Joshua Reardon joined the Colonel football program in March of 2018 as assistant head coach for defense and defensive backs coach.
In his first season, Reardon helped EKU to a 7-4 record and a third place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference. It is the most wins by a Colonel team since 2014.
Reardon’s defensive backs were a key part to the success in 2018. Eastern’s defense finished fifth in the nation with 19 interceptions, 14 more than in 2017. Defensive backs accumulated 17 of the 19 picks. The Colonels had four interceptions in their first three games and then picked off four passes in one game against Southeast Missouri.
As an entire unit, the defense was second in the OVC in points allowed per game and second in total defense.
Reardon’s position group helped the EKU defense excel again in 2019. The Colonels finished second in the OVC in points allowed, second in total defense, second in rushing defense and third in passing defense. Eastern Kentucky was fifth in the nation in third down defense, seventh in fourth down defense, 11th in red-zone defense, 15th in rushing defense, 16th in total defense and 22nd in scoring defense.
As special teams coordinator, Reardon helped kicker Samuel Hayworth earn first team All-OVC recognition after finishing ninth in the nation in field goals per game and 12th in field goal percentage. True freshman Quentin Pringle was eighth in the country with an average of 27.1 yards per kickoff return.
Reardon spent the 2017 season coaching defensive backs at Mercer University. He managed all aspects of the safety and corner positions and was responsible for the punt return team. He was Mercer’s primary recruiter for South Carolina and northeastern Georgia.
From January 2014 to December 2016, Reardon served as the cornerbacks coach and co-special teams coordinator at the University of Connecticut. He coached NFL first round draft pick Byron Jones while with the Huskies.
Reardon was the defensive graduate assistant linebackers coach for Notre Dame in 2012 and 2013, coaching the Fighting Irish in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.
Reardon has also coached at College of the Holy Cross (2011), Sacred Heart University (defensive coordinator/defensive backs, 2008-10) and Central Michigan (defensive graduate assistant, 2006-07).
A four-year letterman at Central Michigan, Reardon earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2006. He and his wife Emily reside in Richmond.
Josh Reardon Year-By-Year
| Year |
School |
Position |
Notes |
| 2005 |
Central Michigan |
Student Assistant |
|
| 2006 |
Central Michigan |
Defensive Graduate Assistant |
|
| 2007 |
Central Michigan |
Defensive Graduate Assistant |
MAC Champs, Motor City Bowl |
| 2008 |
Sacred Heart |
Defensive Line Coach |
|
| 2009 |
Sacred Heart |
Defensive Coordinator/DBs |
|
| 2010 |
Sacred Heaert |
Defensive Coordinator/DBs |
|
| 2011 |
College of the Holy Cross |
Outside Linebackers Coach |
|
| 2012 |
Notre Dame |
Defensive Graduate Assistant |
BCS National Championship Game |
| 2013 |
Notre Dame |
Defensive Graduate Assistant |
New Era Penstripe Bowl victory |
| 2014 |
Connecticut |
Cornerbacks/Co-Special Teams Coord. |
|
| 2015 |
Connecticut |
Cornerbacks/Co-Special Teams Coord. |
St. Petersburg Bowl |
| 2016 |
Connecticut |
Cornerbacks/Co-Special Teams Coord. |
|
| 2017 |
Mercer University |
Defensive Backs |
|
| 2018 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Assistant HC for Defense/DBs |
7-4, 3rd OVC, 5th in NCAA in INTs |
| 2019 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Assistant HC for Defense/DBs |
2nd in OVC in total defense & ppg |
