Wittenberg Football Assistant Coach Andy Waddle Named Finalist For National Award

Andy Waddle (with headset)

Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University football team recently concluded one of the finest seasons in school history. While a number of record-breaking performances occurred on the offensive side of the ball, it was the Tigers' ball-hawking defense that gained the most notice.

Defensive Coordinator Andy Waddle, class of 2003, was the architect of that defense. In recognition of his outstanding work in 2009, Waddle has been nominated by his peers for a Coach of the Year program run by FootballScoop.com, a popular online resource for coaches and college athletics department administrators.

Waddle, who returned to his alma mater in 2005 and took over as defensive coordinator in 2006, is one of three finalists for the Division III Coordinator of the Year award. The other finalists are Mount Union Defensive Coordinator Vince Kehres and Wisconsin-Whitewater Offensive Coordinator Jim Zebrowski.

Waddle's unit has ranked No. 1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) each of the last three years in fewest yards allowed and also ranked first in scoring defense in 2008 and 2009. Even after playing two more games than any other conference team, the Tigers finished the 2009 campaign ranked No. 1 in scoring defense (8.8), pass defense (114.2), rush defense (74.5), total defense (188.7), pass defense efficiency (89.9), opponent first downs (155) and sacks (36).

Nationally, the Tigers rank first in total defense, third in scoring defense, fifth in pass defense, sixth in pass defense efficiency and ninth in rush defense. In the regular season, Wittenberg allowed just one opponent to reach double figures, and no team until second-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater in the national quarterfinals managed more than 250 yards against Waddle's unit.

Ranked No. 11 in the final regular season d3football.com poll, Wittenberg posted the 18th undefeated regular season in school history in 2009, including records of 10-0 overall and 7-0 in the NCAC. Wittenberg won its ninth NCAC title in 21 years in the league, good for a tie with Allegheny for the most in conference history.

The outright title advanced the Tigers to their 13th NCAA Division III Tournament since its inception in 1973. Wittenberg defeated Mount St. Joseph in the first round and Trine in the second round to reach the national quarterfinals for the fourth time since 1998 but first time since 2001. The ride ended with a 31-13 loss at Wisconsin-Whitewater, which has advanced to the national title game each of the last four years, on Dec. 5.

Waddle is one of two Wittenberg graduates in the running for an award in the FootballScoop.com Coach of the Year program. Former Tiger All-American linebacker Taver Johnson, class of 1994, coaches cornerbacks at The Ohio State University. He and Paul Haynes, who coaches the Buckeyes' safeties, are up the Defensive Backs Coach of the Year award.

Winners will be selected by a combination of votes from a panel of coaches and online voting. Click here to learn more about the FootballScoop.com Coach of the Year program and to vote for Waddle and Johnson.

Written by: Ryan Maurer
Photos by: Brad Tucker