Valparaiso University has appointed Andy Waddle, the former head coach at Marietta College, as its new head football coach, as noted by athletic director Laurel Hosmer on Monday. Waddle is expected to be officially introduced at a campus event on Wednesday.

Over the past 12 years, Waddle effectively transformed the Marietta program, located in Southeastern Ohio. When he took over, the team had not won a single game, but he managed to compile a record of 55 wins against 61 losses. Last season, he led the Pioneers to an impressive 8-0 start and equaled the school record for the longest winning streak—13 games—set by the 1920 team. In a significant achievement, Marietta also made its first appearance in the postseason since 1973.

In the last two seasons, Waddle’s teams achieved a remarkable 16-5 record, contributing to an impressive seven winning records over the last eight years. In contrast, the program had only experienced two winning seasons in the previous two decades.

Reflecting on his new position, Waddle expressed enthusiasm about the prospects at Valparaiso, stating, “I believe there is a promising group of young talent on the roster, and we’re eager to invest in these student-athletes while also adding more quality individuals and football players to the team.” He noted that Valparaiso presents a great fit for both his professional aspirations and his family’s well-being.

Prior to his tenure at Marietta, Waddle served for eight seasons as a defensive assistant at his alma mater, Wittenberg University, where he made a name for himself as an all-conference defensive back. His coaching journey also included positions at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and Maryville College in Tennessee.

Hosmer reaffirmed the decision, stating, “His experience in building a successful program and winning culture as a head coach, along with his commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the field, highlighted him as the ideal leader for our football program.”

This decision follows the recent announcement that Landon Fox would not be receiving a contract extension after a six-year stint at Valparaiso, where he recorded a 21-42 overall record.