By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Brayden Tidd has gone through the tough times as a player at Bedford North Lawrence. Now he will look to lead his alma mater, coming off another rough season in its half-century of existence, into a new era.
Tidd was chosen as the new head coach of the Stars. He succeeds Derrick Barker as the 10th man to guide the program in BNL history. He will inherit a team coming off a 2-9 campaign as he looks to steer the Stars on a new course. BNL has enjoyed only 21 winning seasons during its 51 years. The overall record during that span is 241–271, and only two coaches have recorded winning records over an extended period.
That’s the challenge for a young coach (age 27) who’s not long removed from starting at quarterback for three seasons in a BNL uniform. That first year, as a sophomore with a new head coach (Steve Weber) was a struggle, only one win. It prepared him for the rebuilding and restoring of trust and confidence he faces during the months ahead. That means he won’t back down, rather he embraces it. He’s only the second former BNL player (after Jeff Callahan) to return and tackle the issues facing a program he loves. Tidd Time means a change in direction.
“I’m almost speechless,” Tidd said. “It means a lot, being a younger guy, to have a lot of faith in me to take over this program and get some things done around here.”
BNL’s only wins last season came against Jennings County (in the regular season and the first round of the Class 4A sectional). The Stars were conquered four times with a running clock at the conclusion of the game. There were only a handful of seniors on the roster.
“It’s something we can turn around,” Tidd said. “I’ve already been watching film, to see where we need to get back to the basics. I believe some things can be built on. At the end of the day, that’s what I learned from mentors of mine. No matter what level, you can always go back to the basics. You need to do that, even if you think you’re far enough along. I’m very excited to turn it around.
“You can lose a lot of confidence. You have to reassure them the talent is there and we can win ballgames, get some confidence back. It’s a little demoralizing when you don’t win when you think you should. I’m excited to show them who they can be and what they can be.”
Following his graduation from BNL in 2016, Tidd played college football at Mount St. Joseph, a respected Div. III program, before a shoulder injury ended his career. He transitioned to coaching as a passing game analyst and quarterback coach with the Lions. Tidd also worked on the BNL staff for two seasons and later served as an assistant at Eastern Greene. He will approach the job through the prism of a former quarterback.
“I don’t think it’s a bad way to approach it,” Tidd said. “I learned a lot playing that position, about offenses and defenses, especially in college. For me, it will be figuring out all the ins and outs, the fundraising and figuring out the different meetings. The football part, I’ve lived that. I eat, sleep and breathe football. That part, I’m not worried about.”
BNL will require a total culture shift and mindset change. The Stars will need to start their improvement with seriousness in the weight room, then work on the toughness, tackling, line play and on-field deportment – all the things that lead to success.
“We have to hit home on the weight room,” Tidd said. “I’m excited to get in there and do that. We’re going to remove all the distractions out of the weight room. I want everyone to be focused on what’s going on. That’s the priority.
“It will be extremely competitive. Whether it’s competition in the weight room, or every practice in drills without the football. We need to teach the kids to be competitive. It doesn’t matter about the name on the front of the jersey when we face another team, we’re going to be tough and compete. When you look at the roster, and all the multi-sport athletes, guys with size, the talent is there. I know it’s there. I think we can build on that.
“It starts with me, the energy I bring. I go crazy, jump up and down on the sideline. It’s seeing that I share the same love for the game they have. Most importantly, it’s being relatable to the kids, Being in the youth ministry has helped me get to the point where I can show them they’re not alone. I was in their shoes once.”
Tidd will be looking to start a new tradition. Only two BNL coaches (Gil Fey and Bret Szabo) have had winning records of four-plus years, and BNL has won only one sectional title (2011) and only 14 tournament games since the IHSAA instituted the current system in 1985. He is following in the footsteps of Fey, Terry Willoughby, Marc Anderson, Dave Conrad, Randy Johnson, Callahan, Szabo, Weber and Barker in BNL coaching history.
“Brayden is a young, bright, energetic coach,” BNL athletic director Adam Yates said. “Coach Tidd has strong relationship-building qualities and is a great guy who meshes well with others. He will instill the values of hard work, discipline, and accountability within the program. We are excited for Brayden to get to work and establish the next chapter of the BNL football program.”
BNL will open the 2025 season at Martinsville on Aug. 22.
BNL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Coach Years Record
Gil Fey 1974-81 56-25
Terry Willoughby 1982-87 19-38
Marc Anderson 1988 6-4
Dave Conrad 1989-93 11-35
Randy Johnson 1994-97 19-19
Jeff Callahan 1998-2002 16-34
Bret Szabo 2003-12 62-44
Steve Weber 2013-20 33-48
Derrick Barker 2021-24 19-24
