Lehigh University Athletics
Former captain Tyler Ward returns to Lehigh as assistant coach
5/11/2016 2:36:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head coach Andy Coen has announced the addition of former team captain and All-Patriot League performer Tyler Ward '14 to the Mountain Hawks' coaching staff. Ward will coach Lehigh's rovers and will assist with special teams. He takes over for Mark Surma, who left to become the secondary coach at Lycoming College.
"I am pleased to announce that I have hired Tyler Ward to coach our rover position, and to also assist with special teams," Coen said .Tyler has a great passion for the game of football, which he showed as a player and a captain in our program. I am counting on him to bring that passion to our current group of student-athletes."
A three-year letter winner at safety and a member of Lehigh's 2010 and 2011 Patriot League Championship teams, Ward was named a team captain prior to his senior season and went on to earn first team All-Patriot League honors after leading the Mountain Hawks with 98 tackles. Ward also led Lehigh with two interceptions as the Mountain Hawks finished 8-3. In Ward's four years, the Mountain Hawks posted a 39-9 overall record. Ward appeared in 35 career games for the Mountain Hawks, finishing with 165 total tackles.
Ward spent the last two seasons on the coaching staff at Franklin & Marshall College. He worked with the wide receivers in 2014 before moving back to the defensive side of the ball and coaching linebackers last year. In his first season at F&M, Ward coached three-time All-Centennial Conference receiver Jordan Zackery who set school records for receptions and all-purpose yards. Last season, Ward mentored Luke Foukas who was the Diplomats' second leading tackler and led F&M with 8.5 tackles for loss.
At Lehigh, Ward will work primarily with the rover position that was introduced prior to the start of the 2015 season. The Mountain Hawks return four rovers, with fifth-year senior LaQuan Lambert and senior Joe Barrett coming off season-ending injuries. Senior Evan Harvey and sophomore Matt Butler took most of the reps at rover during Lehigh's spring practice segment.
A Charlottesville, Virginia native, Ward graduated from Lehigh in 2014 with a degree in political science.
"I am pleased to announce that I have hired Tyler Ward to coach our rover position, and to also assist with special teams," Coen said .Tyler has a great passion for the game of football, which he showed as a player and a captain in our program. I am counting on him to bring that passion to our current group of student-athletes."
A three-year letter winner at safety and a member of Lehigh's 2010 and 2011 Patriot League Championship teams, Ward was named a team captain prior to his senior season and went on to earn first team All-Patriot League honors after leading the Mountain Hawks with 98 tackles. Ward also led Lehigh with two interceptions as the Mountain Hawks finished 8-3. In Ward's four years, the Mountain Hawks posted a 39-9 overall record. Ward appeared in 35 career games for the Mountain Hawks, finishing with 165 total tackles.
Ward spent the last two seasons on the coaching staff at Franklin & Marshall College. He worked with the wide receivers in 2014 before moving back to the defensive side of the ball and coaching linebackers last year. In his first season at F&M, Ward coached three-time All-Centennial Conference receiver Jordan Zackery who set school records for receptions and all-purpose yards. Last season, Ward mentored Luke Foukas who was the Diplomats' second leading tackler and led F&M with 8.5 tackles for loss.
At Lehigh, Ward will work primarily with the rover position that was introduced prior to the start of the 2015 season. The Mountain Hawks return four rovers, with fifth-year senior LaQuan Lambert and senior Joe Barrett coming off season-ending injuries. Senior Evan Harvey and sophomore Matt Butler took most of the reps at rover during Lehigh's spring practice segment.
A Charlottesville, Virginia native, Ward graduated from Lehigh in 2014 with a degree in political science.
Players Mentioned
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