MEADVILLE, Pa. -- Following an extensive national search, Allegheny College is pleased to announce the return of former offensive coordinator Braden Layer as the 36th head football coach in program history.

Layer will be introduced to the College community in a press conference on Thursday, March 2, at 1:00 p.m. at the Parent Library in the Tippie Alumni Center.

"I would like to thank President Ron Cole, Director of Athletics Bill Ross, and Assistant Athletic Director Kate Costanzo for giving me this opportunity, " Layer said. "Throughout the interview process, I was able to hear that their vision for the future of Allegheny football and the goals of the program closely aligned with what I plan to build. I couldn't be more excited to have the chance to lead such a storied and proud program.

"The magnitude of the position is not lost on me. I can assure everyone associated with Allegheny College that you are getting an extreme competitor and an individual that will earn this spot every single day. We will leave no stone unturned to reestablish a winning product on the field, develop leaders in the classroom and community, and build a program that everyone can get behind."

A veteran coach with a decade of experience at the Division I and III levels, Layer boasts a track record of success on the offensive side of the ball as he's risen through the ranks from position coach to passing game coordinator, offensive coordinator, and play caller. During that time, he spent two seasons overseeing one of Allegheny's most explosive offensive units in recent years.

"Braden Layer is a coach that is ready to take on the challenge of bringing Allegheny football back to prominence," said Bill Ross, director of athletics and recreation. "His high energy and passion for both the game of football and Allegheny College were abundantly evident during our search process. We are excited to see Braden at the helm of our football program; we have nothing but fond memories of his tenure as our offensive coordinator."

During his first stint in Meadville in 2017 and 2018, Layer served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Under his watch, Allegheny enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in the past 12 years while several student-athletes posted career numbers. The team doubled its total in the win column between Layer's first and second year. In the fall of 2017, quarterback Logan Lee '19 set program records for passing yards (3,002) and touchdowns (33) in a season before graduating as the all-time leader in career touchdown passes (63). Lee's favorite target, Alex Victor '20, developed into the most prolific receiver in team history and, to this day, is the only Gator to surpass 3,000 career receiving yards and 200 catches. Running back Tyler Balla '19 also exploded onto the scene in Layer's offense and graduated among the all-time top-10 rushers with more than 2,400 yards.

Most recently, Layer spent the 2022 campaign as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at the University of Dayton. The Flyers, a Division I FCS institution and Pioneer Football League (PFL) member, went 8-3 and tied for second in the PFL with a 6-2 league record. Layer also spent three years leading the offense and recruiting efforts at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, from 2019-22. With the Polar Bears, he mentored the only two running backs in school history to receive All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) First-Team honors.

A former All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) wide receiver at Denison University, Layer began his coaching career in 2013 as a graduate assistant at Division I Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, before spending two years at his alma mater as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. In 2016, he joined the staff at Sewanee: The University Of The South, a Division III member of the Southern Athletic Association (SAA), as co-offensive coordinator.

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Layer graduated from Denison in December 2012 with a degree in communications and economics. A four-year letterwinner for the Big Red, he received Academic All America accolades from College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and was an All-NCAC First Team selection in his final season.

Layer completed his master's in health and human performance in 2014 while at Austin Peay State.

For any prospective student-athletes interested in joining the Allegheny football program, please complete a recruiting questionnaire, which can be found by clicking here.

What They're Saying About Braden Layer…
"Coach Layer had such a positive impact on my football career, from working with Coach Hammer and deciding to switch my position from running back to wide receiver, which ultimately led to all of the record-breaking seasons, to molding an offense not just around myself, but other great players, and continually placing us in position to be successful each Saturday. I think you need to be able to push your best players to their full potential, day in and day out. That is what I experienced during Coach Layer's tenure at Allegheny, and that is certainly the experience you will get with Coach Layer as the head coach. I'm excited, not just for him, but for the entire Allegheny football community and their new chapter."
- Alex Victor '20
Allegheny College's All-Time Leading Wide Receiver

"I am very excited for Braden to return to Allegheny as head football coach. He played an integral role during our incredible rebuild of the program. Allegheny is getting a great leader, inventive football mind, and a coach that will help create impact men."
- BJ Hammer, Head Coach, Bowdoin College
Former Allegheny Head Coach, 2016-18

"I am really happy for Braden. He has worked very hard to get to this point, and he is more than deserving of this opportunity. He is a genuine, high-character man who is going to be a great leader for his student-athletes, both on and off the field. I expect him to lead Allegheny to new heights."
- Brian Mason, Special Teams Coordinator, University of Notre Dame
2022 FootballScoop Special Teams Coach of the Year

"Braden Layer is a great hire for Allegheny. He is a very organized person, relates well to players, has a high football IQ, and can take command as a leader. When I hired Braden, I could tell it would not be very long until he was a college football head coach. He will make Allegheny football better."
- Rick Chamberlin, Retired Head Coach, University of Dayton
Pioneer Football League Record Holder for Career Victories

"Braden Layer is a very special coach. He is super smart, a person of integrity, has a fierce work ethic, and understands building team culture. Simply put, Braden is the best."
- Nan Carney-DeBord, Associate VP, Director of Athletics, Denison University

"Braden Layer is one of the brightest young coaches that I have been around. His knowledge of the game, relentless work ethic, and passion for his players makes him the perfect leader for the proud tradition of Allegheny football. Expect great things from the Gators in the near future."
- Jack Hatem, Head Coach, Denison University
Layer's College Coach, Second-Most Wins in Denison History

"I've known Coach Layer since I was being recruited out of high school. Coach Layer exemplifies the definition of a great coach and an even better man. He is dedicated to his players and the game of football, and it is not hard to see. I don't know anyone more deserving of this opportunity. Being a Gator alum, I cannot wait to see where he takes this program."
- Ben Bachik '20
Allegheny College Former All-Conference Wide Receiver