Bruce Hardin

Position: Special Teams Graduated: Appalachian State '66

A legendary high school coach in the state of North Carolina, Bruce Hardin returned to the collegiate ranks a year ago as a member of Bobby Ross' first Army coaching staff. Hardin begins his second season on the Black Knights' staff and will oversee special teams and assist with the secondary once again this fall.

Prior to his arrival at West Point last winter, Hardin last coached on the collegiate level in 2000, serving a one-year stint as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at The Citadel.

In 29 seasons as a high school head coach, Hardin compiled an impressive overall record of 283-88 (.763), while capturing 15 conference championships and a pair of state titles. His clubs also finished as state runnerup on three occasions, making 23 state playoff appearances in all.

Hardin, 60, joined Ross' initial coaching staff at Army following three successful years as head coach at Providence High School in Charlotte, N.C., where he led his squad to conference championships each of his final two years. Prior to his one-year stint at The Citadel, he served as head coach at A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, N.C., for 11 years. During that time, he guided A.L. Brown to conference crowns in 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998 and 1999, garnering state championships in 1989 and 1997.

While at A.L. Brown, Hardin also assumed duties as director of athletics for Kannapolis City Schools and was honored as the North Carolina Athletic Director of the Year in 1998.

A 1966 graduate of Appalachian State University, Hardin spent nine seasons (1980-88) as the head football coach at West Charlotte High School, helping the Lions to five league championships. He also served as the head coach at Harding High from 1977 through 1979.

Additionally, Hardin served as head coach of the North Carolina team in the 1996 Shrine Bowl and an assistant in 1991. He also coached the West squad in the 1988 North Carolina East-West All-Star Game.

A native of Forest City, N.C., Hardin and his wife, Brenda, are the parents of twin sons: Justin and Blair, both of whom lettered in football and graduated from The Citadel last spring. The family resides at West Point.