Brian Ware is entering his seventh season at Grambling State University and third as the defensive backs coach. Ware has been part of a staff that has seen consistent improvement in the defense in the last four years.
In 2018, Grambling State’s defense ranked among one of the best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The Tigers were tops in defensive touchdowns, fumbles recovered, passes intercepted, turnovers gained, turnover margin and blocked kicks.
In addition to the many team accolades, Ware had two players earn All-SWAC postseason honors. Joseph McWilliams was named to the first team, while Percy Cargo, Jr. was selected to the second team.
Focusing on the safeties position, Ware was instrumental in the play of Montrell Meander, who signed a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns following the 2017 season. Ware’s safeties put together a solid season in 2017, combining for 11 pass breakups and five interceptions.
In 2016, the Grambling State Tigers won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) West Division and SWAC Championship on their way to winning the 2016 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl claiming the title of HBCU National Champions with an 11-1 record. During the 2016 season, the Tiger defense was statistically one of the best FCS defenses for the entire season. The Tigers led the FCS in four defensive categories nationally, while finishing in the top five in nine total categories nationally. In the SWAC, the Tigers finished first in 12 of 15 defensive categories and second in the remaining three categories.
In 2016, the Tigers’ pass defense saw considerable improvement. The Tigers’ pass defense ranked third nationally in pass efficiency defense (100.3) as well as second in the SWAC in pass defense (211.2 ypg) and interceptions (13), while only allowing 12 passing touchdowns in 2016. Safeties Guy Stallworth and Jameel Jackson garnered All-SWAC First Team honors during the 2016 campaign. Ware also mentored defensive back Abubakkar Conteh who was selected in the third round (23rd overall) of the Canadian Football League to the Winnepeg Blue Bombers.
Ware took over as the full-time defensive backs coach for the 2015 season in which the Tigers finished 9-3 and claimed a perfect regular-season conference record of 9-0 and a SWAC West Division title. The Tigers were among top in the conference statistically in tackles for loss and red zone defense. The Tigers’ pass defense was able to snag 12 interceptions, improving on its season total from the year prior. In 2015, safety Guy Stallworth totaled 102 tackles and three interceptions en route to earning All-SWAC First Team honors and being named a first-team black college All-American.
Ware joined the Grambling State staff in 2014 as a graduate assistant working with the defensive backs. The 2014 season saw a six-game win improvement for the Tigers who finished 7-5 overall and 7-2 in conference play. Ware assisted with the defensive backs and special teams. In 2014, standout defensive back Tyree Hollins led the SWAC with five interceptions.
Before joining the Grambling State University staff, Ware was the defensive coordinator at Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. During those two seasons, he was responsible for all aspects of the defensive game plans, installations, as well as overseeing the defensive backs. In 2012, safety Cuda Dimmett captured second-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) honors while totaling 43.5 tackles and two interceptions.
In 2011, Ware coached former Grambling State University graduate assistant and now Division II Chowan University defensive backs coach Eric Rhodes who led the team with three interceptions at the cornerback position. That season, safety Khalid Harris and New Orleans native, cornerback Sarge Huntley earned second-team All-Great Lakes Football Conference (GLFC) honors.
Ware joined the Kentucky Wesleyan College staff as the Outside Linebackers coach in 2010. There he helped tutor linebacker Quadarius Wallace who finished the season 58.5 Tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and two interceptions on the season, earning him second-team All-GLFC honors.
Prior to his arrival at Kentucky Wesleyan College, Ware spent two years at his alma mater Division III Texas Lutheran University where he served as the running backs coach in 2007 and the linebackers coach in 2008.
While coaching the running backs, Ware helped second-team All-American Southwest Conference (ASC) performer Anthony Smith rush for 1,000 yards. Smith also ranked fifth in the nation in all-purpose yards, averaging 198.9 all-purpose yards per game and scoring 10 touchdowns.
In 2008 Ware moved to the defensive side of the ball and led Linebacker Jarrad McAddams to second-team All-ASC status as he led the team in tackles with 70 total, six tackles for loss and grabbed two interceptions.
Ware was a three-year letterman at Texas Lutheran where he played safety, linebacker and fullback from 2003 to 2006.
A native of Austin, Texas, Ware earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Texas Lutheran in Seguin, Texas and is currently working on his master’s in sport administration at Grambling State University.
