Gardner-Webb announces contract extension for head football coach

(FROM GWUSPORTS.COM) – Gardner-Webb football coach Tre Lamb, the reigning Big South Conference Coach of the Year, has signed a contract extension, the Department of Athletics announced Tuesday. Lamb led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to their first conference championship in 19 years and the program’s first-ever berth in FCS Playoffs in 2022.
 
“At GWU we celebrate having a head coach who is a defending conference champion,” University President Dr. William M. Downs said. “We celebrate having a head coach who is driven to scale new heights. Tre Lamb has brought excitement, confidence and success to our football program. We turned a corner last season and now it’s time to elevate. Coach Lamb has our continuing confidence and our full support.”
 
Last season’s historic success concluded with a perfect 5-0 mark in conference play and a first-round playoff victory at Eastern Kentucky University, 52-41. The season ended with a 7-6 overall record, the program’s best record since 2013, despite playing one of the toughest schedules in FCS football that featured three games versus FBS teams and three games versus ranked FCS opponents.

“Tre’s impact on the field is known by many: the Big South Championship, the Coach of the Year award, our first win in FCS playoffs history,” Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich, Vice President and Director of Athletics, said. “But his impact in the classroom and in the community is what makes him very special. When you meet his players, it gives me confidence that these young men are developing the character and confidence to be champions here and now and into the future, as I believe the best is yet to come.”
 
In 2022, Lamb coached 13 Runnin’ Bulldogs who received all-conference recognition, including quarterback Bailey Fisher, who was named Big South Offensive Player of the Year, defensive end Ty French, who was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, and linebacker Ty Anderson, who was named Defensive Freshman of the Year. Additionally, French received Second-Team All-America recognition from the Associated Press and Phil Steele Magazine, while wide receiver TJ Luther received a third-team nod from Phil Steele and defensive back Raequon Ousley earned Third-Team All-America honors from Stats Perform.
 
“I am thankful for our administration and the Cleveland County community for embracing me and my family from the beginning here at GWU as we have made a home and grown our family,” Lamb said. “It has been a pleasure to come to work every day. Most importantly, I want to acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice of our players and staff. It has shown great results and we look forward to the future.
 
“The best is yet to come. We will continue to build a championship caliber football program on and off the field. The vision and support is here from the top with Dr. Downs and Dr. Goodrich, all the way to the donors and our board of trustees. To have them acknowledge the progress we have made and to commit to going further is an honor I do not take lightly. We will earn it every day.”
 
Gardner-Webb returns 21 starters and 57 letter winners from last year’s championship team, including nine all-conference players. The ‘Dawgs open the 2023 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Appalachian State University. The team’s home opener is Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. Elon, with opening kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
The five-game home slate also features a playoff rematch with Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 21) and conference matchups with Robert Morris University (Oct. 7), UT Martin (Oct. 28), and Charleston Southern University (Nov. 18), as Gardner-Webb embarks on its first season of competition in the newly formed Big South-OVC Football Association. Season tickets for the 2023 season, including access to Spangler Stadium’s new premium seats, can be ordered here.

Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs 2023

* denotes Big South-OVC game