Malone University Men's Football

Thomas2475 Malone Athletic Director Charlie Grimes announced in early January that longtime Walsh University defensive coordinator and veteran Stark County coach Fred Thomas has been appointed head coach of the Pioneers. Thomas takes over for Eric Hehman who resigned to accept the head coach position at Olivet Nazarene University.  In addition to his 16 seasons at Walsh, Thomas' extensive coaching resume also includes time as the defensive coordinator at Youngstown State University and as the head coach at Girard, Alliance, and GlenOak High Schools. Thomas was a member of the Malone coaching staff during the 2015 season, serving as a defensive assistant. "We are excited to begin a new chapter of Malone University football with Fred's appointment," said Grimes. "He is one of the most experienced collegiate coaches in Northeast Ohio and he knows this market well from his extensive time coaching in Stark County. He is well respected throughout the region." "Coach Thomas is one of the most loyal coaches that I have been around, and I have been around quite a few," said veteran collegiate football coach Jim Dennison, Thomas' boss at Walsh. "Fred will do a great job for Malone, the football program, and more importantly, their student athletes. He is a great person, leader, and a winner." Thomas coached at his alma mater, Youngstown State, from 1978-86, serving as the defensive line coach from 1978-83 and as the defensive coordinator from 1984-86.  Thomas helped guide the Penguins to an NCAA Division II National Runner-Up finish in 1979. Thomas left Youngstown State in 1986 to become the head coach at Girard High School and was named Mahoning Valley Coach of the Year in 1987.  He remained at Girard until 1989, when he accepted the head coaching position at Alliance High School. While with the Aviators, Thomas was named the 1991 Stark County Division I Coach of the Year. Thomas left Alliance in 1991 to become the head coach at GlenOak High School and once again was honored by his peers, earning Federal League Coach of the Year accolades in 1994. In addition, Thomas was also elected to the Stark County Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 and garnered the Professional Service Award at the Career Center at GlenOak in 1999. Thomas received his bachelor of science degree in Education from Youngstown State in 1979 and his masters degree from Ashland University in 1994. Fred and his wife, Mia, a member of the Walsh University Athletic Wall of Fame, reside in North Canton with their son Ben and daughter Mollie.  

Bond_007 Recruiting Areas:  Out of state except Fort Wayne, Atlanta, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New England. Drew Bond completed his first season as a graduate assistant on the Pioneer coaching staff in 2015. He works primarily with the wide receivers.   Bond earned his bachelors degree in Business Administration from Malone in December of 2014 and was a four-year member on the football team where he played tight end.   As a player at Malone, Bond caught 63 passes for a total of 773 yards and had two receiving touchdowns during his career. In addition, he averaged 12.3 yards per catch during his four years.   In 2013, Bond was awarded the Unsung Hero Award and was named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention Team.  He was also a three-year member of the GLIAC All-Academic Team from his sophomore to senior year.   Bond is currently pursuing his masters degree in Organizational Leadership from Malone.           

Baumgartner completed his first year with the Pioneer staff in 2015 and will be coaching the defensive linemen as well as serving as Malone's recruiting and academic coordinator in 2016..   Baumgartner graduated from the University of Northwestern Saint Paul in 2012 with bachelors degrees in both Marketing and Accounting. During his playing career as a tight end at UNW, he was part of an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Championship and an NCCAA Victory Bowl Championship. After graduating, he worked as a volunteer assistant tight ends/offensive line coach at his alma mater for two seasons before being hired onto their staff as the Inside Linebackers Coach and Video Coordinator in 2014.     

Norrick's second season as an Assistant Athletic Director. Norrick has previously served as equipment manager and assistant Director of Football Operations. He assists Athletic Director Charlie Grimes with game administration and event management as well serving as the athletic department's Director of Operations. Norrick has completed Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Administration and Sports Management at Malone and is currently pursuing a master's degree at the University.  

Scibona completed his fourth season as an assistant on the Pioneer coaching staff in 2015.  After previously coaching the offensive line, defensive line and tight ends, Scibona will work primarily with the running backs as well as serving as the Pioneers' kicking game coordinator. Scibona earned a masters degree in Organizational Leadership (MBA) from Malone in the spring of 2014 and graduated from Muskingum University (New Concord, Ohio) in 2011 with a bachelors of science degree in Physics (Education).  While at Muskingum, Scibona served as a student assistant coach for two seasons for the Muskies following the completion of his playing career as an offensive lineman. In the fall of 2008, following his senior season, Scibona was honored with the Greg Riggor Dedication to Sport Award.  

Miller joined the Pioneer coaching staff in January of 2016 and will serve as the team's offensive coordinator. Miller returns to Malone after previously serving as the Pioneers offensive coordinator from 2006-2009 under former head coach Mike Gardner.  Malones offense thrived under Millers guidance as the unit established numerous team records and finished near the top of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) statistical rankings in each of his years on the coaching staff.  Miller was named the MSFA Mideast League Assistant Coach of the Year in 2008 after Malone led the conference in total offense with an average of 455.4 yards per game. Miller brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the position and spent the last two years as Northwood Universitys offensive coordinator.  His resume includes a pair of stints as the offensive coordinator at Bethany College (1999-2003, 2012-2013). In addition, Miller also served as the offensive coordinator at Hiram College (2010-11) and Tabor College (2004-05). Miller is a 1993 graduate of Bethany College where he was an all-conference running back and helped his team to two conference championships.  He went on to receive a masters degree in Education from Wichita State University. Having coached against Dustin and played against him in the past, I knew what a sound coach he was, commented head coach Fred Thomas.  With all his experience and being here when the program had so much success, it was a no-brainer to bring him back as our offensive coordinator. Dustin and his wife, Amy, have three children, Kyle, Payton and Katelynn.