"A veteran defensive coach who has worked at all levels of college football, Brian Ward enters his second season as the Wolf Pack's defensive coordinator in 2021 Ward will also undertake his first season coaching Nevada's defensive tackles after overseeing the linebacker corps in 2020.
Five members of the Wolf Pack defense earned All-Mountain West recognition in 2020, linebacker Lawson Hall being named to the Second Team. Also named to the Second Team were defensive linemen Sam Hammond and Dom Peterson, while defensive backs Berdale Robins and Tyson Williams were each voted All-Mountain West Honorable Mention.
Hall paced the Wolf Pack defense in tackles (65) and tackles-for-loss (8.5), while also racking up 3.0 sacks. As a unit, the Nevada defense ranked 36th in the FBS in rushing defense (138.1 yards per game), and averaged 2.56 sacks per game. The Pack's defensive showing was highlighted by a standout effort at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, in which it recorded eight sacks and intercepted three passes in the 38-27 victory over Tulane.
Ward comes to Nevada after a four-year stint at Syracuse with the Orange, where he coached two-time All-ACC selection and current Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin. He was hired as defensive coordinator in 2016 and added the role of linebackers coach in 2017. The rise of the Syracuse defense played a large role in the Orange’s win over No. 2 Clemson in 2017 and its 10-3 season in 2018 where the Orange finished the year ranked 14th in the nation and defeated No. 15 West Virginia in the 2018 Camping World Bowl.
Ward’s defenses at Syracuse were nationally relevant, including back-to-back seasons (2017 and 2018) in which the Orange led the nation in turnovers forced in 2018, forced more turnovers in 2017 and 2018 than any other FBS team in the nation, and finished in the top 15 in third-down defense. Syracuse was also top-six nationally in 2018 in turnovers gained, interceptions, fumbles recovered and sacks, while also setting the school record for sacks. He helped develop a quintet of players into All-Atlantic Coast Conference selections during his time with the Orange.
Before joining the Orange, Ward served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Bowling Green in 2015. He oversaw a defense that improved in several statistical categories from the previous year and featured two All-MAC selections at linebacker, including first-team honoree Austin Valdez. Ward also served as Bowling Green’s head coach for the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl versus Georgia Southern.
Ward was a nominee for the Broyles Award – given to the nation’s top assistant coach – in 2017 at Syracuse and he was one of three FBS finalists for Linebackers Coach of the Year from FootballScoop.com in 2015 while at Bowling Green.
Ward’s defensive improvements were a major factor in Bowling Green winning the 2015 Mid-American Conference (MAC) title. The Falcons surrendered 4.6 fewer points and nearly 76 yards less of total offense per game than they did in 2014. In addition, Bowling Green moved up the NCAA statistical rankings in passing defense (up 44 spots), rushing defense (up 20 spots), scoring defense (from 106 to 84) and total defense (from 115 to 86). Bowling Green finished 13th nationally in turnovers gained (27) and eighth in interceptions (20). Valdez was the leader of the unit, racking up 144 tackles and ranking 10th in the FBS in tackles per game (10.3).
From 2012-14, Ward was the defensive coordinator at Western Illinois where he molded the Leathernecks into one of the top defenses in FCS football. Ward’s 2013 unit ranked seventh in the nation in total defense (305.3 ypg) and third nationally in passing defense (149.0 ypg). The next year, the Leathernecks put on one of the most impressive defensive displays of the season against Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon. Western Illinois held the Heisman Trophy finalist to 38 yards on 17 carries (2.2 yards per carry).
Before joining Western Illinois, Ward was the defensive coordinator at Drake in 2011 where he helped the Bulldogs to a 9-2 record and the Pioneer Football League championship.
Ward’s other previous coaching stops include: McPherson College (1997, 2007-09), Glendale Community College (1999-2000), Wabash College (2001-04), Missouri Southern State (2005) and North Dakota State (2010). He spent the 2006 season as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Tulsa Union High School in Oklahoma.
A 1997 graduate of McPherson College, Ward served as the head coach of his alma mater for three seasons from 2007-09, compiling a 17-14 (.548) record. In his final season, he led the Bulldogs to a 9-2 mark, the program’s first berth in the NAIA national playoffs, and was named CollegeFanz.com Sports Network NAIA Coach of the Year. During his head-coaching tenure, the Bulldogs boasted seven All-Americans, two Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Players of the Year, seven NAIA Scholar-Athletes and 39 All-KCAC selections.
Ward holds a bachelor’s degree in history from McPherson and a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. He is married to the former Amy Brandseth. The couple has three children – Travis, Ellie and Erin.
The File on Brian Ward Born: May 22, 1973 Hometown: Glendale, Ariz. Family: Wife – Amy; Daughters – Ellie, Erin; Son – Travis Education: Bachelor's, McPherson College, 1997
Coaching Experience 2020-present: Defensive Coordinator/LBs, Nevada 2016-19: Defensive Coordinator/LBs, Syracuse 2015: Defensive Coordinator/LBs, Bowling Green 2012-14: Defensive Coordinator/LBs, Western Illinois 2011: Defensive Coordinator/LBs, Drake 2010: Assistant Coach/DBs, North Dakota State 2007-09: Head Coach, McPherson College 2006: Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, Tulsa (Okla.) Union HS 2005: Asst. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Special Teams Coordinator/LBs, Missouri Southern State 2001-04: Asst. Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Secondary, Wabash College 1999-2000: Defensive Coordinator/Secondary, Glendale CC 1997: Defensive Coordinator/Special Teams Coordinator, McPherson College
So why do the exact same shitty defense after pushing him out then?
Because he thought Gregory would be a better coordinator? There is no logic to this. Nothing would surprise me. Remember, this guy thought JonDon was a good idea. Who the fuck knows
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