West Liberty, W.Va. - Few players in West Liberty football history — or NCAA Division II history — rewrote the record books quite like Zach Amedro. One of the most prolific quarterbacks to ever play the game, Amedro turned the NCAA Division II passing records into his personal legacy during an unforgettable four-year career with the Hilltoppers from 2007-2010.

A native of the Ohio Valley and standout at John Marshall High School, Amedro arrived at West Liberty after spending a redshirt season at NCAA Division I-AA Appalachian State. What followed was one of the most dominant offensive careers Division II football has ever seen. By the time his career ended, Amedro had established NCAA Division II records for career passing yards (14,733) and completions (1,079). His streak of 30 consecutive 300-yard passing games still stands as the longest in Division II history.

Amedro led West Liberty to some of the most successful seasons in program history, including an undefeated WVIAC championship and NCAA Division II playoff appearance in 2009. That postseason run featured one of the wildest playoff games in college football history — an 84-63 victory over Edinboro in the opening round.

Individually, Amedro earned All-American honors twice while collecting back-to-back WVIAC and Atlantic Region Player of the Year awards. He also finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to Division II's National Player of the Year, in both 2009 and 2010. Among his favorite memories at West Liberty are the 2009 playoff run, finishing runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy in consecutive seasons, and breaking the NCAA Division II all-time passing yards record during his senior year.

Following graduation with a degree in exercise physiology, Amedro returned to the Hilltopper sidelines as an assistant coach, serving as quarterbacks coach from 2014-2018.
Today, he works as a Production Control Manager at Swisher International while also coaching his sons' youth football teams, helping pass along the same passion and competitiveness that defined his playing career.

Even years after his playing days ended, West Liberty remains an important part of Amedro's life and family. More than a decade after his final snap, Zach Amedro's impact on West Liberty football still echoes throughout the program — not only through the records he set, but through the standard he helped establish for future generations of Hilltoppers.

Timeless Topper Q&A with Zach Amedro

Sport, you played/coached at West Liberty?
Football

Major?
Exercise Physiology

Years you attended/worked at West Liberty?
Played: 2007-2010
Quarterbacks Coach: 2014-2018

What are you doing now?
Production Control Manager at Swisher International
Coaching his 7 and 9-year-old sons' football teams

Favorite memory of West Liberty?

• 2009 playoff run to the national quarterfinals
• Back-to-back Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up finishes during his junior and senior seasons
• Breaking the NCAA Division II all-time career passing yards record during his senior year

Advice to current athletes or students?
"Treat practice like games. Our 2009 team used to battle in practice. We treated practice like it was a playoff game and the competitiveness and intensity from that improved both sides of the ball and carried over into our games."

What does it mean to be an alumnus/former coach of West Liberty?
"It means a lot, especially now getting to bring my two sons up to practices and games and watching them get to experience the program. Coach Forshey had them up a few years ago to do the coin toss for a home game and Coach Salisbury had them up to practice and let them join in on all of the QB drills and it was a great experience for them."

Most influential coaches or teammates during your time at West Liberty?
"Coach Waialae and Coach Krol. My entire offense were great teammates, and I got to play with some great athletes — Kevon Calhoun, Branden Ore, Kashif Walls, Eddie Hills, Ryan Travis, Willie Walker and my offensive line."



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.