Valparaiso University football coach Dave Cecchini has announced the addition of Matt Ford to the team’s coaching staff for the 2017 season. Ford has assumed the role of tight ends coach for the Crusaders.

“We’re excited to welcome Coach Ford as part of our staff,” Cecchini said. “His youthful energy will add a lot to the offensive side of the ball. He’s a proven leader and an accomplished player. He has a familiarity with our offensive schemes, and that’s going to make it a quick learning curve.”

Ford comes to the Crusaders after spending the 2016 season as the tight ends coach at Franklin & Marshall College. He helped guide the Diplomats to a 7-4 overall record and 6-3 conference mark.

A standout offensive lineman during his playing days at Lehigh, Ford competed for a Mountain Hawks coaching staff that featured Cecchini and current Valpo assistant coaches Jason Miran and Vinny Giacalone.

“I thought highly of all three of them, so when I had the opportunity to come work for them, I jumped on it right away,” Ford said. “Coach Cecchini was genius as an offensive coordinator. Coach Miran was a high-energy guy; I admired what he brought to the table. I worked most closely with Coach Giacalone, because he was the assistant offensive line coach. I had a great relationship with all three of them.”

Ford received first-team all-Patriot League honors as a senior in 2015, when he served as a team captain for Lehigh. He started all 11 games in both his junior and senior seasons. The Wall, N.J. native earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in accounting during his time at Lehigh.

“I’ve only heard good things about where this program has gone from when Coach Cecchini got here to now,” Ford said. “I’ve had a small opportunity so far to see the work that’s going into it, and I think if we stick in this direction, we’re going to have a really bright future.”