Temple University Athletics
Thad Ward Added to Football Coaching Staff
2.1.19 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Temple Football head coach Rod Carey announced today the addition of Thad Ward to the coaching staff.
"Thad is a tremendous person, a great family man, and an outstanding football coach," said Carey. "I'm excited that he and his family will be joining us at Temple."
Thad Ward was part of Carey's initial staff at Northern Illinois from 2013-15 before leaving to join head coach Lovie Smith's staff at Illinois.
"I'm very excited to be reunited with Coach Carey and I'm looking forward to working with these Temple players," said Ward. "I thank Coach Smith for the time I spent at Illinois and will cherish the memories I built with that group of coaches and players."
Ward coached the Fighting Illini running backs from 2016-2018. In 2018, Ward tutored stand out running backs Reggie Corbin and A.J. Bush. Corbin finished 2018 with 128 carries for 1,085 yards and nine touchdowns. His 8.5 yards per carry was the best in the FBS. Bush added 138 carries for 869 yards and eight touchdowns.
He was brought to Illinois following three seasons coaching the wide receivers at NIU. Ward helped Northern Illinois to a 31-11 record from 2013-15. His success was highlighted by two-time All-MAC honoree Da'Ron Brown's selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Brown caught 68 passes for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Huskies to the 2014 MAC championship. He also helped develop Kenny Golloday, drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round in 2017, and Tommylee Lewis, an undrafted free agent sign by the New Orleans Saints in 2016..
Ward arrived at NIU from Western Michigan in 2012. Prior to WMU, Ward spent one season at Gardner-Webb as the wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator in 2011 following six seasons as the running backs coach at Western Illinois from 2005-10. Ward started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Florida A&M before spending two years coaching high school football at Tallahassee Rickards High School from 2003-04.
