Dec. 22, 2006

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - John Bowers has been named recruiting coordinator and secondary coach at Western Washington University. Making that announcement was Viking head football coach Robin Ross.

The 49-year-old Bowers, who has coached for 26 years, replaces Greg Malo, who left the staff to pursue business opportunities.

Bowers coached five seasons at NCAA Division I-A Bowling Green State University, working with the defensive backs (2004-05), linebackers (2001-02), defensive ends (2003) and special teams (2003). He also served as recruiting coordinator for the Falcons in 2001 and 2002.

At BGSU, Bowers coached six Mid-American Conference all-stars and two freshman All-Americans. In 2004, the Falcons forced 25 turnovers to lead the MAC. They recorded 32 quarterback sacks in 2003 and led the MAC in turnover margin in 2001, ranking third nationally, and 2002.

Last fall, Bowers was the linebackers coach at Bothell High School as the Cougars finished 12-2, won the Kingco League title and reached the Class 4A state championship game.

Prior to his tenure at BGSU, Bowers coached at two other MAC schools, working at Eastern Michigan University in 1993-94 and 1998, and serving as defensive coordinator at Kent State University in 1997. He coached at NCAA I-AA Eastern Illinois University in 1996, helping direct a defense that ranked 11th nationally overall and seventh against the run.

Bowers began his coaching career at NCAA I-AA James Madison University as a graduate assistant (1979-80). He also was an assistant at NCAA III Washington & Lee University (1981), NCAA II Shepherd College (1982-83), NCAA I-AA Austin Peay University (1984-87) and NCAA I-AA Illinois State University (1988-92).

A native of Hagerstown, Maryland, Bowers earned a bachelor's degree at James Madison in 1979, being named football team captain and the squad's offensive MVP in 1978. He completed his master's degree in education at JMU in 1980.

Bowers' wife, Joanne, is in her first year as the head women's gymnastics coach at University of Washington after being an assistant at University of Michigan for five seasons. They have two sons, David 23 and Ross 10.

JOHN BOWERS - Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator

In first year at Western ... Recruiting coordinator and works with secondary ... Has coached 26 years, including five at NCAA Division I-A Bowling Green State University ... Coached defensive backs (2004-05), linebackers (2001-02), defensive ends (2003), special teams (2003) for Falcons and served as recruiting coordinator for two seasons (2001-02) ... Coached six Mid-American Conference all-stars and two freshman All-Americans at BGSU ... Falcons forced 25 turnovers in 2004 to lead MAC, recorded 32 quarterback sacks in 2003 and led MAC in turnover margin in 2001 (ranked third nationally) and 2002 ... Was linebackers coach at Bothell High School in 2006, the Cougars finishing 12-2, winning Kingco League title and reaching Class 4A state championship game ... Served as defensive coordinator at Stow High School (Akron, OH) for one year prior to stay at Bowling Green ... Also assisted at two other MAC schools, working at Eastern Michigan University (1998 and 1993-94) and being defensive coordinator at Kent State University (1997) ... Coached one year at NCAA I-AA Eastern Illinois University (1996), helping direct a defense that ranked 11th nationally overall and seventh against the run ... Began coaching career at James Madison University as graduate assistant (1979-80) ... Also was assistant at NCAA III Washington & Lee University (1981), NCAA II Shepherd College (1982-83), NCAA I-AA Austin Peay University (1984-87), NCAA I-AA Illinois State University (1988-92) ... Native of Hagerstown, Maryland ... Earned bachelor's degree at James Madison in 1979, receiving letters in football and baseball ... Was football team's offensive MVP and captain in 1978 ... Completed master's degree in education at JMU in 1980 ... He and wife, Joanne, who is in her first year as head women's gymnastics coach at University of Washington after five seasons as assistant at University of Michigan, have two sons, David 23 and Ross 10 ... 49 years old.