Brian Wright | Northern Arizona University

Brian Wright was named Northern Arizona's 31st head football coach on December 3, 2023. The 2024 season will be his first at the helm.

"Brian Wright was a targeted candidate who quickly became our top choice as NAU's head football coach. His track record of success as both a head coach and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach is impressive, and we are eager for his experience to translate to success at NAU," said NAU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Marlow. "Family, student-athletes, program supporters, former athletes and staff are cherished relationships for Coach Wright. Those qualities are important to us as well in offering Brian Wright the opportunity to be the next head football coach at NAU." 

 

Wright joins NAU from Pittsburg State University where he has served as the head coach since December 2019. A proven winner, Wright guided Pitt State to consecutive Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championships, going 23-3 over the past two seasons. The 2022 MIAA Conference Coach of the Year, Wright owned an overall record of 33-8 (.805) during his time at Pitt State with two NCAA Division II playoff appearances.

"My family and I are extremely excited to join the Northern Arizona football family and Lumberjack community. We can't wait to begin connecting with the team and starting the process towards building a proud championship football program at NAU," said Wright. "I want to thank NAU Athletic Director, Mike Marlow, and President José Luis Cruz Rivera for their belief in us and for the opportunity to lead this program to new heights. This would not have happened without the help of so many others, especially all those that make up an extremely proud Pitt State Gorilla football program. Thank you to all the players, coaches, supporters, and administrators that worked so hard to make Gorilla football so successful during our time there together. We can't wait to get to Flagstaff and get to work!"

Wright brings a wealth of experience with him to Flagstaff from the University of Toledo, Montana State and Youngstown State. Wright was part of the 1997 Youngstown State FCS National Championship squad as a graduate assistant and assistant wide receivers coach. He also had an interim head coaching stop at Florida Atlantic where he guided the Owls to a 4-0 record, outscoring opponents 151-to-40 during his interim tenure while reaching bowl eligibility.

"Out of a highly credentialed deep pool of head coach candidates, I was very impressed with Brian Wright. Coach Wright has demonstrated he deeply cares about the academic and athletic success of his student-athletes, as well as their interaction with the student body and the community," added Northern Arizona University President Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera. "I have no doubt the on-field success he has had throughout his career will continue at NAU. I welcome the entire Wright family to Northern Arizona University."

Prior to Pitt State, Wright spent three seasons at Toledo as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His high-powered offense led the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in total offense and scoring offense in 2017, ranking 19th and 14th in the country, respectively. In 2017 he was a Broyles Award nominee, given to the nation's top assistant coach, while helping lead the Rockets to a MAC title after finishing the year 10-3. During his time at Toledo, the Rockets were one of seven FBS programs to finish in the top-25 in scoring offense for three-straight seasons.

 

While at Florida Atlantic, he served in several different roles from January 2012 to December 2015 as an associate head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach. As interim head coach, he helped the Owls improve from a 2-6 overall record to 6-6 in one season and coached six players to NFL contracts and coached the 2013 C-USA Newcomer of the Year in quarterback Jaquez Johnson.

 

Wright is no stranger to the Big Sky Conference having spent two seasons at Montana State as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He found success during his time as a Bobcat, winning two Big Sky titles in 2010 and 2011 and qualifying for the FCS playoffs both years. Wright ran a potent offense that led the Big Sky and ranked 10th nationally in 2011 in total offense and scoring offense with the help of seven All-Big Sky Conference honorees that season.

 

When Wright arrived at MSU in 2010, he helped improve the team record from 7-4 to 9-3 and improved the regular season total offense from a fifth-place ranking in the conference to first while also ranking fourth nationally in total offense. The 2010 Bobcat squad ranked in the top-ten in eight national offensive statistical categories. Wright coached Denarius McGhee to Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors as McGhee was also a Walter Payton Award candidate.

 

Wright spent the bulk of his early career at Youngstown State serving in several roles, including the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for four seasons. Career highlights at YSU include a 2006 Gateway Conference Championship that was followed by an FCS playoff semifinal appearance. He coached seven All-Gateway Conference players, two All-Americans, one Walter Payton Award finalist and one Gateway Conference Player of the Year during his time with the Penguins.

 

He began his coaching career at Walsh University where he received his Master of Arts degree in education. He was a two-time football captain at the College of Wooster where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics in 1994. Wright is a native of Wooster, Ohio, and he and his wife Laura have three children Jake, Marielle, and Joseph.

NAU is appreciative of the support from the Arizona Board of Regents' Chair, Fred DuVal, and their staff for their thoughtful counsel throughout this process.

Head Coach Brian Wright's Coaching Resume

 

2020-23      Pittsburg State - Head Coach

2016-19      Toledo – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

2014-15      Florida Atlantic - Associate Head Coach/OffensiveCoordinator/Quarterbacks

2013           Florida Atlantic - Interim Head Coach (final four games)

2012-13      Florida Atlantic - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

2010-11      Montana State - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

2005-09      Youngstown State - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

2004-07      Youngstown State - Recruiting Coordinator

2003         Youngstown State - Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers

2001-02     Youngstown State - Quarterbacks

2000         Walsh - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

1999         Walsh - Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Co-Special Teams Coordinator

1998         Walsh - Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers

1997         Youngstown State - Graduate Assistant

1995-96     Walsh - Graduate Assistant