Head Coach
Mike Ledford
mledford@westga.edu
Hometown:
Record at UWG: 6-16 (Two years)
For over two decades, Mike Ledford had prepared to take over as the head coach of a collegiate program. Though his first two years as a collegiate head coach were not exactly the way he had always dreamed, Ledford is more than eager to begin his third season as the man in charge of rebuilding the Braves program.
In the summer of 2002, West Georgias program was in a state of turmoil. A mass exodus from the coaching staff was followed by the resignation of the current head coach. Through the turmoil, Ledford stepped to the front to restore order to a proud football program.
Despite a 3-8 record in his debut campaign, Ledford brought a sense of stability to Braves program. Ledford retooled the coaching staff, ending with a group of excellent recruiters who can also teach and motivate a young football team.
His third season has the makings of being a breakout season. In 2003, the Braves were again 3-8, playing the season with numerous true and redshirt freshman receiving ample time on the field. Those freshman are a year older, wiser and stronger. Add in a monster recruiting class that includes two Prep All-America transfers and the mix could be right for a return to greatness.
Prior to his elevation to the head coaching position, Ledford was already a respected veteran of the UWG staff. Arriving as the Braves quarterback coach in 1998, Ledford left his mark on what was a huge season for the Braves. In August, he had a group of quarterbacks who had never taken a snap in college football game. Three months later, sophomore signal caller Jeremy Clements became the GSC Offensive Player of the Year.
Following two seasons as UWGs quarterbacks coach, Ledford in 2000 became the passing game coordinator for the Braves offense. It was an attack that led the way to a national ranking, a piece of the Gulf South Conference title, a bid to the NCAA Playoffs, and most of the 45 new entries into the school records book.
More records fell in 2001 as Ledford became the Braves sole offensive coordinator. The season featured the Braves again with a potent attack. It also featured West Georgia winning at least eight games for a GSC-record seventh consecutive season.
Mike Ledford has been a big part in the Braves recent rich past. He will be the leader in writing the next glorious chapter in the history of West Georgia Braves Football.
Prior to his arrival in Carrollton, Ledford had just completed his third stint on the coaching staff at Maryville (TN) College. He also coached in the collegiate ranks at Gardner-Webb, GSC rival West Alabama, and his alma mater, Tennessee Tech.
A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Ledford also has an extensive background in the high school football coaching. His stops in the prep ranks include a pair of locations in Georgia. He coached three seasons at Northwest Whitfield in Tunnel Hill, and one year at Groves High in Savannah.
Ledford is a graduate of Tennessee Tech University, earning both his bachelors and masters degrees from the institution. He and wife Dianne have two sons, Jacob (10) and Gabe (6).