WILMINGTON – Wilmington College head coach Stacey Hairston rounded out his full-time staff with the hirings of Andrew Fries and Bryce Bozman.
Fries will serve as the Quakers' recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach, while Bozman joins the staff as the defensive line coach and strength & conditioning coach. Hairston also announced Marque Jones, Will Isaac and Will Bowman have been retained as part-time coaches.
After one year away from the Ohio Athletic Conference, Fries returns to Ohio. A former player and graduate assistant at Otterbein, Fries spent the past year as the offensive line coach/running game coordinator at Lakeland College. The Muskies averaged 157.4 yards on the ground in 2012, and one of his linemen earned second team All-Northern Athletics Conference.
"Andy brings that technical experience that comes from being a great player himself," said Hairston. "His organizational skills and work ethic makes him the ideal coach to mold these young men into true competitors. His experience as an OAC player, an OAC coach, an OAC recruiter will only help to expedite the learning curve for our current players and future players. He is a professional who is well respected and he will help take our recruiting to the next level. The offensive line is a specialized group who needs a coach who will mentor them, challenge them, and teach them. Having a former All American like Andy as my offensive line coach is a true blessing."
As a player, Fries helped Otterbein to a 25-16 record, including the school's first-ever playoff appearance in 2008. He earned first team All-OAC in both 2007 and 2008. He was voted OAC Lineman of the Year in 2008, as well as being named NCAA Division III second team All-Region and third team All-American.
Bozman follows Hairston from Bluefield College, where he served as the part-time defensive line coach for the Rams. A veteran of the United State Army, he spent nearly two years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Following his tours, Bozman he has lent his strength and conditioning expertise at a variety of levels from high school to college to professional indoor football.
"Bryce brings that hard nose coaching style that is needed to develop the defensive line," said Hairston. "His expertise as a strength and conditioning coach is well documented by his many certifications ranging from USAW Level 1, Speed & Explosion, Personal Training, and MMA certifications. Not only will he be able to develop our players on the football field and weight room, he will also help them develop into productive quality young men in society after they graduate from Wilmington College. His experiences in his life will only help to teach lifelong lessons to our young men. Bryce is a great addition to the Wilmington College coaching staff."
Wilmington, coming off a 1-9 season, will kick off the 2013 season on September 7th by hosting Olivet at Townsend Field in Williams Stadium.