MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College head football coach
Andy Waddle stepped down Monday (Dec. 9) to accept the same position at NCAA Division I Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. Waddle replaces Landon Fox whose contract was not renewed following six seasons as the Beacon's head coach.
"Andy is football man through and through. But as odd as this may sound, he wins with love. He loves his assistant coaches. He loves his players and their families. He loves his alumni and community supporters. And most of all, he loves his beautiful family," Marietta Athletic Director Larry Hiser said. "But he also loves discipline, hard work and commitment to a goal. I think we had success because he could convince his players that they could love what it took to get to that goal. He taught many of us, especially me, life lessons, and we will keep that culture alive in the next edition of Marietta football. I'm so happy for him and his family and wish him nothing but the best at Valparaiso."
Valparaiso is a member of the Pioneer Football League, the nation's only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The Beacons went 4-7 this fall and posted a 2-5 league record.
"My family and I have loved living in Marietta and leading our football team. This program not only has very talented athletes, but we also have outstanding young men and that's what I'm most proud of," Waddle said. "Marietta will always be home to my family and we look forward to watching the Pioneers continue the success and traditions that we began together."
Waddle's 12-year stint at Marietta College closes with back-to-back eight-win seasons. The Pioneers' current run of success with winning records in seven of the last eight seasons, is the best run in program history since the early 1900's. His 55 wins ranks second all-time behind Joe McDaniel's 65 wins.
Waddle took over a Pioneer program that was winless the year before he arrived and averaged just two wins per season in the previous five. Under his leadership Marietta steadily improved going from one win in his first season to six wins in his fifth season.
The quality of players that Waddle and his staff recruited to Marietta is evident in the dramatic increase in postseason honors claimed by the Pioneers. Waddle is responsible for 101 All-OAC selections, including 41 first team honorees. With most the 2024 All-Region and All-American teams still to be announced, the Pioneers have had 20 All-Region and 20 All-American selections during Waddle's tenure.
The search for Waddle's replacement will begin immediately.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.
