Mike Ward Hometown: Mansfield, Ohio Position: Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Birthdate: 02/21/1962 Experience: 17th Year Email: wardm@bgsu.edu

To email coach Ward: wardm@bgsu.edu

Mike Ward is in his second season as defensive coordinator at BGSU.

In his first season at the helm of the Falcon defense he helped produce three All-MAC players in Diyral Briggs, P.J. Mahone and Antonio Smith.

Prior to his time as the defensive coordinator he spent seven seasons working with the Falcon defensive linemen and previously was the program's strength coach from 1992-99.

Since the 2000 season, Ward has coached one All-American, one Academic All-American and eight All-MAC performers.

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.

In 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. In 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.

In 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. In 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.

In 2002, he coached Alex Glantzis who earned second-team All-MAC honors. In 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. In his first season in 2000, he saw Hicks earn first-team All-MAC honors after he finished among the MAC leaders in sacks.