Jacksonville University

Jacksonville University women's lacrosse head coach Mindy McCord welcomed Mike Bedford as an assistant coach in August, 2020.

In year two as an assistant for the Dolphins, Bedford helped JU to another extremely successful season capped by their fifth straight ASUN Conference Title and eighth overall NCAA Tournament bid. Under his offensive instruction the Dolphin unit was able to lead the country in shots with 704, while also claiming second in scoring offense, third in points per game, and third in scoring margin. Also working extensively with the Dolphins' three goalkeepers, Bedford assisted in achieving a team save percentage of .517, while also helping Redshirt Freshman Goalkeeper Paige Pagano claim ASUN Freshman and Defender of the Year, and also Conference Tournament MVP.

In his first year as an assistant, the Dolphins had one of the programs most historic seasons yet. His first game on staff, the team defeated a ranked team for the first time in program history, after beating Florida, 12-11. Under Bedford's instruction, the team achieved a 3-0 conference record and its fourth-straight, seventh ASUN Conference Title. During the post-season, the team earned its seventh NCAA Tournament bid and made it to the second round for the first time in program history. 

Bedford joined the program after serving one season as volunteer assistant at Michigan and prior to that, one season as the assistant coach at Rutgers University where he was the defensive and recruiting coordinator for the Scarlet Knights. He also served as the head coach of the Philadelphia Force in the United Women's Lacrosse League for two seasons, coaching the team to the 2018 undefeated UWLX Championship.

At Rutgers, he was responsible for implementing all facets of the defensive strategy as well as goalkeeper training, practice planning and team development. During his time at Rutgers Bedford helped mentor a strong freshmen class including Sarah Cedarstrand who was selected to the U-19 Puerto Rico Women's Lacrosse National Team and had three freshmen earn Big Ten Conference Rookie of the Week honors in the 2019 campaign.

Along with his coaching duties, Bedford helped manage operations budgets, served as a camp director and was a liaison between the coaching staff and strength and conditioning department as well as the athletic training department.

Prior to his stint at Rutgers, Bedford spent one season as the defensive coordinator at Boston University where he helped the team to a 2018 Patriot League semifinal. Bedford was also an assistant coach at William & Mary from 2016-17. Working primarily with the Tribe's goalies, he guided the goal-keeping unit to lead the Colonial Athletic Association with a 9.18 saves per game average during the 2016 season.

Bedford spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Hofstra where the Pride was the 2015 CAA Regular Season Champions after going 6-0 in conference action and earned multiple CAA honors.

He spent one season at Lenoir Rhyne University as the defensive coach from 2012-13 where he also oversaw the goalkeepers and position players. Bedford earned his start in collegiate coaching at Suffolk County Community College where he spent two seasons as an undergrad, helping the team to a NJCAA National Champion Runner-Up finish in the 2006 campaign. Bedford was named team captain in his sophomore season, earning first team all-region as well as being named a Second Team NJCAA All-American.

Bedford went on to play two seasons at Long Island University Post, where he helped the team to the NCAA National Championship in 2009 and an East Conference Championship.

Following his collegiate career, Bedford had a short stint as a member of the Chesapeake Bayhawk's practice squad and earned a spot on the Charlotte Copper Head's team in the professional lacrosse league in 2012.

Bedford graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical education and a minor in coaching from Long Island University Post in 2009.