An original member of CSU-Pueblo Head Coach John Wristen's staff, Craig Ward is entering his ninth season in 2016. Ward serves as the Director of Football Operations. He served as assistant D-Line coach for six seasons, which included being promoted to the head defensive line coach prior to the 2014 season.
In his time at CSU-Pueblo, the ThunderWolves have morphed into a top defensive unit in the nation, culminating with a 13-0 shutout of No. 1 Minnesota State University, Mankato in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game. The Pack defense finsihed the 2014 season No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense (12.8 points allow per game), passes intercepted (29 interceptions), defensive touchdowns (7) and turnovers gained (43). The defensive line totaled 3.8 sacks per game to finish fourth.
Since 2008, the Pack have five All-Americans on the defensive line (Chase Vaughn in 2008, Grant Jansen in 2011 and Darius Allen in 2013 and 2014 and Morgan Fox in 2015) to its credit. Allen was named the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and was honored as the 2014 Cliff Harris Small College Defensive Player of the Year. In 2014, the defensive line touted four All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selections, as Allen, Tony Campton (all-region selection) and Morgan Fox (all-region selection) all earned first team honors, while Josh Bredl was an honorable mention. Fox was RMAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and the runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Award.
Ward coached defensive tackle Mike Pennel (2013), who went on to earn a spot on the active 53-man roster of the National Football League's Green Bay Packers in 2014. Vaughn participated in 2014 training camp with the NFL's Denver Broncos and earned a futures contract in 2015. Fox was signed by the Los Angeles Rams following the 2015 draft.
A former all-conference linebacker at then-University of Southern Colorado from 1979-82, Ward boasts a 100-tackle season to his credit during his collegiate days. He also played for one season in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers in 1983.
Ward, a 2012 graduate of CSU-Pueblo, and his wife, Annette, have eight children: Shawana, Millie, Anna, D.J., Kimmy, Josh, Patrick and Anthony.
