Delta State University

Jesse Ward, who will serve as the running backs coach/video coordinator, is in his second season as a graduate assistant coach on Todd Cooley's staff at Delta State University.  

Ward comes to DSU after one season as an offensive graduate assistant under Coach Cooley at Northwestern Louisiana State University. He assisted with the offensive line at NSU under former head coach Bradley Dale Peveto.  
Prior to joining the staff at NSU, Ward worked the 2011 season as running backs coach at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Miss.  

A 2011 graduate of Mississippi College with a BSBA degree in Accounting, Ward started two seasons on the offensive line for the Choctaws and helped lead MC to the 2009 American Southwest Conference title.  

The Louisville, Miss., native began his collegiate playing career at the University of Central Arkansas before transferring to Ouachita Baptist University, where he lettered and was named to the Gulf South Conference Academic Honor Roll in 2007-2008.

Ward was a four-year starter at Winston Academy on the offensive and defensive lines. He garnered 2005 Mississippi Private School Association All-Star and All-State recognitions, while earning All-Conference honors three consecutive seasons.  

Ward will pursue a master's degree in Sports Administration while coaching at DSU.