In his first official move as Valparaiso University head football coach, Andy Waddle has announced that two key contributors to his program's success at Marietta College will be joining him at Valpo, as Reed Florence has been named the program's offensive coordinator, while Zach Feltrop has been tabbed the squad's defensive coordinator.
 
"Reed and Zach are two really awesome people and great coaches," Waddle said. "Watching how much they care about their players and how much their players care about them is something special."
 
Florence spent the last three seasons on Waddle's staff at Marietta, where he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He was named the 2024 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Assistant Coach of the Year after helping the Pioneers average nearly 460 yards of total offense per game, second only to Mount Union, and a league-best 3,020 passing yards.
 
Under Florence's leadership, the Pioneers offense broke the following program records in 2024 – points (433), points per game (43.3), offensive touchdowns (58), passing touchdowns (29), first downs (236), passing first downs (123), offensive yards (4,612) and yards per game (461.2).
 
"Reed did an amazing job with our quarterbacks and running our offense at Marietta," Waddle said. "We saw a dramatic improvement in his three years in charge of our quarterback room and the offense as a whole. We run lots of different formations and motions, but high execution is what we're about."
 
During Florence's three years at Marietta, the Pioneers enjoyed a 22-8 overall record and 19-8 conference mark. He mentored Connor Vierstra, the Marietta all-time leading quarterback in every career statistical category, as well as Dawson Snyder, who finished his career as the program's all-time leading wide receiver in every statistical category. He also developed Bryce Agnew, a 2022 All-American and the program's second all-time leading rusher, while instructing 20 all-league and three all-region selections.
 
During the 2024 season, Marietta ranked among conference and national leaders in the following offensive categories – first-down offense (second OAC, 21^st nationally), passing offense (second OAC, 32^nd nationally), red-zone offense (second OAC, eighth nationally), scoring offense (second OAC, 21^st nationally), total offense (second OAC, 19^th nationally) and more.
 
"I am excited to stay with Coach Waddle because of the pride he takes in developing young men as well-rounded human being as well as his values and vision for the football program," Florence said. "I am excited to be here at Valpo because of the opportunity to continue to develop and lead our student-athletes. I look forward to building relationships with the guys on the team and the great community of Valparaiso."
 
Prior to his arrival at Marietta in February 2022, Florence served as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and running backs coach at Wittenberg University from March 2017 to February 2022 after initially joining the Wittenberg staff coaching safeties (January 2016 to June 2016) and wide receivers (June 2016 to March 2017). During his time leading the offense, the Tigers posted a 33-8 record including a 31-5 conference mark and three conference championships. The offense averaged 402.67 yards, 33.97 points, 243.1 passing yards and 159.57 rushing yards per game while converting at a 43.5 percent clip on third down and a 75 percent clip in the red zone. He instructed 20 all-league honorees.
 
Before leading the offense at Wittenberg, Florence served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Millikin University (January 2015 to January 2016), the quarterbacks coach at Marian University (June 2014 to January 2015) and the assistant defensive backs coach at Wittenberg (January 2014 to June 2014). He graduated from Wittenberg with a bachelor's degree in sports management in May 2014 after two seasons as the team's starting quarterback. During his playing days, Florence was named USA Today Division-III Quarterback of the Year and 2013 conference MVP while compiling a 38-7 league record as a three-time conference champion.
 
Feltrop spent the last six seasons at Marietta, serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Under his leadership, the Pioneers ranked first in the country in third-down conversion defense at .250 in 2024. Other notable rankings for this past season include first-down defense (153, first in OAC, 23^rd nationally), interceptions (15, second in OAC, 26^th nationally), passing yards allowed (158.8, first in OAC, 24^th nationally), red-zone defense (.613, first OAC, 12^th nationally), rushing defense (77.3, first OAC, 18^th nationally), sacks per game (3.18, second in OAC, 16^th nationally), tackles for loss (7.5 per game, second in OAC, 28^th nationally), total defense (236.1, first in OAC, 10^th nationally), turnovers forced (0.22 per game, first in OAC, 30^th nationally) and more.
 
"Zach Feltrop is an awesome person and an awesome coach," Waddle said. "He did a great job with our defense and front seven at Marietta. We had multiple All-Americans among our defensive line and linebacker positions. He does a great job of figuring out the opposing team's bread and butter, finding ways to generate a pass rush and taking away what the opponent wants to do."
 
Feltrop instructed four conference Defensive Lineman of the Year honorees in a five-year period – Drake Neuberger in 2020, Kyle Gallagher shared with Neuberger in 2021 and Chance Knight in 2023 and 2024. In addition, Feltrop coached Harley Hopkins, who was named the conference's Linebacker of the Year in 2024. The Pioneers finished .500 or better in five of Feltrop's six seasons on staff. The program posted a 34-22 record during his tenure including a 16-5 mark over the last two campaigns.   
 
"Coach Waddle has been an unbelievable mentor to me the last six years," Feltrop said. "Not only is he an amazing football coach and leader, but he is a tremendous family man. I am so excited to continue working with him, teach these young men the game and help them succeed in life."
 
Prior to his successful six-year stay at Marietta, Feltrop served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Division-III Geneva College of the Presidents' Athletic Conference, for eight seasons. He joined the Golden Tornado staff as linebackers coach in 2011, and took on the added responsibility of junior varsity coach in 2013 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2015. He coached 25 all-conference picks and had five players earn either National Christian College Athletic Association or Eastern College Athletic Conference All-American honors.
 
A four-year varsity letter winner at Geneva, Feltrop was a three-year starter at linebacker and served as team captain during his senior campaign. He earned all-conference honors three times and was twice named an NCCAA All-American. Feltrop led the Golden Tornadoes in tackles in three of his four seasons. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business with a concentration in marketing from Geneva in 2008.
 
What They're Saying About Coach Florence
Connor Vierstra, Former Marietta College Quarterback: "Coach Florence is a coach who brings incredible energy and a great mindset to football. His ability to connect with players and develop game plans is second to none. He's not only a brilliant coach, but he's also someone who invests in building relationships and fostering growth, both on and off the field. I'm confident he'll have a huge impact at Valpo, just like he did at Marietta."
 
Tyson Beacham, University of the Cumberlands Wide Receivers & Tight Ends Coach: "Reed is one of the best offensive minds who I've had a chance to work with. He is always working to put together the best scheme possible to put his players in a spot where they can succeed on the field. The relationships he has with his players speak for themselves in how hard they play for him. He's a proven winner from his career as a quarterback and as a play caller. He will bring tremendous value to the Valpo football program."
 
Joe Fincham, Former Wittenberg University Head Coach, 1996-2021: "Reed is one of the best players we had in my 30 plus years at Wittenberg. He was a tireless worker, fearless on game day and respected by all. The same skill set benefits him as a coach. Young men love playing for Reed Florence."
 
BJ Coad, Ohio Dominican Offensive Coordinator: "I couldn't be happier for Coach Florence in his well-earned new opportunity at Valparaiso. He is a great offensive mind with a proven ability to recruit and develop his players to their highest potential. I have no doubt he will continue to maximize each player to their fullest potential while leading Valparaiso's offense to new heights!"
 
What They're Saying About Coach Feltrop
 
Alan Estep, Case Western Reserve University Offensive Line Coach: "From both the opposing and same sideline as Zach, you notice just how much he identifies the strengths and weaknesses of his players and builds his defense to allow players to play at their highest level. His defenses play with the same competitive drive, grit and determination that he has and they always fly to the football. When they get to it, they get there angry."
 
Geno DeMarco, Geneva College Head Coach: "Zach is relentless in preparation, earning the trust of his players by being truthful in expectation and evaluation. He gets the most out of his players, and they know he cares for them beyond the field. He is one of the toughest players I have coached in 32 years!"