Staff Directory
- Title:
- Director of Player Personnel/Assistant Defensive Liine
- Email:
- Alma Mater:
- Slippery Rock, 2019
- Experience:
- Second Season
- Twitter:
- @CoachBaderYSU
Zach Bader joined the Youngstown State football staff following a successful coaching tenure at Slippery Rock University, where he helped develop one of the top defensive units in Division II football and coached multiple All-American and All-PSAC defensive linemen.
At YSU he serves in many capacities - Director of Player Personnel, NFL Liasion and Assistant Defensive Line coach.
Bader began his coaching career in 2020 as a graduate assistant at Youngstown State before returning to Slippery Rock in 2021 as the defensive ends coach. From 2022-24, he served as the Rock’s run game coordinator and defensive line coach. During his time on staff, Slippery Rock compiled a 43-10 record, captured a Region 1 championship and earned multiple NCAA playoff berths.
In 2022, Bader helped lead a dominant Slippery Rock defensive line that produced 56 tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks. The Rock defense ranked among the nation's best, allowing just 14.5 points per game, while ranking 10th nationally in rushing defense and 12th nationally in total defense. The defense also held opponents to just 2.5 yards per rushing attempt and recorded 32 sacks on the season.
Bader played a significant role in the development of numerous decorated defensive linemen. Among those players are two-time First Team All-PSAC defensive tackle Marcus “Munchie” Johnson, who was also named a 2024 Don Hansen All-American; 2024 AP First Team All-American and PSAC Defensive Player of the Year Todd Hill, who was also a Gene Upshaw Award Finalist; 2022 AP First Team All-American and Super Region 1 Defensive Player of the Year D.J. Adediwura, who was a Cliff Harris Award Finalist, Gene Upshaw Award Finalist and nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented annually to the NCAA Division II Player of the Year; and Don Hansen All-American and First Team All-PSAC defensive tackle Jeff Marx.
As a player at Slippery Rock, Bader appeared in 37 games as a defensive tackle from 201619. During his playing career, The Rock posted a 39-11 record. Bader and the Rock made two NCAA playoff appearances during his career, including a 13-1 record in 2019 when Slippery Rock won the PSAC Championship and the Super Region 1 Championship. He finished his collegiate career with 74 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Bader earned his bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Slippery Rock University in 2019.
