Bedford Named Michigan Volunteer Assistant Coach
9/27/2019 2:44:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's lacrosse coach Hannah Nielsen announced Friday (Sept. 27) the hiring of Michael Bedford as the volunteer assistant coach for the 2020 season.
"I am extremely excited to have Mike join our staff," said Nielsen. "His experience and his passion for coaching will be a tremendous asset for our program and our players."
Bedford joins the program after serving one season as the assistant coach at Rutgers, where he was the defensive and recruiting coordinator for the Scarlet Knights. He also served as the head coach of the Philadelphia Force in the United Women's Lacrosse League for two seasons, and coached the 2018 Force to an undefeated season capped by the UWLX Championship.
His main responsibilities with the Wolverines will center around the goalie contingent as well as player development and assistance on both the offense and defense.
"I am so excited to join Coach Nielsen's staff at the University of Michigan," said Bedford. "Seeing what they have been able to accomplish with the Michigan women's lacrosse program in her short tenure has been so remarkable. I am grateful to have this opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a member of her staff. Go Blue!"
At Rutgers, Bedford was responsible for implementing all facets of the defensive strategy as well as goalkeeper training, practice planning and team development. He also helped mentor a strong freshmen class, including Sarah Cedarstrand, who was selected to the U-19 Puerto Rico women's lacrosse national team, and had three freshmen earn Big Ten Rookie of the Week honors in 2019.
Along with his coaching duties, Bedford helped manage operations budgets, served as a camp director and was a liaison between the coaching staff and strength and conditioning department as well as the athletic training department.
Prior to his stint at Rutgers, Bedford spent one season as the defensive coordinator at Boston University where he helped the team to a 2018 Patriot League semifinal. Bedford also was an assistant coach at William & Mary from 2016-17. Working primarily with the Tribe's goalies, he guided the goalkeeping unit to lead the Colonial Athletic Association with a 9.18 saves-per-game average during the 2016 season.
Bedford spent three seasons (2013-15) as the defensive coordinator at Hofstra, where the Pride were the 2015 CAA regular-season champions with a 6-0 conference record and earned multiple CAA honors. He also has coaching experience with the Lenoir-Rhyne men's program and Suffolk Community College, where as a two-year player he helped earn a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) runner-up finish in 2006. Bedford was named team captain in his sophomore season and earned first team all-region and second team NJCAA All-America honors.
He also played two seasons at Long Island University Post, where he helped the team to the NCAA Division II national championship in 2009 and an East Coast Conference championship.
Following his collegiate career, Bedford spent time with Major League Lacrosse's Chesapeake Bayhawks as well as the Charlotte Copperheads in the Professional Lacrosse League in 2012.
Bedford graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical education and a minor in coaching from Long Island University Post in 2009.
