MCPHERSON, KS - McPherson College head football coach Brian Ward was announced as the 2009 College Fanz Sports Networks NAIA Coach of the Year in a recent release from College Fanz. This marks the first College Fanz Sports Networks Coach of the Year honor for Ward, who was selected as the NCAA Division III National Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association in 2002.

"Brian Ward has done an outstanding job in building his alma mater into a team that is competitive nationally," said College Fanz Sports Network's director of college relations Jason Dannelly. "He'll be the first to tell you they still have a long way to go before they get to their ultimate goal, but it is apparent after this season that Ward is one of the NAIA's finest coaches."

Ward led the Bulldogs to a school best 9-1 regular season record and the program's first berth into the NAIA Football Championship series.

"I'm very honored to receive this award on behalf of the McPherson College Athletic Department and our football team," said McPherson College head coach Brian Ward. "I won't take credit for the program's turnaround, but I'm happy to represent the college and our administration in receiving this award."

Ward is in his third season at McPherson with a career record of 17-14. The 2009 Bulldogs possessed a high powered offense that scored a school record 486 points (ninth nationally), while ranking sixth nationally in passing offense per game (307.7 yards) and ninth in total passing offense (3,385 yards).

The offense was complimented by an aggressive defense that held opponents to only 20.8 points per game (29^th nationally). McPherson's rush defense was one of the strongest in the nation, holding opposing teams to an average of 82.5 rushing yards per game (eighth nationally).

Prior to McPherson, Ward previously coached at Tulsa Union High School, Missouri Southern State University, Wabash College and Glendale Community College.