HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata College Athletics Department is thrilled to announce the hiring of Blake Treadwell as the 24th head coach of the football program. As a highly decorated former student-athlete, captain and five-year letter winner from Michigan State, he brings a wealth of football knowledge and coaching experience to Juniata.
Treadwell was a standout student-athlete at Michigan State where he started on both the offensive and defensive lines at various points in his career. He won two Big Ten Championships, played in four bowl games, and served as a team captain in the 2013 Rose Bowl where the Spartans topped No. 5 Stanford. He was named to the ESPN.com All-Bowl Team for his performance in that game and earned All-Big Ten second team honors in the 2013 season where he played all 13 games at left guard. The 2013 team won a program record 13 games and finished the year ranked No. 3 in the country.
"His competitive spirit, high standards and impeccable character will elevate Juniata football and I couldn't be more excited to have him as the next leader of our program, " said Nikki Ayers, Director of Athletics. "No one works harder or cares more about the student-athletes than Coach Treadwell."
"It's truly an honor to be named the Head Football Coach at Juniata College," said Treadwell. "I am grateful to President Jim Troha and Athletic Director Nikki Ayers for the opportunity to step into this role and help lead the Eagles forward. Juniata is truly a unique place that combines high academics in a liberal arts college environment with a welcoming, family-oriented community. I am excited to build and develop young men here and lead this program to a new level of success on and off the field. I firmly believe in the high potential of our school and team, and I am eager to continue our established momentum this offseason."
Treadwell began his college coaching career at University of South Florida, serving as an offensive line graduate assistant for two seasons. The Bulls achieved historic success during his time there, including a 2016 season which saw the team finish 11-2 and No. 19 in the final AP Poll, while ranking in the top 5 nationally in rushing offense. They also finished seventh in scoring offense that year. After his stint at USF, Coach Treadwell returned to Michigan State, serving as an offensive line graduate assistant for three seasons. The team won the Holiday Bowl during his time on the coaching staff. From there, Treadwell spent time at Bucknell University as a running backs coach, before moving on to Buffalo State for a season where he was the offensive line coach. In 2022 he arrived at Juniata, serving as the offensive line coach, run game coordinator and football academic coordinator.
"I am very excited for Coach Treadwell to be named the Head Football Coach at Juniata" said search committee member and Juniata Football alumnus, Ray Ghaner '01. "He brings a strong pedigree of coaching experience to the helm. He knows what it takes to be successful, and he has a documented history of hard work as both a player and a coach. Coach Treadwell is a workhorse who embodies the blue-collar mentality that made Juniata football successful in the past. Exciting times lie ahead!"
Coach Treadwell is no stranger to collegiate coaching. Football runs in the family. His father, Don Treadwell, is a well-known Division I coach with over 30 years of experience with assistant coaching stops at Michigan State, Youngstown State, Stanford, Boston College and was the Head Coach at his alma mater, the Miami University (OH). His younger brother Spencer joined Defiance College in Ohio in 2022 as their Offensive Coordinator. On top of his outstanding athletic career, Treadwell excelled in the classroom, earning his bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's in sports administration from Michigan State. Coach Treadwell has agreed to start his appointment immediately.
