Page 9 - Dresden Buzz 02-21-25

FEBRUARY 21 - MARCH 6, 2025 SPORTS | PAGE 9
Matt Nardo ’07G Returns to Lead Muskingum Football Programn

submitted
Matt Nardo ‘07G is back where his since 2010. His offense dominated the “We are thrilled to bring him back home as the wide receivers coach at Marietta
coaching career began—now as Musk- USA South Athletic Conference, leading as our new head coach and look forward College. During those two seasons, he
ingum’s Head Football Coach. A proven in passing offense, ranking second in to the positive impact he will have on produced five All-Conference perform-
winner with a game plan for success, he total offense, our team and ers, and Pioneer receivers broke several
brings experience, energy, and a cham- and finish- community. school receiving records.
pionship mindset. ing third in Not only do we His coaching career also includes five
Coach Nardo returns to New Concord points per welcome Matt years of experience at the high school
after a three-year successful run as game. as our new level. He spent three years at Bishop
Bluffton College’s head coach. He led Coac h head football McLaughlin Catholic in Florida, where
the Beavers to their best Heartland Col- Nardo spent coach, but we he was promoted to head coach and led
legiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) fin- four seasons also welcome the Hurricanes to their best record ever
ish in eight years, set a school record for at NCAA Di- his wife and at 7-3. Nardo also coached two seasons
Academic All-HCAC honors, and signifi- vision II Em- children into at Basehor-Linwood High School in Kan-
cantly boosted the team’s GPA. Nardo’s poria State, our Musking- sas, helping the team secure regional
up-tempo spread offense rewrote the helping the um Athletics and district championships.
record books, including most touch- Hornets rack family. I know Nardo’s coaching career began at
down passes in a game (7), the first up 31 wins that he is ex- Muskingum, where he served as a de-
season with three 600-yard receivers, and back-to- cited to raise fensive assistant for three seasons
and the highest scoring average (30.2 back NCAA his family in and produced five All-Conference per-
PPG) since 2017. His offensive line set playoff runs the area, em- formers. While at Muskingum, Nardo’s
a school mark for fewest sacks allowed with three bracing the players received several individual ac-
(6), ranking sixth nationally, while his postseason commu n ity colades, including National Defensive
defense led the HCAC in red zone scor- victories. As spirit and val- Player of the Week, Ohio Athletic Con-
ing. of f en siv e ues that make ference Linebacker of the Year, and an
“The moment I first stepped onto coordinator, this place spe- invitation to play in the Aztec Bowl in
this campus twenty years ago, I knew I pass game cial. He values Mexico.
had found a home. Muskingum helped coordinator, relationships Nardo graduated from Ohio University
shape me—not just as a professional, and recruit- deeply and is in 2005 with a BS in Sports Science and
but as a person,” said Coach Nardo. “To- ing coordina- looking for- earned an MAE in Adult Education from
day, I am beyond proud to return to the tor, he led ward to men- Muskingum University in 2007.
place that played such an important role the top pass- toring the
in my career. I am honored to help build ing offense in the Mid-America Intercol- men in our football locker room, foster-
upon the Muskingum Football tradition legiate Athletics Association while rank- ing a supportive and growth-oriented en-
and guide our student-athletes toward ing second in total first downs, third in vironment.”
continued growth and success, both on total offense, and fourth in scoring. In 2013, Nardo coached the defensive
and off the field.” “With over 20 years of coaching experi- backs at the University of Pikeville, help- ADVERTISE IN THE DRESDEN BUZZ.
Before Bluffton, Nardo spent three ence, Coach (Matt) Nardo brings a wealth ing the Bears to a 7-4 record, their sec- 740-270-2408
seasons as the offensive coordinator at of knowledge, dedication, and passion ond winning season in program history
North Carolina Wesleyan, where he led to our football program,” said Musk- and first in eight years.
the Battling Bishops to their most wins ingum Director of Athletics Kari Winters. Nardo previously spent two seasons

Rollin Dawgs sweep the MVL in

both boys and girls leagues

Tri-Valley lady bowlers holding their MVL League trophy. Coach Zack Forker was named the MVL Girls
Coach of the Year. submitted

Tri-Valley boys varsity bowling team with their MVL League trophy. Coach Ben Kight also received MVL
Coach of the Year. submitted