DES MOINES, IOWA - Drake head football coach Chris Creighton has announced the hiring of Brian Ward as the Bulldogs' new defensive coordinator.

Ward comes to Drake after serving last season as the defensive backs coach at North Dakota State, where the Bison went 9-5 en route to advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Championship.

North Dakota State's defensive unit ranked sixth and eighth, respectively, in the FCS in scoring defense (18.21) and interceptions (18) in 2010.

The Bison were also the top-rated scoring defense (16.6) and pass-efficiency defense (117.08) in Missouri Valley Conference, while also leading the conference in interceptions and fewest passing touchdowns surrendered. 

Prior to his arrival at NDSU, in 2009, the Bison' defense was ranked ninth in the MVC in total defense, scoring defense, pass-efficiency defense, interceptions, and touchdown passes allowed.  Additionally, NDSU was 97th in FCS in scoring defense (28.9 ppg), 109th in pass-efficiency defense and 116th in total interceptions (3).

"I have known Brian since 1997 and have worked with him for four years," Creighton commented.  "Brian has a great football mind and fits in perfectly to the kind of program we have here at Drake.  Our players will love him."

"I'm excited to be here in Des Moines and working with Drake football," said Ward.  "I know the direction the program is headed, and I'll do my best help keep things moving in the right direction. Coach Creighton is a special person and coach, and I'm looking forward to being a part of his program again."

Ward spent the previous three seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, McPherson College (Kansas) where he compiled a 17-14 record, including leading the Bulldogs to a 9-2 record and the program's first berth in the NAIA Football Championship series in 2009.

Ward was selected the 2009 College Fans Sports Network NAIA Coach of the Year. He coached seven NAIA All-Americans, two Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Players of the Year, seven NAIA Scholar Athletes and 39 all-conference selections.

At the conclusion of his playing career at McPherson, he served as defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator under Bruce Grose for the 1997 season. Under his direction, the Bulldogs set a school record with 12 blocked punts, and ranked second in the NAIA in pass defense and eighth in total defense.

From 1998-2000, Ward served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Glendale (Ariz.) Community College. In his final two seasons at Glendale, the Gauchos were Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) champions and won the 2000 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship by defeating Garden City CC in the Valley of Sun Bowl.

Ward then served as assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, secondary coach, and strength and conditioning coordinator 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.

In 2005, Ward was associate head coach, defensive and special teams coordinator at Missouri Southern State University. Under his direction, the Lions recorded a school record 30 sacks. After serving as recruiting and strength coordinator for MSSU during the spring and summer of 2006, Ward spent the fall of 2006 as the defensive coordinator at Tulsa (Okla.) Union High School.

Active in the community, Ward directed Special Olympic fundraisers, a "Football Reader Fridays" program in the local elementary schools, a community-wide youth football day, toy, clothing, and canned food drives for branches of the National Guard, Salvation Army, and local schools as well as a College Outreach program for the elderly community.

Ward graduated from McPherson College in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in history. He holds a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix and is currently working on an MBA.

A graduate of Glendale (Ariz.) Apollo High School, Brian is married to the former Amy Brandseth. They are the parents of three young children, Travis, Ellie and Erin.