Troy Names Joe Bernardi Offensive Line Coach

TROY, Ala. – Joe Bernardi has been named Troy's new offensive line coach, head coach Jon Sumrall announced Tuesday. A second-generation college football coach, Bernardi joins the Troy staff following one season at Auburn.

Bernardi was an offensive analyst for the Tigers for most of the 2022 season before taking over as the program's tight ends coach for the season's final four games.

"Joe comes from a great coaching family and was a tremendous player at Fresno State," Sumrall said. "He has a strong track record of coaching young men who have gone on to play in the NFL and has sharpened his craft with some of the best coaches in the profession. Joe is passionate about the game of football and his strong ability to get the best out of his players. We're excited to welcome him to Troy."

His father, Gary Bernardi, is a veteran among the coaching ranks with over 40 seasons as an assistant football coach and currently serves as an offensive analyst at San Diego State.

Prior to this time in Auburn, Bernardi served as the athletics director as well as the offensive line coach for Immanuel Schools in Reedley, California.

"Lindsey and I are very appreciative to Coach Sumrall and Coach Craddock for the opportunity to be the offensive line coach at Troy," Bernardi said. "We can't wait to get rolling and be a part of this community. I hope to contribute to building on the success from last season."

Bernardi spent three seasons at San José State (2017-19) as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. In his first season with the Spartans, tackle Nate Velichko was a National Football Foundation (NFF) Campbell Trophy semifinalist and was inducted into the NFF's Hampshire Honor Society.

Returning to his alma mater in 2016, Bernardi served as a tight ends coach at Fresno State.

At Oregon (2013-15), Bernardi served as a graduate assistant, assisting with both the offensive line and tight ends. He coached four first-team All-Pac-12 offensive linemen while the Ducks would go on to win 33 games during his tenure, including competing in the first College Football National Championship game against Ohio State in 2015.

Between hits tenures at Oregon and San José State, five of Bernardi's offensive linemen signed contacts with the National Football league: Jack Snyder (San José State), Jeremiah Kolone (San José State), Chris Gonzalez (San José State), Hroniss Grasu (Oregon) and Jake Fisher (Oregon).

Bernardi began his coaching career at the University of Tennessee (2011-12) as an offensive line quality control coach, assisting in all phases of coaching and recruiting the offensive line and tight ends. In his second season with the Volunteers, Tennessee led the SEC and was fifth nationally for fewest quarterback sacks allowed per game (0.67).

A member of the Fresno State football team from 2006 until 2010, Bernardi started 32 games on the Bulldogs' offensive line and competed in four bowl games. Bernardi was named to the Rimington Award Watch List for the best center in college football twice during his playing career. In his 2010 senior year, he received the Paul Schechter Award for Courage given annually to a Fresno State student-athlete who overcame a physical challenge to become a champion.

Bernardi graduated from Fresno State in 2010 with a degree in communications. He and his wife, Lindsey, were married in June 2017 and have a daughter, Quinn, and a son, John.

Troy University Athletics

Troy Names Joe Bernardi Offensive Line Coach

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