Josh Reardon is in his fourth season as Defensive Coordinator and Safeties coach at Gardner-Webb. Last season, Reardon's defense had the second-best rushing defense in the Big South, allowing just 133.3 yards per game on the ground. The Runnin' Bulldogs also led the conference in interceptions, with 16 picks, thanks to three each from Jamari Brown, A.J. Thomas, and Josiah Wright. Under Reardon's leadership, Raequan Ousley earned STATS FCS All-American honors for the first time in his career in 2022. The Runnin' Bulldogs defense shut out conference foe Robert Morris 48-0 in 2022, the first conference shut out for Gardner-Webb since 2004 when GWU defeated Charleston Southern 18-0.
Reardon’s scheme and approach has paid off for Gardner-Webb, with the team leading the Big South in 2021 in third down defense and ranking second in pass defense, interceptions and total turnovers gained. Reardon’s second season also produced the Big South’s second-best red zone defense. Ty French, William McRainey, Malachi Buckner and TJ Comstock each earned All-Big South honors, with French also named to the Hero Sports Sophomore All-America Team.
The impact was immediate and impressive during the spring 2021 season, as Gardner-Webb jumped into the top-30 nationally in rushing defense (27th), third down defense (20th), first down defense (30th) and the top-50 in total defense (43rd).
The biggest move came in producing disruption in opposing backfields, as Gardner-Webb ranked No. 6 nationally in sacks and No. 8 in the country in tackles for loss. The improvement came despite a handful of true freshman moving into starting roles. Defensive end Ty French was named Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year, earned Freshman All-America honors and was one of the most disruptive players in the country. Freshman Will McRainey started all four games at linebacker and safety A.J. Thomas earned second-team All-Big South honors.
Reardon came to Gardner-Webb after two seasons at Eastern Kentucky in the Ohio Valley Conference, the he was the Colonels Assistant Head Coach and defensive backs coach in 2018 and 2019. During his two-year stint, Eastern Kentucky won 14 games combined and ranked among the league’s best defensive units.
The 2019 EKU defense ranked No. 2 in the league in total defense, and points per game allowed. The Colonels allowed just 119.1 yards per game on the ground, which also ranked second in the OVC. Eastern Kentucky played even better on defense when the stakes were high, ranking third in the OVC in third-down defense and first downs allowed.
In conference games only, the Colonels allowed just 90.5 yards per game on the ground – which led the circuit.
Reardon’s 2018 success was notable, with the Colonels ranking No. 5 nationally with 19 interceptions – a 14-pick improvement from the previous year. His defensive backs accounted for 17 of those 19 interceptions. As a unit, Eastern Kentucky’s defense ranked No. 2 in the OVC in points allowed per game and second in total defense.
His work with the Colonels’ special teams helped kicker Samuel Hayworth earn first-team All-OVC honors in both 2018 and 2019. Hayworth finished ninth nationally in 2018 in field goals per game and ranked No. 12 nationally in field goal percentage. Quentin Pringle ranked No. 8 in the FCS with an average of more than 27 yards per kick return.
Prior to joining the staff in Richmond, Ky., Reardon coached defensive backs for one season under Coach Bobby Lamb at Mercer in 2017. In addition to working with the Bears’ safeties, he also worked with the cornerbacks and was in charge of the punt return team.
Reardon also has FBS coaching experience, serving as an assistant coach at UConn from 2014-2016 – where he was the cornerbacks coach and co-special teams coordinator. NFL first-round pick Byron Jones learned under Reardon’s watch during his playing career at UConn.
Reardon also served as a defensive graduate assistant at Notre Dame (2012-2013), coaching for the Fighting Irish in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. His prior FCS experience came at Holy Cross (2011) and Sacred Heart (2008-2010). Reardon also spent time as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Central Michigan (2006-07).
Reardon was a four-year letter winner with the Chippewas, the he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in physical eduction in 2006. He and his wife, Emily, reside in Shelby, N.C.
