Bryce Saia comes to Toledo with experience at many levels of collegiate football, as well as at the professional ranks. He will coach the safeties.

"Bryce brings a wealth of knowledge to our program," said Campbell. "He's had success at just about every level of football. He has a great teaching style, and he will have instant respect from our players due to his background. Bryce gives us a great opportunity to improve as a football team."

Saia coached at Emporia State for the past three seasons, the first two as the defensive backs coach before adding defensive coordinator to his duties in 2011. Prior to joining the Hornets in 2009, Saia spent two seasons in the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers. He served as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator as the Rattlers advanced to the AFL playoffs in 2008.

Before joining the Rattlers, Saia spent four years coaching the defensive line at Southern Illinois under current University of Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill. The Salukis were ranked either first or second in sacks and against the rush in the Missouri Valley Conference during his tenure and in 2004 had the top-ranked scoring defense in the Football Championship Sub-Division.

From 1998-2003, Saia served as the defensive coordinator and defensive back coach at Coffeyville Community College. The Red Ravens led the Jayhawk Conference in total defense in 2003 and were consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally in defense. Prior to his stint at CCC, Saia coached the linebackers at Butler County Community College in 1997.

Throughout his years at Coffeyville and Butler County, Saia coached numerous Division I and NFL players, including Brandon Jacobs of the NY Giants, Jonathan Joseph of the Cincinnati Bengals, Reggie Nelson of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Travis Fisher of the Detroit Lions and DeShawn Goldston of the San Francisco 49ers.

Saia's first coaching position was as a defensive assistant at Fort Hays State from 1994-1996 where he also received his Bachelors of Science degree. He played linebacker for his father Tom Saia at Butler County C.C. from 1990-1991.

Saia was a two-time all-state linebacker in high school, first as a junior at Buhler HS and again as a senior at El Dorado HS. He has a son, Nicholas Cole.

Bryce Saia's Coaching Experience

2011                Emporia State                      Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2009-10           Emporia State                      Defensive Backs

2007-08           Arizona Rattlers (AFL)           Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator

2004-07           Southern Illinois                   Defensive Line

1998-2003       Coffeyville C.C.                     Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

1997                Butler County C.C.                Linebackers

1994-96           Fort Hays State                    Defensive Assistant