Brian Ward - Football Coach - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Brian Ward

Title:
Interim Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator (Linebackers)

Brian Ward was named Interim Head Coach on Dec. 5, 2015 and will coach Bowling Green against Georgia Southern in the GoDaddy Bowl. Ward, who is in his first year at BGSU in 2015, served as the defensive coordinator and coached the linebackers under previous head coach Dino Babers.

Under Ward, the Falcons’ defense has grown exponentially despite losing nine starters – three whom ended up in NFL Training Camps. The Bowling Green defense ranks inside the top five nationally in interceptions with 20, and is top 10 nationally in turnovers gained. The Falcons defense has allowed 65 less first downs in 2015 than 2014, and has also improved in passing yards allowed (up 29 spots in FBS), rushing defense (up 42 spots), scoring defense (from 106 to 62), and total defense (from 115 to 78).

Ward has not only been impressive working with the entire defense, but specifically with the linebackers. After losing two All-MAC linebackers from the 2014 defense, Ward took both new starters and turned them into All-MAC players in 2015. Austin Valdez was named first team All-MAC, totaling 133 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. He also had two interceptions. Trent Greene was named second team All-MAC at outside linebacker, registering 117 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss.

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 mentored two players who earned MVFC postseason honors in 2014, including second team member Kevin Kintzel. Kintzel led the MVFC in tackles per game during the second half of the season before finishing fourth at 8.4 stops per game (team-leading 92 overall). He added 6.0 tackles for a loss and 3.0 sacks on the year. Kintzel broke up six passes, had two quarterback hurries, forced a fumble and recovered one, as well.

Defensive lineman Kris Harley was also named MVFC All-Newcomer team in 2014 under Ward. Harley started all 12 games for the Leathernecks, recording 35 total tackles on the year, of which 25 were solo stops. Harley added 6.0 tackles for a loss and shared the team lead with 3.5 sacks.

Ward coached a total of seven All-MVFC performers on the defensive side of the ball during his first two seasons at Western Illinois. In 2012, despite losing four starters on defense and having eight players on the two-deep miss a total of 46 games, WIU still spent most of the year as one of the top teams in the country in both scoring defense and total defense. The defensive unit recorded 16 interceptions, the 10th-highest total in program history.

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.

He spent the 2006 season as the defensive coordinator at Tulsa Union High School, helping the program to a state semifinals appearance and holding opponents to just 10 touchdowns in 13 games played. In 2005 Ward was the co-defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator at Missouri Southern. The squad blocked seven kicks that year (four punts/three field goals), set a record with 33 sacks during the 10-game season, and for the first time in 12 years returned a punt and kickoff back for a touchdown during the same season.

Ward served as assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, secondary coach and strength and conditioning coordinator under Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., for four seasons (2001-2004). He was named the 2002 American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division III National Assistant Coach of the Year while at Wabash.

In 2001, the Wabash defense ranked fifth in Division III with 36 turnovers, blocked six kicks, and led the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) in interceptions. The Little Giants were undefeated during the 2002 regular season, NCAC champions and Division III quarterfinalists. The Wabash defense led D-III with 25 pass interceptions and 43 forced turnovers.

Wabash was ranked as high as No. 2 in the 2003 AFCA national poll when its defense ranked in Division III's top 10 nationally in total defense, rushing defense, interceptions and kickoff return average. In 2004 the Little Giants broke the school record by allowing only five touchdown passes during the season.
Ward worked three years (1998-2000) at Glendale Community College as the defensive coordinator in charge of the secondary. His final two years the program won the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference championship, and in 2000 went 10-1 en route to the NJCAA National Championship.

A 1997 graduate of McPherson College, Ward spent three seasons (2007-09) at his alma mater as head coach compiling a 17-14 record. He led the Bulldogs to a 9-2 record and the program's first berth in the NAIA Football Championship series in 2009. In his final season at McPherson, Ward was voted the CollegeFanz.com Sports Network NAIA 'Coach of the Year'.

During his tenure, the Bulldogs had seven All-Americans, two Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) 'Players of the Year', seven NAIA Scholar-Athletes and 39 All-KCAC selections. The nine victories in 2009 set a program record for most victories, the first time reaching the 9-win milestone in the then 84-year history of the program and finished 12th in the final national poll.

He also served a stint as defensive coordinator and special teams coach at his alma mater following his playing days in 1997.

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.