BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has named Bemidji State University's Defensive Coordinator, Joe Ford, as this season's Assistant Coach of the Year.

"Joe has done an outstanding job developing one of the best defensive units not only in the NSIC but D2 football overall," said Head Coach Brent Bolte.  "Since his arrival at BSU in 2023 he has brought his own style of play and blended extremely well with the previous scheme, style of play, and Gang Green mentality.  Couldn't be prouder of his leadership and this units overall accomplishments."
 
This season, Ford has helped develop an explosive defensive unit for the Beavers. The defense ranks seventh nationally and first in the NSIC for total defense, averaging 240.8 yards allowed per game. They hold 27^th in the NCAA for first downs defense, 43^rd in red zone defense, 11^th in rushing defense, 17^th in scoring defense, 24^th in team passing efficiency defense, 23^rd in team sacks, and have heavily contributed to the team's 28^th spot in the NCAA rankings for winning percentage.
 
As well as being near the top in the NCAA as a unit, multiple Beavers have grabbed individual spots in the national rankings. Defensive lineman Cade Barrett sits in 16^th for forced fumbles with 0.27 per game. Fellow defensive lineman Theodus Ringgold is on the other end of those fumbles with two recoveries this season, sitting at 15^th in the nation. Marcus Hansen and Barrett are also in the top 50 for sacks with Hansen sitting in 24^thwith 0.68 per game and Barrett at 41st with 0.64. 
 
BSU has held opponents to under 100 rushing yards six times this season, keeping Michigan Technological University at just 19 yards. They also held Wayne State College to 42 rushing yards and Minnesota State University Moorhead to just 13. The defense also kept Southwest Minnesota State University to 40 yards through the air and held Minot State University to 35. The red-zone defense stopped opponents from scoring seven times, stopping three field goals, grabbing one interception, forcing two fumbles and causing one turnover on downs.
 
Joe Ford joined the Beaver coaching staff in 2023 as the Defensive Coordinator, bringing with him 17 years of coaching experience at the NCAA DII and FCS levels. He previously served as the Defensive Coordinator at NSIC school Sioux Falls for the past three seasons.

A native of Brandon, S.D., Ford has coached at FCS level South Dakota, and NCAA DII programs at Southwest Minnesota State, St. Cloud State and Sioux Falls. He is a defensive coordinator for the third time (eight total seasons) after previous stints in the role at North Carolina-Pembroke in 2016-17 as well as with Minot State from 2007-12 and from 2020-23 with Sioux Falls. Ford was also in charge of the linebackers during his time with the Cougars.
 
Ford earned a Bachelor's degree in health from South Dakota State in 2003 and a Master's degree in teaching physical education from St. Cloud State in 2007. He has also served as a lecturer in the Health and Human Performance Department at North Carolina-Pembroke. He and his wife, Stephanie, have three children, Brynn, Patterson and Sullivan.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State Football program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversFB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).