BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University Associate Vice President for Athletics and Student Wellness, Dr. Marybeth Lamb, announced today that Head Football Coach, Joe Verria, has been elevated to full-time status at the University effective November 1st.

“Joe Verria is BSU Football., said Lamb. “I have gotten to know Joe over the past ten years and know him to be a great strategist, recruiter and resource for his team.  He not only develops great players, but also great men.”

“Elevating Joe to full-time status has been a goal of mine and President (Fred) Clark’s for quite some time,” Lamb added. “While it may have been delayed by the COVID pandemic, we are excited to be able to make this move. This will now bring both football and track & field, our two largest sports, to an equitable level in both staffing and recruiting resources.”

Coach Verria was named the Bears’ head football coach in August of 2016 following 28 seasons as a top assistant coach and defensive coordinator. Since taking over the head coaching reins in 2016, Joe has guided his teams to an overall record of 31-25 (.544) with a 29-13 (.700) mark against MASCAC opponents. The BSU football team captured the MASCAC championship in 2016 and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fourth time in program history. In 2018, the Bears earned a spot in the New England Bowl and posted a 34-19 win over Salve Regina University.

“Having had the opportunity to play at Bridgewater State, coach here for 34 years and be the head coach since 2016, has been a great honor,” said Verria. “I have always felt that coaching is what I wanted to do with my life and now to be able to do it on a full time basis is a dream come true.”

Coach Verria was a star defensive tackle for Bridgewater State for four seasons from 1976 to 1979. Following his collegiate career, he had several NFL tryouts including stints with the Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. Joe was also a track star for the Bears and was an All-MASCAC shot putter in 1980 and 1981. He graduated from Bridgewater State in 1981 with a degree in mathematics.

Joe returned to Bridgewater in 1988 as an assistant coach under the legendary Peter Mazzaferro, and has served on the coaching staff ever since. In 2001, Joe was inducted into the Bridgewater State Athletics Hall of Fame. Before joining the Bears' coaching staff, he also coached for three years at East Bridgewater High School (1985-87).

Joe and his wife of 37 years, Maryann, reside in Bridgewater with their son, Ryan. Ryan played wide receiver on the BSU football team for three seasons and graduated from Bridgewater State in 2022.