The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Football Promotes Ekkens, Stroud, Gildersleeve
March 24 | Football
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AKRON, Ohio — Brett Ekkens has been promoted to offensive line coach at the University of Akron, head coach Terry Bowden announced on Thursday.
Ekkens served as a graduate assistant the last two seasons with the Zips' football program. His hiring is pending approval by the University's Board of Trustees.
Additionally, Bowden promoted Todd Stroud to assistant head coach and Matt Gildersleeve to director of football strength and conditioning.
"I am excited to promote Brett to a fulltime position at the University of Akron," Bowden said. "He has paid his dues over the last two seasons as a graduate assistant and fits in nicely with the family atmosphere that we believe in here at Akron. With his playing time and coaching over the last four years, he is a proven winner."
"I couldn't be more appreciative for the opportunity Coach Bowden has given me to stay on this phenomenal staff," Ekkens said. "I am excited to continue working with the great young men on our offensive line. Akron has been my home for the past two years, and I am blessed to have the chance to remain at this university."
Ekkens earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and health education from Mount Union in 2012. He was a four-year letterwinner on the offensive line for the Purple Raiders, earning Division III first-team All-America honors and first-team Academic All-America honors in 2011. He was the recipient of the prestigious Rimington Award while helping Mount Union to four Ohio Athletic Conference championships and the 2008 national championship.
Following graduation, Ekkens served as the head football strength and conditioning coach and assistant offensive line coach at his alma mater for two seasons prior to joining the Zips.
A native of Kentwood, Mich., Ekkens earned a master's degree in sport science and coaching administration at Akron in 2015, earning a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while serving as a graduate assistant with the football team.
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"Todd first joined my staff at Samford in 1987," Bowden said. " He is one of the best football coaches I've ever been around."
"We are excited about the direction our program has taken under Coach Bowden's leadership," Stroud said. "I am very happy to serve this staff, our players, and fans in this new role."
Stroud, who enters his fifth season with the Zips, coaches the defensive line while coordinating the Zips' recruiting efforts. Throughout his career, he has tutored numerous NFL Draft selections and developed nationwide recruiting ties. Stroud has 20-plus seasons of experience as a strength coach as well.
Last fall, Stroud's defensive line, known as the Fantastic Four, combined for a 92.9 rushing defense which ranked first in the MAC and No. 3 nationally.
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Gildersleeve, who has served as the head coach of football strength and conditioning for the last two seasons, is the youngest head strength coach in Division I football. He earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Mount Union in 2012. The Dean's List student was a four-year letterwinner at tight end for the Purple Raiders, helping Mount Union to four Ohio Athletic Conference championships and the 2008 national championship.
A native of Kentwood, Mich., Gildersleeve earned a master's degree in sport science and coaching principles from Akron in 2014. He worked as a graduate assistant with the Zips until he was named the assistant director of football strength and conditioning in January 2014. Gildersleeve was promoted to head coach of football strength and conditioning in May 2014.
Akron, which finished the 2015 season at 8-5 overall with a win in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, opens the 2016 season at home with VMI on Sept. 3. The annual Spring Game is slated for Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field.
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all six home games as well as a parking pass— start at only $60 each and are now available for purchase by calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Group tickets start at $10 each (with a minimum of 15 people).
