Joe Bernardi

Biography

Joe Bernardi was promoted to WKU's Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach in the spring of 2026, after working as WKU's Offensive Line Coach for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The 2026 season will be his third on The Hill. In 2025, Bernardi helped produce the top scoring offense in CUSA at 29.5 points per game. The Hilltoppers ranked third in the league in sacks allowed and were first in passing at 272.2 yards per game, despite replacing four starters along the offensive line from the 2024 season. Left guard Laurence Seymore was named Football Writers Association of America All-America Second Team following the season, while Seymore and left tackle Marshall Jackson represented WKU's offensive line on the All-CUSA teams and Elijah Williams was named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team. In 2024, during his first season with the program, Bernardi helped the Hilltoppers to an 8-6 record and berths in the Conference USA Championship Game and the Boca Raton Bowl. He coached four offensive linemen that finished with All-Conference USA recognition. Earning All-CUSA Second Team Offense honors were right tackle Marshall Jackson and left guard Quantavious Leslie, while left tackle Travon Taylor and center Evan Wibberley were voted All-CUSA Honorable Mention. Bernardi's 2024 offensive line helped protect CUSA Offensive Player of the Year Caden Veltkamp, and the Hilltopper offense finished first in the league and 25th nationally in passing. Bernardi made the move to WKU in 2024 after stops a