EDINBORO, Pa. – Edinboro University President Dr. H. Fred Walker today announced the appointment of Wayne Bradford as head football coach. Bradford had served as the interim head coach since March 29 after Justin Lustig resigned to accept an assistant coach's position with Syracuse. He officially becomes the 15th head coach at Edinboro.
 
"Coach Wayne Bradford exemplifies the strength and persistence that have become fundamental to the DNA of a Fighting Scot," commented Dr. Walker. "After inheriting an Edinboro program that tied a school record for wins, Coach Bradford maintained a confident attitude and led the Fighting Scots to another winning season.
 
"His dedication to Edinboro University is evident in his two decades of service to the Fighting Scots football program. We are certain that our student-athletes are in good hands with Coach Bradford and his staff, and we are thrilled to welcome him into his new role as the permanent coach of our football team."
 
In addition, the University has extended the contracts of assistant coaches Chris Limbach, Colin Neely, Joe Wanson, and Jack Corey.
 
"It is very apparent that we have a very strong staff and we felt it necessary to make sure our program continued in the right direction," related Director of Athletics Bruce Baumgartner. "Over the last two years, Edinboro football has regained the pride that it has had for so many years. We were fortunate that when Justin Lustig left, we had a coach with the experience the love and commitment to the University in Wayne Bradford.


 
"Furthermore, the staff as a whole has exhibited what we feel is so important during these times," he continued. "That's a commitment to bringing in strong student-athletes and then devoting their efforts to better these young men as football players and students living in the Edinboro community."
 
Under Bradford's guidance as interim head coach, Edinboro wrapped up the 2017 season last Saturday with a 63-0 win at Cheyney to win four of its final five games. The Fighting Scots finished the year with a 7-4 record, the second-best record by a first-year head coach.
 
The 2017 campaign was highlighted by a 49-39 upset of 17th-ranked Slippery Rock, along with a 28-25 victory over Mercyhurst. Three of Edinboro's four losses came to teams which will be playing in the NCAA Division II Tournament – third-ranked Indiana(Pa.), California(Pa.), and West Chester.
 
"This is a day I have dreamt of since being named interim head coach on March 29.  This appointment is a testament to the tremendous work ethic of our football players & staff.  We have amazing people in our football program.  I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to be the head coach of the Edinboro Fighting Scots."

Bradford joined the Edinboro coaching staff in 1999 as defensive coordinator under then head coach Tom Hollman. Since that time, he has worked under four head coaches and been a part of 116 wins, including this season. Edinboro has had ten nine-win seasons, the school record for wins a season. Bradford has been a staff member on five of those teams.

That includes last year's 9-2 finish, as the Fighting Scots posted the biggest turnaround in NCAA division II history. Bradford served as the defensive line coach and Director of Development during Lustig's season as head coach. Three of Edinboro's teams during his tenure have reached the NCAA playoffs, including the 2009 team, which finished at 9-4 and reached the Super Region 1 semifinals.

The 2004 edition went 9-3, reaching the regionals semifinals, defeating Bentley before losing to East Stroudsburg. The 2003 Fighting Scots made the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 1995, losing to Saginaw Valley State in the first round to finish 9-3. Those two teams were coached by Lou Tepper, with Bradford serving as defensive coordinator.

Prior to last season, Bradford previously served as the defensive coordinator the last ten seasons under former head coach Scott Browning, and had held the same title in 1999 under Hollman. After overseeing the defensive line for seven seasons, Bradford took over as the linebackers coach in 2006. He returned four years ago to work with the linemen. In addition, he served as the recruiting coordinator.

Bradford has master-minded some brilliant defensive performances over the years in a day and age when offense has taken over. For instance, in 2011 the Fighting Scots ranked eighth in Division II in scoring defense (17.0 ppg.), 11th in pass efficiency defense, and 18th in total defense (292.6 ypg.). Edinboro gave up fewer than twenty points in seven of its 11 games.
He orchestrated the top defense in the country in 2005, as Edinboro paced Division II in scoring defense (9.3 ppg.), total defense (211.2 ypg.), and rushing defense (53.7 ypg.). In addition, Edinboro was third in pass efficiency defense and turnover margin. The Fighting Scots recorded three shutouts, the most since the 1975 team also shut out three opponents. A total of seven opponents were held to seven points or less. The unit had seven all-PSAC West performers in 2005.

In 2006, his defensive unit recorded two more shutouts while leading the PSAC in rushing defense (70.6 ypg.), good for third in the country. Seven players on defense earned all-conference recognition.

In 2008, Bradford guided a young defense that ended up having five players earn All-PSAC honors. The Fighting Scot defense tied for second in the PSAC in scoring defense despite ranking no higher than fifth in any individual category.

Under Bradford's tutelage, Edinboro has had 34 first team All-PSAC West defensive performers. He has been responsible for three PSAC West Defensive Players of the Year, with Ben Stroup earning the honor in 2006, Chris Amico the 2005 recipient, and Seth Fragale the winner in 2004.  In 2013 he coached a pair of defensive linemen – Bobby Kmetz and Chris Williams – to second team All-PSAC honors, and Domenic Principale was a second team selection in 2014. Last year, Mike Shansky earned first team All-PSAC West honors at linebacker.

Bradford joined the Edinboro coaching staff after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Salisbury State. He began his coaching career with the Sea Gulls in 1990, serving as an assistant coach in charge of the linebackers (1990-92) and defensive linemen (1992-94). In 1994, he was promoted to defensive coordinator. He remained in that position through the 1998 campaign, when he joined the Edinboro staff.

In 1997, Salisbury State ranked 38th in NCAA Division III in total defense, allowing just 268 yards per game. His 1995 defensive unit produced a first team AFCA All-American at linebacker, and helped the Sea Gulls finish 7-2 with a berth in the ECAC Southwest Championship Game.

Bradford graduated from Salisbury State in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He completed work on his master's degree in Business Administration from Salisbury State in 1992. In addition to working as a member of the football staff, Bradford was a faculty member in the School of Business. Beginning in 1996, he was the Director of the Business Graduate Programs for the Perdue School of Business.

As an undergraduate, Bradford was an offensive lineman. He played on the 1986 Salisbury State team which finished as the NCAA Division III national runner-up.

Bradford and his wife, Gwen, reside in Edinboro with their 19-year-old son, Nick, who is a sophomore at Edinboro and a member of the men's swimming team, 17-year-old daughter, Julia, a member of the water polo and swimming teams at Villa Maria Academy, and 12-year-old son Mitchell.