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| Wittenberg athletics photo by John Coffman |
Wittenberg University is pleased to announce the hiring of BJ Coad, Wittenberg Class of 2008, as the new head coach of Wittenberg football. Coad, associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Ohio Dominican University, will officially take the helm on Dec. 1, 2025.
Coad returns to his alma mater after compiling an impressive coaching resume, including stops at Wittenberg, Syracuse, Marian (Ind.), Butler and Ohio Dominican. He spent the last two years as the top assistant to former Wittenberg defensive coordinator Kelly Cummings.
"BJ Coad is a true Tiger, and we are thrilled to welcome him back home to Wittenberg," said Brian Agler, vice president and director of athletics and recreation. "He has prepared himself well for this opportunity to take the reins of the Wittenberg football program, and we are looking forward to seeing him take the Tigers back to levels of success achieved during his days as a student-athlete and coach at the university."
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Coad got his coaching start at Wittenberg after earning four letters as an offensive lineman for the Tigers. As a senior, Coad was a starter at left tackle, and he helped the Tigers to records of 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, good for second place in the final standings.
He replaces Joe Nemith, who coached the last three games of the 2025 season in an interim capacity after Jim Collins compiled a record of 20-17 as head coach from 2022-25.
After he earned his bachelor of arts degree in history from Wittenberg in 2008, Coad spent the next four seasons as an assistant on the Tigers’ football coaching staff. After helping the Tigers to a four-year record of 27-14, one NCAC title, and one NCAA Division III playoff appearance as a student-athlete in the program, Coad coached the offensive line for one season and the defensive line for three more. During that time, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 36-8, won two NCAC titles, and advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs twice, highlighted by a national quarterfinal appearance in 2009.
"Coach Coad’s acceptance of our offer ushers in an exciting new era in Wittenberg’s historic football program," said Wittenberg president Christian Brady. "On the Wittenberg Way, we aim for excellence in all things, including athletics, and I am confident that Coach Coad is committed to doing the same in his role as head coach. My thanks to the search committee for its tireless work in bringing this search to a successful conclusion."
During his three seasons as a defensive assistant for the Tigers, Coad’s players earned eight All-NCAC awards, five all-region awards, and six All-America awards, most notably 2009 D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year Eddie Vallery. Wittenberg’s defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in multiple statistical categories in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
"My career has been profoundly shaped by my time as a student-athlete and young coach here," Coad said. "I credit a great amount of my coaching identity and professional success to my time in the Wittenberg football program.
"I can’t contain my excitement about this position. I’m grateful to President Brady and Vice President Agler for entrusting me to lead this team forward and continue to uphold the great football tradition here at Wittenberg."
Coad was a graduate assistant coach at Syracuse for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, making contributions to the linebacker, defensive line, offensive line, and special teams units. The Orange were co-champions of the Big East in 2012, and Syracuse played in bowl games at the end of both of Coad’s years on staff. He coached three all-conference players and three players who were drafted into the National Football League while at Syracuse.
Coad had two stints on the coaching staff at Marian, starting with five seasons as the offensive line coach (2014-18). During that time, the Knights made four playoff appearances, highlighted by a 2015 NAIA national championship, and won three league titles. The 2016 team ranked in the top five nationally in scoring offense per game and total yards per game, and Coad mentored Zach Mitchell to the 2015 Rimington Award, the award given to the top center in the country.
Coad moved across the city of Indianapolis to coach at Butler from 2019-22, again serving as offensive line coach. He mentored five offensive linemen who earned all-league honors for Butler before moving back to Marian as the team’s offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and recruiting coordinator for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The Knights advanced to the NAIA Tournament both years, and nine Marian offensive players earned all-conference awards during that span.
"Throughout the interview process, BJ displayed passion, knowledge, and love for the game of football, Wittenberg University, and the Springfield community," said Melissa Kolbe, Wittenberg class of 1999, women’s basketball head coach, Senior Woman Administrator, and chair of the search committee. "It is a great day for our Wittenberg football program and the entire Wittenberg community."
Coad earned a certificate of advanced studies in instructional design development and evaluation from Syracuse in 2016. He and his wife, Ashley, a Springfield native, have two children, Cecilia and Jamey.
At Wittenberg, Coad played for and coached under Joe Fincham, who retired in 2021 after compiling a record of 224-51 in 25 years as the Tigers' head coach. He replaces Joe Nemith, who coached the last three games of the 2025 season in an interim capacity after Jim Collins compiled a record of 20-17 as head coach from 2022-25.