Feb. 27, 2008

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State head football coach Chuck Martin announced the hiring of Jack Ginn as Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers coach in the Laker football program. Ginn comes to Grand Valley State after spending the last four years as the head coach at North Carolina Wesleyan. Ginn will begin his duties at Grand Valley State immediately.

"I am excited to join the Grand Valley State football program," said Ginn. "Grand Valley State is the benchmark for Division II football and this is an opportunity to work with an outstanding coaching staff at a wonderful university," added Ginn.

Jack Ginn started the North Carolina Wesleyan football program in 2004 and quickly established the Blue & Gold as a USA South contender. In four years, he compiled a 23-17 overall record and an 18-9 USA South mark, having produced the first-ever undefeated conference champion with a 7-0 league record this past season. Additionally, Ginn produced 42 All-Conference players, two Defensive Rookies of the Year, two Offensive Rookies of the Year, and two Offensive Players of the Year.

"We are extremely excited to have a coach with the experience of Jack Ginn join our staff," said fourth-year head coach Chuck Martin. "Jack has an incredible coaching resume and has been a proven winner at every stop in his coaching career," added Martin.

The program also earned its first NCAA Tournament berth and playoff win in 2007, becoming the first #8 seed in history to knock off a #1 seed when the Bishops upset Washington and Jefferson by a 35-34 score back in November. In just four seasons of play, Ginn took North Carolina Wesleyan from unknown status to a spot in the Division National III top 25.

Ginn joined NCWC with 15 years of college coaching experience, including stints at NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions. In those 15 seasons, Ginn was a part of 130 victories and just 28 defeats, having spent almost equal time coaching offense and defense.

Prior to coming to North Carolina Wesleyan, Ginn served two years as an assistant coach at Shepherd College, an NCAA Division II school in Shepherdstown, WV. During his tenure, Shepherd compiled a two-year record of 15-5, and set 16 offensive school records. From 1997-2000, Ginn was the Offensive Coordinator at Wartburg College, a NCAA Division III school in Waverly, IA . His offense averaged 35 points per game over the four-year period, setting 19 school records and helping Wartburg achieve a 35-6 record.

His coaching career began in 1987 as a part-time assistant at his alma mater, Emory & Henry College. That year ended with E&H losing in the NCAA Division III national semifinals. Ginn spent the next two years as a graduate assistant at the University of Illinois. There, he participated in two bowl games, the 1988 All-American Bowl (vs. Florida) and the 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl (vs. Virginia). Ginn returned to his alma mater in the fall of 1990, coaching the secondary for six years. E&H won four conference championships and compiled a record of 49-14 during his stay.

Ginn and his wife, Sherri, have three children: daughter Katherine (12), son Adam (7), and son Carter (6).