Alex Bresner Named DII/DIII Assistant Coach of the Year by Gridiron Club of Greater Boston
Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Release
BOSTON, Mass. (November 22, 2018) – Western New England University defensive coordinator Alex Bresner has been selected as the Division II/Division III New England Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, the organization announced on Tuesday.
Bresner, who completed his third season on the Western New England coaching staff this fall, has helped lead the Golden Bears to a trio of conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances during his time in Springfield.
Bresner directed a defensive unit that led Commonwealth Coast Football in both scoring defense (20.3 ppg) and yards per game (315.0) during the 2018 regular season. In conference play this fall, Bresner's defense limited opponents to just 17.2 points and 294.7 yards per game, which both paced CCC Football.
Western New England was also the best in the league at forcing turnovers, with 25 takeaways (13 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries), and the Golden Bear defense was very effective at getting to the quarterback with a conference-high 25 sacks.
Overall this season, Western New England finished eighth nationally among almost 250 DIII programs in turnover margin (1.36), 15th in fumble recoveries (13), 17th in total turnovers gained (27), 50th in passes intercepted (14), 51st in team pass efficiency defense (106.85), 66th in red zone defense (.679), 87th in scoring defense (22.3 points per game) and 91st in total defense (339.3 yards per game). The Golden Bears also led the nation in blocked kicks (12) and blocked punts (8).
Seven of Bresner's defensive players earned All-CCC Football accolades, more than any other team in the conference. Among that group was a trio of first team selections in senior defensive back Matt Anastasi, senior linebacker Kurtis Jolicoeur, and sophomore cornerback Zhaire House.
Bresner, who also serves as Western New England's recruiting coordinator, spent two seasons (2014-15) at Division I FCS program Holy Cross as an outside linebackers coach before joining the Golden Bears. His coaching career also included stops at Allegheny College, King's College, and East Stroudsburg University.
A native of Marblehead, Mass., Bresner graduated from Salisbury (Md.) University in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He was a four-year letterwinner on the Gulls defensive line, serving as team captain his senior season. Bresner went on to earn his master's degree in sport management while coaching at East Stroudsburg.
Bresner is the second Western New England assistant coach to win this award in the past three seasons, as current head coach Jason Lebeau was recognized in 2016. Bresner will be honored along with the rest of the award winners at the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston awards banquet on Wednesday, December 19 at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, Mass.
About the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, "Keepers of the Flame"
Founded in 1932, the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston (www.gridclubofgreaterboston.com) promotes the game of football at all levels and nurtures the ideals of citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership, and athletic and academic achievement. A registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, the Gridiron Club is supported by membership dues, philanthropic contributions, and proceeds from its annual dinners. The Club honors exemplary players, coaches and officials at all levels of the sport and supports worthy charitable causes, especially those that assist children.
