Bowling Green State University Athletics
Eddie George Details Staff Changes Headlined by Hiring of Special Teams Coordinator Greg Froelich and Elevation of Joe Bowden to Defensive Coordinator
February 12, 2026 | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach Eddie George has announced updates to the Falcons' 2026 coaching staff as the program prepares for spring football. The changes are headlined by the hiring of Greg Froelich as special teams coordinator and the elevation of Joe Bowden to defensive coordinator.
"We're excited to put the finishing touches on our 2026 staff as we head into spring football," said George. "Continuity, alignment and competitive excellence were priorities throughout this process. We've added outstanding coaches, and elevated proven leaders within our program. I'm confident this staff reflects the standard we're building at Bowling Green and will position our student-athletes for success on and off the field."
Froelich replaces Alex Bayer, who recently departed BGSU to assume the same role at Syracuse. Bowden's promotion follows the departure of defensive coordinator Brandon Fisher for other coaching opportunities.
Additional staff updates include:
Greg Froelich – Special Teams Coordinator
"We're excited to welcome Greg to the BGSU family," said George. "Greg is an up-and-coming coach who has been part of highly successful special teams units at every stop in his career. Special teams play a critical role in the overall success of a football program, and Greg brings the experience, attention to detail, and competitive mindset we value. As we continue to elevate our program, his energy and expertise will be a tremendous asset to our staff and our student-athletes."
Froelich brings experience from both the Power Four and Group of Six levels, most recently serving as special teams quality control coach at Washington during the 2025 season.
He previously spent two seasons at Charlotte (2023–24) as special teams coordinator and running backs coach. Under his direction, the 49ers averaged 145 rushing yards per game, 21.34 yards per kickoff return, and 44.54 yards per punt, reflecting efficiency across multiple phases.
Prior to Charlotte, Froelich worked as a special teams and running backs analyst at Michigan (2017–20) and as a special teams analyst at Illinois (2021–22). At Illinois, he helped guide one of the nation's top special teams units, highlighted by a No. 1 national ranking in ESPN's SP+ special teams rating in 2021. The Illini featured the Big Ten's leading punt returner in Isaiah Williams, while punter Blake Hayes and kicker James McCourt both earned All-Big Ten honors. Hayes was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist, and McCourt tied a program record with four field goals of 50 yards or longer while earning two Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
At Michigan, Froelich was part of staffs that consistently ranked among the nation's best in special teams, including the 2019 unit that finished No. 2 nationally according to Football Outsiders. In 2018, punter Will Hart earned Second Team All-America honors and was a Ray Guy Award finalist.
"I'm fired up for the opportunity to join Bowling Green State University as the special teams coordinator," said Froelich. "I am excited to join the outstanding staff Coach George has put together, with its decades of experience and brilliant football minds. Bowling Green's winning tradition and outstanding leadership are something anyone would be honored to be a part of. I cannot wait to help build a program our players, alumni, and community can be proud of."
A former Michigan student-athlete, Froelich played offensive line and fullback for the Wolverines from 2013–17, earning two varsity letters. He was named to the Big Ten All-Academic Team in 2017 and 2018. Froelich earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 2017 and completed a master's degree in public policy in 2019.
Joe Bowden – Defensive Coordinator
"Joe Bowden is someone I've trusted for a long time," said George. "We lined up together in the NFL, and we have worked side by side every day I've been a head coach. I know how he thinks, I know how he prepares, and I know the standard he holds himself and our players to every single day. Joe brings experience, toughness and consistency to our defense. We're going to continue to play hard-nosed, blue-collar football that reflects this program and help build young men for their future."
Bowden has coached alongside George since 2021, beginning at Tennessee State. Prior to arriving at TSU, Bowden spent four seasons as defensive coordinator at Missouri Baptist. A nine-year NFL veteran, he also coached six seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
In his first season at BGSU as linebackers coach, Gideon Lampron became the only player in the nation to record 100+ tackles and 15+ tackles for loss during the regular season.
Under Bowden's tutelage at Tennessee State in 2024, Sander Ellis — now a Falcon after transferring from Purdue — posted 86 tackles, including 15.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks during a standout freshman campaign. Ellis was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, presented annually to the top freshman in the FCS, and earned Freshman All-America honors.
Additional Staff Updates
Shane Aylward – Assistant Football Strength & Conditioning Coach
Aylward spent the 2025 season as a strength and conditioning intern at LSU and also previously served in the same capacity at Minnesota. A 2024 graduate of Endicott College, he was a wide receiver on the football team, finishing his career with 180 receptions for 2,467 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also earned a master's degree from Endicott.
Zac Garvin – Special Teams Analyst
Garvin spent the 2025 season at BGSU as special teams quality control. He previously served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Community Christian College in 2023. His background also includes graduate assistant experience at Central Michigan (2022–23) and stops at Wake Forest and Wayne State.
Baron May – Offensive Analyst
May played quarterback at BGSU during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, appearing in two career games and finishing 13-of-23 passing for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He gained national attention during the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl when he threw a 43-yard touchdown pass on a fake punt while aligned as the Falcons' punter. A BGSU graduate, May also played at Eastern Michigan and East Tennessee State.
Jack McCarthy – Assistant Offensive Line Coach
McCarthy returns to Bowling Green after serving as a graduate assistant and offensive quality control coach from 2022–24. He originally joined the program in 2017 as a defensive lineman before transferring to Hillsdale College, where he played offensive line. McCarthy appeared in 26 games over four seasons for the Chargers and graduated in 2021.
Richard McNutt – Pass Game Coordinator / Secondary Coach
McNutt enters his second season at BGSU after joining George from Tennessee State. A 22-year coaching veteran, he has coached defensive backs at the NFL, FBS, FCS, and Division III levels. He previously served as pass game coordinator at Southeastern and North Carolina Wesleyan.
"We're excited to put the finishing touches on our 2026 staff as we head into spring football," said George. "Continuity, alignment and competitive excellence were priorities throughout this process. We've added outstanding coaches, and elevated proven leaders within our program. I'm confident this staff reflects the standard we're building at Bowling Green and will position our student-athletes for success on and off the field."
Froelich replaces Alex Bayer, who recently departed BGSU to assume the same role at Syracuse. Bowden's promotion follows the departure of defensive coordinator Brandon Fisher for other coaching opportunities.
Additional staff updates include:
- Richard McNutt adding the title of pass game coordinator to his current role as secondary coach
- Jack McCarthy returning to the program as assistant offensive line coach
- Baron May being named offensive analyst
- Zac Garvin transitioning from special teams quality control to special teams analyst
- Shane Aylward joining the program as assistant football strength and conditioning coach
Greg Froelich – Special Teams Coordinator
"We're excited to welcome Greg to the BGSU family," said George. "Greg is an up-and-coming coach who has been part of highly successful special teams units at every stop in his career. Special teams play a critical role in the overall success of a football program, and Greg brings the experience, attention to detail, and competitive mindset we value. As we continue to elevate our program, his energy and expertise will be a tremendous asset to our staff and our student-athletes."
Froelich brings experience from both the Power Four and Group of Six levels, most recently serving as special teams quality control coach at Washington during the 2025 season.
He previously spent two seasons at Charlotte (2023–24) as special teams coordinator and running backs coach. Under his direction, the 49ers averaged 145 rushing yards per game, 21.34 yards per kickoff return, and 44.54 yards per punt, reflecting efficiency across multiple phases.
Prior to Charlotte, Froelich worked as a special teams and running backs analyst at Michigan (2017–20) and as a special teams analyst at Illinois (2021–22). At Illinois, he helped guide one of the nation's top special teams units, highlighted by a No. 1 national ranking in ESPN's SP+ special teams rating in 2021. The Illini featured the Big Ten's leading punt returner in Isaiah Williams, while punter Blake Hayes and kicker James McCourt both earned All-Big Ten honors. Hayes was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist, and McCourt tied a program record with four field goals of 50 yards or longer while earning two Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
At Michigan, Froelich was part of staffs that consistently ranked among the nation's best in special teams, including the 2019 unit that finished No. 2 nationally according to Football Outsiders. In 2018, punter Will Hart earned Second Team All-America honors and was a Ray Guy Award finalist.
"I'm fired up for the opportunity to join Bowling Green State University as the special teams coordinator," said Froelich. "I am excited to join the outstanding staff Coach George has put together, with its decades of experience and brilliant football minds. Bowling Green's winning tradition and outstanding leadership are something anyone would be honored to be a part of. I cannot wait to help build a program our players, alumni, and community can be proud of."
A former Michigan student-athlete, Froelich played offensive line and fullback for the Wolverines from 2013–17, earning two varsity letters. He was named to the Big Ten All-Academic Team in 2017 and 2018. Froelich earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 2017 and completed a master's degree in public policy in 2019.
Joe Bowden – Defensive Coordinator
"Joe Bowden is someone I've trusted for a long time," said George. "We lined up together in the NFL, and we have worked side by side every day I've been a head coach. I know how he thinks, I know how he prepares, and I know the standard he holds himself and our players to every single day. Joe brings experience, toughness and consistency to our defense. We're going to continue to play hard-nosed, blue-collar football that reflects this program and help build young men for their future."
Bowden has coached alongside George since 2021, beginning at Tennessee State. Prior to arriving at TSU, Bowden spent four seasons as defensive coordinator at Missouri Baptist. A nine-year NFL veteran, he also coached six seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
In his first season at BGSU as linebackers coach, Gideon Lampron became the only player in the nation to record 100+ tackles and 15+ tackles for loss during the regular season.
Under Bowden's tutelage at Tennessee State in 2024, Sander Ellis — now a Falcon after transferring from Purdue — posted 86 tackles, including 15.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks during a standout freshman campaign. Ellis was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, presented annually to the top freshman in the FCS, and earned Freshman All-America honors.
Shane Aylward – Assistant Football Strength & Conditioning Coach
Aylward spent the 2025 season as a strength and conditioning intern at LSU and also previously served in the same capacity at Minnesota. A 2024 graduate of Endicott College, he was a wide receiver on the football team, finishing his career with 180 receptions for 2,467 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also earned a master's degree from Endicott.
Zac Garvin – Special Teams Analyst
Garvin spent the 2025 season at BGSU as special teams quality control. He previously served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Community Christian College in 2023. His background also includes graduate assistant experience at Central Michigan (2022–23) and stops at Wake Forest and Wayne State.
Baron May – Offensive Analyst
May played quarterback at BGSU during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, appearing in two career games and finishing 13-of-23 passing for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He gained national attention during the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl when he threw a 43-yard touchdown pass on a fake punt while aligned as the Falcons' punter. A BGSU graduate, May also played at Eastern Michigan and East Tennessee State.
Jack McCarthy – Assistant Offensive Line Coach
McCarthy returns to Bowling Green after serving as a graduate assistant and offensive quality control coach from 2022–24. He originally joined the program in 2017 as a defensive lineman before transferring to Hillsdale College, where he played offensive line. McCarthy appeared in 26 games over four seasons for the Chargers and graduated in 2021.
Richard McNutt – Pass Game Coordinator / Secondary Coach
McNutt enters his second season at BGSU after joining George from Tennessee State. A 22-year coaching veteran, he has coached defensive backs at the NFL, FBS, FCS, and Division III levels. He previously served as pass game coordinator at Southeastern and North Carolina Wesleyan.
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