Longtime college football coach Greg Studrawa is the new head football coach of IMG Academy’s National Team. According to a news release from the Bradenton, Florida, Studrawa has “25 years at top college football programs – including Ohio State University, Louisiana State University (LSU), the University of Maryland, Bowling Green University, and Arkansas State.”
Studrawa comes to IMG after being the offensive coordinator in the European League of Football.
“At the start of the interview process, it was crucial to find a head coach who was the perfect fit for our IMG Academy National Football team,” said Brian Nash, Vice President of Athletics at IMG Academy. “Throughout the search, it became clear that Coach Strudrawa is the ideal person to empower our student-athletes to win their future. Coach Strudrawa has proven overall several decades that he possesses the expertise and leadership needed to elevate our program and the passion and commitment to develop student-athletes into well-rounded individuals ready for college and beyond.”
An Ohio native, Studrawa began his collegiate coaching career at Bowling Green. From 2003 to 2006 he was BG’s offensive coordinator. After his time at Bowling Green, Studrawa spent several successful years at LSU before a brief stint at Maryland and eventually joining Ohio State under Urban Meyer and later under Brian Day.
Studrawa served as the the offensive line coach at Ohio State. According to the IMG news release, “during his time with the Buckeyes, Studrawa helmed a dominant offensive line that earned multiple All-Big Ten honors and produced several NFL Draft selections. Across his decades-long coaching career, he has worked under three national championship-winning head coaches—Les Miles at LSU, and Urban Meyer and Ryan Day at Ohio State—gaining invaluable experience and insight.”
During his seven years at LSU, Studrawa helped develop eight All-SEC offensive student-athletes, including two first-team All-Americans: Will Blackwell in 2011 and Herman Johnson in 2008, as well as a second-team All-American, Ciron Black, in 2009. Black also won the prestigious Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2009, awarded to the top offensive lineman in the SEC. In 2010, Studrawa mentored Joseph Barksdale to second-team All-SEC honors before he was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. Under his coaching, LSU’s offensive line ranked among the best in the SEC, finishing fourth in rushing yards per game (185.7) and fifth in sacks allowed (24). Over his seven years with the Tigers, LSU posted an impressive 73-20 record.
“The IMG Academy National Football Team head coaching position is one of the premier coaching jobs in America, and Greg is the perfect candidate to lead our student-athletes on and off the field,” said Kyle Brey, Director of Football at IMG Academy. “He brings a wealth of experience at the highest levels of college football, including national championship success that will benefit our student-athletes. We believe his championship mindset, deep recruiting connections, and commitment to providing an unrivaled experience for our student-athletes will elevate our program and continue our tradition of excellence on the national stage.”
“Of all the roles I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of in my decades-long coaching career, IMG Academy is easily the one I am most excited about and the one I feel I can bring the most value to,” said Strudrawa via a news release. “This is a place that puts the student-athlete at the heart of its purpose, and where everyone is bought into empowering the student-athletes to win their future – something I cannot wait to do. Together, we will continue to develop student-athletes, compete at the highest level, and continue to put IMG Academy on the national stage.”
Strudrawa takes over for Billy Miller, who resigned to join Bill Belichick’s staff at North Carolina. Miller took-over the IMG national team in 2022.
IMG has been a regular in the High School Football America national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. The Ascenders won the HSFA national championship during the 2020-21 season.
Last season, IMG finished No. 10 in the nation with a 7-2 record. The Ascenders haven’t missed the national rankings since 2015. Since then, the program’s lowest national ranking was No. 13 in 2021.
IMG National Team rankings in HSFA National Rankings through the Years
2024 – No. 10
2023 – No. 4
2022 – No. 8
2021 – No. 13
2020 – No. 1
2019 – No. 6
2018 – No. 5
2017 – No. 3
2016 – No. 3
2015 – No. 7
