defensive coordinator. He has spent the last seven seasons working the Falcon defensive linemen and previously was the program's strength coach from 1992-99.
"Mike is an outstanding teacher and I have the utmost confidence in him in announcing this promotion," said Brandon. "He has helped make a number of our defensive linemen into key contributors and his experience in our program makes this an easy transition."
He replaces John Lovett who spent two seasons at BGSU and will assume a new position at North Carolina.
"I am both honored & blessed to be the next defensive coordinator at BGSU," said Ward. "It is my job to continue to guide us to the high level which we have historically performed on the defensive side of the ball. We have a great nucleus of players returning who are working hard in our off-season program. Combine that nucleus with an influx of some outstanding defensive talent in our new recruiting class and I am extremely excited to get to work on preparing for the upcoming season."
Last year, BGSU finished fourth in the MAC in overall defense allowing 318.5 yards per game and was third in sacks averaging 2.33 per game.
"Our returning players have developed a confidence in our defensive system," said Ward. "It is my job to get them to play fast and hard on every snap."
Since the 2000 season, Ward has coached one All-American, one Academic All-American and five All-MAC performers,
"I have worked extremely hard to get this opportunity, said Ward. "I want to personally thank Gregg Brandon for this appointment.I have worked with some outstanding coaches here at BGSU and I will blend together a piece of all of them in our style of defense."
Ward, a native of Mansfield, Ohio, was an assistant football coach at the University of Findlay for six years prior to coming to BGSU. He served as the defensive line coach and the strength and conditioning coordinator for the Oilers before leaving in 1992. Prior to that, he was an assistant football coach and strength coach at his alma mater, Georgetown College, for two years. Ward earned a degree in health and physical education from Georgetown College in 1984. He also earned a graduate degree in secondary education from Georgetown.
The Lexington High School graduate received second-team NAIA Division I All-America football honors as an offensive guard in 1983. Ward is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He was twice named as the NSCA Professional of the Year by his colleagues in the Mid-American Conference. Ward and his wife, Jody, have two children, Michaela, 10, and Addison, 5.
Year By Year Highlights
2006: He saw senior defensive end Devon Parks earn first team-All-MAC honors after recording 13.5 TFL's and nine sacks. In addition, senior tackle Brad Williams had four sacks and sophomore defensive end also ranked among MAC leaders with seven sacks.
2005: As the coach of the defensive tackles, he saw Mike Thaler lead the team with 5.5 sacks and earn Academic All-American honors, while fellow senior Monte Cooley also had five TFLs.
2004: His front line of defense was integral in the Falcon squad finishing third in the MAC in scoring defense, fifth in rushing defense, and sixth in overall defense. Ward's interior unit also accounted for 16 of BGSU's 23 sacks and 36 tackles-for-a-loss.
2003: He oversaw the development of some of the best young talent on the defensive interior in the MAC. In addition, his group helped the Falcons finish second the the league against the rush and garner 32 sacks. The Falcons' young defensive line held its own in 2002, ranking third in the MAC against the rush and fourth overall in total defense. In addition, the Falcons led the league in turnover margin for the second straight year.
2002: He coached Alex Glantzis who earned second-team All-MAC honors.
2001: He saw nose tackle Brandon Hicks earn All-American honors and first-team All-MAC accolades as the Falcons finished seventh in the nation against the rush. In addition, three players-Hicks, Chris Glantzis and Ryan Wingrove ranked among the top 10 players in the MAC in sacks.
2000: He saw Hicks earn first-team All-MAC honors after he finished among the MAC leaders in sacks.
