University of Connecticut Football

Angela Gaspard begins her second season as a full-time member of the UConn football staff in 2025. Gaspard has worked with the football program in various ca...

Coach Bo Buttermore comes to Storrs to serve in the role of assistant linebackers coach. Buttemore comes from Tennessee, where he was a football graduate ass...

Bradley Bichey joins the Huskies in 2026 as the director of football strength and conditioning. Bichey has worked with 10 Rockets who became NFL draftees, including Quinyon Mitchell (2024-first round/Philadelphia), Diontae Johnson (2019-third round/Pittsburgh) and Kareem Hunt (2017-third round/Kansas City), Tycen Anderson (2022-fifth round/Cincinnati) and Samuel Womack (2022-fifth round/San Francisco). Hunt led the NFL in rushing with 1,327 yards as a rookie in 2017. Johnson caught 59 passes as a rookie for the Steelers in 2019, and grabbed 107 balls in 2021 and was named to the Pro Bowl. Mitchell, who was the first Rocket taken in the first round in 31 years, was runnerup for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Bichey joined the Rockets in 2016 following three seasons as the associate director of strength and conditioning at Arkansas. A native of Ambridge, Pa., Bichey is a graduate of West Liberty State University, where he completed his bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology in 2008. He also played football and baseball at West Liberty State, earning academic all-conference honors in 2008 in baseball. He earned his master’s degree in health education at Penn State in 2011. Bichey worked under the direction of master strength coach Mickey Marotti at Florida during an internship in 2008, a year in which the Gators won the national championship. He then worked as a graduate assistant strength coach for football at Penn State under master strength coach John Thomas from

Brady Lichtenberg joins the UConn football staff as a defensive analyst in his first collegiate coaching role. Lichtenberg brings a strong playing background...

FootballSkip AdHillyer, BrockAnderson, JayAtkins, NateBichey, BradBlackwell, MarquelButtermore, BoCampanile, NunzioCandle, JasonCashmore, PatChance, RodCole, NateCollins, JuniorDelCampo, JakeDixon, KerryEly, DarylFiorito, MikeGreen, CorbinGuard, PhillHillyer, BrockJacobs, MickeyJenkins, BrooksKessel, NikKlinec, ChristianLichtenberg, Brady Manalac, RyanMorookian, JohnSchaefer, JoeTaylor, JabariWeiner, RobertWray, Max

Brooks Jenkins comes to Storrs, and will serve as an assistant defensive tackles coach. In 2025, Jenkins was director of player development and assistant defensive analyst under Head Coach Jason Candle at Toledo. Prior to this role, Jenkins was a graduate assistant for the Rockets for two seasons, working primarily with the defense. Prior to his time in Toledo, Jenkins was a defensive lines coach for Mount Union from 2017-20 before spending the 2021 season as a graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan. At Mount Union, the Purple Raiders posted a 44-2 record with four Ohio Athletic Conference titles and 2017 NCAA Division III National Championship. In his playing career, Jenkins was a three-year starter on the offensive line, a two-time All-OAC selection and starter on the 2015 National Championship team. In 2016, Jenkins started every game, earning All-American honors and winning the Ken Wable Award as the top lineman in the conference.

Christian Klinec joins the Huskies in 2026 and will serve as associate director of football strength and conditioning. Christian Klinec is in his ninth season as Toledo’s assistant football strength and conditioning coach. Prior to that, he served for two years as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant at Toledo. He also served internships at Kansas in 2013 and at Mississippi State in 2014. A native of North Olmsted, Ohio, Klinec received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Mount Union in 2014. He played four seasons of football with the Purple Raiders. Klinec also earned his master’s degree in recreation and leisure studies from UT in 2016.

Colin Leddy begins his second season on the UConn coaching staff in 2025 and will work as an assistant on offense working with the Husky wide receivers. Leddy joined Head Coach Jim Mora’s staff for the spring of 2024 after spending previous season at Boston College as the offensive quality control coach working with the wide receivers and tight ends. Leddy was responsible for assisting in the development of offensive players through film sessions, individual drills, and practice. He assisted with daily and weekly practice/staff schedules as well as offensive self-scouting and handling opponent scouting and scout team during practice sessions. Prior to his time at BC, Leddy spent two seasons working on staff at SUNY Brockport in 2021 and 2022. Leddy was an assistant coach working with the wide receivers, the JV offensive coordinator and worked as the director of football operations as well. He preceded his that with a stop at New Hampshire as the offensive quality control coach with wide receivers in 2020 Leddy got his coaching career started in the high school ranks, working with Ingolstadt Dukes U19 in Germany and Newton South High School in 2018 and 2019. He got his first experience on the collegiate level as an offensive and recruiting intern for Harvard University during the spring of 2020. Leddy earned his degree in communications and media studies from Plymouth State University in 2018 and went on to get his master’s in education and athletic administration during his t

FootballSkip AdGreen, CorbinAnderson, JayAtkins, NateBichey, BradBlackwell, MarquelButtermore, BoCampanile, NunzioCandle, JasonCashmore, PatChance, RodCole, NateCollins, JuniorDelCampo, JakeDixon, KerryEly, DarylFiorito, MikeGreen, CorbinGuard, PhillHillyer, BrockJacobs, MickeyJenkins, BrooksKessel, NikKlinec, ChristianLichtenberg, Brady Manalac, RyanMorookian, JohnSchaefer, JoeTaylor, JabariWeiner, RobertWray, Max

Daniel Mojica joined the UConn football staff as the assistant director of football operations the 2025 season. Mojica, a 2023 UConn graduate, brings five-ye...

Daryl Ely joins the Huskies and will serve as the assistant defensive backs coach. Prior to his arrival in Storrs, Ely spent 15 years on the Mount Union football staff, and was the defensive coordinator for the last four seasons. During his time at Mount Union, Ely has coached multiple All-Americans and OAC award winners. As defensive coordinator, Ely’s defenses have been top 10 nationally ever year in total defense and twice in scoring defense. In 2023, the Purple Raiders ranked second in the country in scoring defense, only allowing 8.3 points per game. In his playing career, Ely was a two-time All-OAC selection and All-American defensive back. Ely won the Tressel Award as senior team captain on the 2008 Mount Union Team that won the OAC title and National Championship. Ely was inducted into the Winter Springs High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

Ian Fried joined the football staff at the University of Connecticut in January of 2026 after serving as Assistant Athletic Director for Recruiting and Pro L...

Jabari Taylor joins the Huskies in 2026 as a strength and conditioning intern. Taylor played 56 games at the University of Cincinnati, making 23 starts with the Bearcats. In six seasons, Taylor recorded 96 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Taylor forced and recovered two fumbles and recorded three pass breakups.

Jake DelCampo joins the Huskies after three seasons with the Butler football coaching staff. With the Bulldogs, DelCampo served as a defensive analyst, prima...

FootballSkip AdAnderson, JayAnderson, JayAtkins, NateBichey, BradBlackwell, MarquelButtermore, BoCampanile, NunzioCandle, JasonCashmore, PatChance, RodCole, NateCollins, JuniorDelCampo, JakeDixon, KerryEly, DarylFiorito, MikeGreen, CorbinGuard, PhillHillyer, BrockJacobs, MickeyJenkins, BrooksKessel, NikKlinec, ChristianLichtenberg, Brady Manalac, RyanMorookian, JohnSchaefer, JoeTaylor, JabariWeiner, RobertWray, Max

John Morookian joins the Huskies in 2026 and will coach the offensive line. Morookian comes to Storrs from Michigan, where he held the same role, coaching an elite Wolverine offensive line. In 2022, Morookian held an analytical role for a Michigan unit that won the Joe Moore Award, an award given to the country’s best line. Moorokian helped Michigan to an undefeated Big 10 Championship in 2022 and a berth in the College Football Playoffs. Before Michigan, Morookian spent two seasons at Charlotte, coaching the offensive tackles and tight ends before coaching the entire offensive line. In 2023, Morookian coached tight-end Colin Weber to a team-lead 34 receptions, the first tight end in program history to lead the team in receptions. Prior to Charlotte, Morookian coached the offensive line at Akron in 2021 and held the same role at Kansas in 2020 after being hired as the senior analyst. Morookian was the offensive quality control assistant at Iowa State for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, helping the Cyclones reach consecutive bowl games, highlighted by a 2018 season in which Iowa State went 8-5 and broke the school record for conference wins in a season (six). In 2015 and 2016, Morookian was the offensive line coach at Tiffin University (Division II) in Ohio. Tiffin finished with an 8-3 record in the 2016 season, averaging 434.5 yards of total offense and 31.4 points per game. Morookian was a graduate assistant at Toledo in 2014, helping the Rockets go 9-4 and make the GoDaddy Bowl.

Jasper “Junior” Collins comes to Storrs in 2026, and will serve as the assistant wide receivers coach. Collins was the offensive coordinator at Mount Union for the 2025 season, guiding the Raiders to an 11-1 record. Under Collins’ direction, Giovanni Kenendy was named to the D3football.com All-America First Team. Collins and Mount Union led the Ohio Athletic Conference in scoring (43.5 ppg.) and total offense (476.0 ypg). Collins served as the receivers coach for the Raiders in 2024. In 2023, Collins was on the Indianapolis Colts coaching staff as part of the Tony Dungy Diversity Coaching Fellows. Before this, Collins coached the quarterbacks and wide receivers at his alma mater of Mount Union for three seasons. Collins coached receivers’ offensive skill and return specialists at Marietta in 2019 and served as the manager and head strength and conditioning coach at NST Sports Performance in North Canton, Ohio. Collins was a four-year letter winner with the Purple Raiders, highlighted by an All-American first team selection in 2012. Collins caught 92 passes for 1,694 yards and 22 touchdowns. Collins had 43 receptions for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns, setting new NCAA Division III records to lead Mount Union to OAC conference and national titles. Collins signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and spent time on the practice squad with the Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. Collins played for the Boston Brawlers of th

Kerry Dixon joins head coach Jason Candle's coaching staff with the Huskies as team's wide receivers coach. Dixon coached last season at Kent State in the same capacity. Under Dixon’s guidance, Cade Wolford was named to the All-MAC third team, with 19 receptions for 509 yards and 7 touchdowns. Dixon brings professional experience to the Huskies after two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens where he assisted in developing quarterbacks, including NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Dixon helped coach Jackson to the 2023 MVP after throwing for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns. Jackson ran for 821 yards and five touchdowns as well. Before his time in Baltimore, Dixon coached at Georgia Tech from 2019-2021, coaching future NFL receiver Jalen Camp and freshman standout Ahmarean Brown, who tied Calvin Johnson’s school record for touchdown catches by a freshman. Dixon reconnects with Head Coach Jason Candle, after a year at Toledo in 2018 where he coached the running backs. Dixon coached wide receivers at the University of Florida from 2015-17, where he coached Antonio Callaway and Tyrie Cleveland, two of the first freshmen to record 100-yard receiving games in program history. Dixon was the running backs coach at Florida International (2014), Florida Atlantic (2012-2013) and Montana State (2010-11). He served as the offensive coordinator at Stillman College in 2009, and began his coaching career working with Morgan State and Texas State quarterbacks. Dixon played quarterback at Baylor and Hampton Uni

Marquel Blackwell joins the Huskies in 2026 as the new quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. Blackwell comes to Storrs after spending the last two seasons at South Carolina, coaching the running backs in Columbia. Blackwell coached standout Raheim Sanders to second-team All-SEC Honors, rushing for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns. Blackwell came to Columbia following the 2023 season at Texas A&M. Prior to his time in College Station, Blackwell spent the 2022 season at Ole Miss, helping lead one of the best rushing attacks in the country. The Rebels ranked third in the country, leading the SEC with 256.5 yards per game. Freshman Quinshon Judkins led the SEC and ranked top 10 nationally with 1,565 yards and 16 touchdowns. Blackwell spent three seasons at Houston. In 2019, Blackwell was the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before coaching the running backs in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In 2021, Blackwell saw the Cougar rushing attack improve by 847 yards. Blackwell coached freshman standout Alton McCaskill to a record-setting season, rushing for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns, culminating in winning American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year. Blackwell coached the running backs in West Virginia in 2018. Under Blackwell, the Mountaineers had three different running backs register 100-yard rushing games (Leddie Brown, Kennedy McKoy and Martell Pettaway). Blackwell served as the running backs coach at Toledo under Coach Jason Candle in 2016-17. Blackwell was

Max Wray joins the UConn coaching staff for 2026 and will coach the Husky tight ends. Wray comes to Storrs after three seasons on staff with Coach Candle at Toledo. Wray spent 2025 as assistant offensive line coach after spending the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant for the Rockets. Wray played for three seasons on the offensive line at Ohio State from 2018-20 before enrolling at Colorado in 2021 as a graduate transfer. He played in 11 games in his career as a Buckeye, including a starting assignment vs. Michigan State in 2020. A native of Klamath Falls, Ore., Wray grew up in Tennessee where he was a four-star prospect at Franklin High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Ohio State in 2021.

Mickey Jacobs joins Coach Candle's coaching staff in 2026 as team's linebackers coach. Jacobs joins the Huskies after five seasons at Duquesne, serving as the defensive coordinator for the last two. Jacobs was promoted to defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach in 2024 after the Dukes won the Northeast Conference championship and NCAA FCS playoff appearance as safeties coach and special teams coordinator. Under Jacobs' direction, the Dukes have produced 14 all-conference defensive selections over the past two seasons — the most in any two-year span since Duquesne joined the NEC in 2008. Jacobs was selected to the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in December 2025. In Jacobs’ first season leading the defense, the Dukes produced seven All-NEC selections, including four first-team honorees, and tied for the regular season conference title. Duquesne allowed a league-low 18.3 points per game in conference play and held three opponents to single digits during an eight-game win streak, the program’s longest since 2002. The stretch included a Week 3 victory over No. 21/20 Youngstown State, marking just the second win over a ranked opponent in program history. Jacobs’ unit tallied nine interceptions, 27 sacks, and forced nine fumbles, recovering four, for 13 total takeaways, and scored two defensive touchdowns. The Dukes ranked second in the NEC in both red-zone defense, forcing five turnovers inside the 20 (three interceptions and two on downs), and opponent

FootballSkip AdFiorito, MikeAnderson, JayAtkins, NateBichey, BradBlackwell, MarquelButtermore, BoCampanile, NunzioCandle, JasonCashmore, PatChance, RodCole, NateCollins, JuniorDelCampo, JakeDixon, KerryEly, DarylFiorito, MikeGreen, CorbinGuard, PhillHillyer, BrockJacobs, MickeyJenkins, BrooksKessel, NikKlinec, ChristianLichtenberg, Brady Manalac, RyanMorookian, JohnSchaefer, JoeTaylor, JabariWeiner, RobertWray, Max

Nate Atkins is in his second year at UConn and will fill the role of defensive analyst in 2026. He is primarily responsible for opponent pass protection analysis and opponent-specific pressure planning. He also assists in all aspects of coaching the defensive line and special teams instruction. Prior to joining the Huskies, Atkins was the safeties coach with the Ball State Cardinals, assisting in implementing all aspects of game day preparations. He also served as the academic liaison for the team. In 2023, helped coach a Ball State defense that was 21st in the nation in total defense, 20th in rushing defense, 32nd in passing defense and 30th in third down defense. He was previously at Ball State as a defensive graduate assistant in 2020 before begin promoted to defensive assistant with the defensive backs in 2021 and 2022. He would move on to coach at the University of Dayton for a short stint as linebackers and special teams coordinator before returning to Ball State in the spring of 2023. Atkins began his coaching career as a volunteer defensive assistant at his alma mater William & Mary in the spring of 2020. Atkins graduated from William & Mary in 2019 with a degree in business administration and with a master’s degree in business analytics in 2020. He played for the Tribe and was a two-time captain and four-year starter, logging 44-consecutive starts. He was a five-time academic all-conference player and a 2019 William V. Campbell Trophy national semi-finalist. He also

Assistant Coach Nik Kessel comes to Storrs to serve on Coach Candle's staff as assistant special teams coach in 2026. Kessel coached two seasons at Merrimack College, filing the roles of special teams coordinator, run game coordinator, and linebackers coach. Kessel coached a Merrimack squad to leading the country with six blocked punts in 2025 and 10 over the last two seasons. Under Kessel’s direction, Merrimack punter Mike Ryan set a single-season program record in average punt yardage (42.57). Kessel guided kicker Carlton Thai to a single season program record in points (76), field goals made (17) and a weekly Gold Helmet award. Kessel’s special team unit ranked 16th in net punting (39.90 yards), 30th in punt return defense (5.81 yards) and 43rd in kickoff return defense. In the 2024 season, Kessel was named FCS National Special Teams Coordinator of the Week. Kessel coached Jermaine Corbett who led the nation in kickoff return average (36.1) to First Team All-American honors from Walter Camp, Stats Perform, and Football Central. Kessel also had a player lead the country in blocked punts (3 by Kendal Sims), and allowed zero blocked kicks — finishing #1 in the country in that category. His special teams also ranked #2 nationally in blocked punts (4), #7 in blocked kicks (5), and #8 in team kickoff return average (25.46). Meanwhile, Merrimack’s defense finished the season ranked #12 in total defense, #16 in passing yards allowed, and inside the top 30 nationally in defensive t

Nunzio Campanile comes to UConn for the 2026 season and will be the offensive coordinator for the Huskies. Campanile spent the last three seasons at Syracuse with the previous two years as the offensive associate head coach and quarterbacks coach for the Orange. In his first season working with the quarterbacks in 2024, the Orange broke or tied 24 different program individual and team passing or total offense records (career, season and single-game) and starting quarterback Kyle McCord finished in the top-10 of Heisman Trophy voting after setting a new ACC single-season passing record. Campanile moved into his role on the offense working with the quarterback after spending the 2023 season coaching tight ends. He also served as the Interim Head Coach for the final two games of the 2023 campaign, where he led the Orange to victory over Wake Forest to secure bowl eligibility for the second year in a row. Campanile elevated McCord’s game to see him leave Syracuse as one of the best quarterbacks in Syracuse and ACC history. In his one season with the Orange, he threw for 4,779 yards on 391 completions, with 34 touchdowns. McCord set new single-season records for completions, attempts (592), yards, touchdown passes, total offense (4,714), 300+ yard games (12), passing touchdowns and touchdowns responsible for (37), among other records. His passing yards total led the nation and passed the likes of Deshaun Watson, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, Drake Maye, Jameis Winston and Chris Weinke

Pat Cashmore arrives in Storrs to join the UConn football coaching staff in 2026 as special teams coordinator. Cashmore served in the same capacity at Washington State last season after two seasons at South Dakota State. Under Cashmore’s direction, the Jackrabbits finished second nationally in net punting and punt return defense. Punter Hunter Dustman earned All-MVFC Honorable Mention honors at 44.15 yards per punt. In 2023, Cashmore and SDSU ranked sixth in both punt returns (17.63 yards per attempt) and punt return defense (2.9 yards per attempt) Before stopping at South Dakota State, Cashmore coached three seasons at Pittsburg State (Kansas). Under Cahsmore’s guidance, the Gorillas notched consecutive top-10 showings for kickoff returns, placing sixth in 2022 and tenth in 2021. Cashmore served as special teams coordinator and offensive graduate assistant at Oklahoma State for two seasons from 2018-19. Prior to this, Cashmore was special teams quality control at Toledo in 2016-17 with Head Coach Jason Candle, where the Rockets took home the 2017 MAC Championship. Cashmore coached two all-conference performers on special teams. Cashmore started his coaching career at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska from 2012-2013 as outside linebackers coach before moved on to Iowa Western Community College, where he served as special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. Cashmore played at Drake, where he as a member of the 2011 Pioneer League Championship team. He earned a b

Guard joins the UConn staff in 2026 as an assistant offensive line coach. Guard comes to Storrs after spending the 2025 season at The Citadel as the team's offensive line coach. While at The Citadel, he coached an offensive line unit that finished the Southern Conference (SOCON) in rushing (2,527 yards) 210.6 yards per game and was ninth overall in FCS in rushing. He coached Mike Bartilucci (center) who won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy awarded to the best offensive lineman in the conference. Bartilucci was also a first team AFCA All-American as well as AP All-American. He also coached freshman Brady Pickett (Tackle) who was named a Phil Steele Freshman All-American and a Sports Illustrated Freshman All-American. Guard also had coaching stops with Syracuse, Rutgers, Georgia Southern, St. Lawrence, Mount Union and Albright College. He served as an offensive quality control coach with the Orange as well as an offensive graduate assistant for the Scarlet Knights, primarily working with the offensive line. He has been part of five bowl appearances overall (Boca Raton, Camellia, Cure, New Orleans and Gator), earning a pair of victories along the way. While with Georgia Southern, Guard acted in a variety of roles over the course of four seasons. He first joined the coaching staff as an offensive graduate assistant focusing on the offensive line. In 2019, he was hired as the Eagles’ assistant director of player personnel, a position he held for two seasons, helping with the recruiting

Rober Weiner joins the Huskies as associate head coach and will work with the quarterbacks after coaching with Head Coach Jason Candle at Toledo. Weiner was the interim head coach for the Rockets in the 2025 Boca Raton Bowl of Beans. Weiner served as Toledo’s co-offensive quarterbacks coach for six seasons, beginning in 2020. Weiner coached Tucker Gleason to third-team all-MAC honors in2025 after completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,515 yards and a MAC-leading 21 touchdowns. Gleason threw for 2,808 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2024, compiling an 8-5 record and victory over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. Under Weiner’s direction, Gleason set a new career-high with 336 yards. Weiner coached standout Dequan Finn for over two seasons. In his first full season under center, Finn earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2022, leading the Rockets to a victory in the MAC Championship Game and a win over Liberty in the 2022 Boca Raton Bowl, being named MVP. In 2023, Finn earned All-MAC honors and the Vern Smith Award (MVP). Finn led the league in passing efficiency (151.04), passing yards (2,657), touchdown passes (22) and total offense (247.7). Weiner came to Toledo after 16 seasons as the head coach at Plant High School in Tampa, Florida. Weiner won four state championships, had two runner-up finishes, and 14 consecutive district titles (2005-2018). At Plant, Weiner compiled a record of 172-37-1 with a 42-10 record in playoff games. He was named Florida Dairy Farmer’s All

Roderick Chance comes to Storrs in 2026 as the pass game coordinator and corners coach. Chance coached two seasons at Oregon State in 2024 and 2025. Chance was hired as the Beavers’ secondary coach in 2024 and the co-defensive coordinator in 2025. Under Chance, Skyler Thomas led Oregon State with 81 tackles. Prior to his time at Oregon State, Chance spent one season at Colorado in 2022 as the cornerbacks coach, where the Buffs totaled six interceptions and 33 total passes defended. In 2020 and 2021, Chance served as the cornerbacks coach at Oregon. Chance helped lead the Ducks to a 2020 Alamo Bowl appearance and a 2021 Fiesta Bowl berth. During his time in Eugene, the Ducks went 14-7, winning the Pac-12 in 2020. Chance coached four defensive backs that were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft (Deommodore Lenior, Thomas Graham Jr., Jevon Holland and Brady Breeze. Chance returned to Eugene for a second stint after working with the team’s secondary in 2018. Chance served as the cornerbacks coach for Minnesota in 2019, with the Golden Gophers ending the season 11-2 and winning the Outback Bowl. Under Chance’s direction, Minnesota finished ninth nationally against the pass, highlighted by Coney Durr and Benjamin St-Juste earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Chance spent two seasons at Southern Utah as the defensive coordinator, with eleven different players earning all-conference honors during his tenure. Chance came to Southern Utah after three seasons at Vanderbilt where he

Ryan Manalac comes to UConn for the 2026 season and will be the Huskies defensive coordinator on head coach Jason Candle’s staff. Manalac, a former standout collegiate linebacker at Cincinnati, spent the last five seasons at Pittsburgh as linebackers coach. Manalac’s arrival at Pitt served as a reunion with head coach Pat Narduzzi as the pair previously worked together when Narduzzi was defensive coordinator at Cincinnati and Michigan State. Manalac’s linebacker unit has been instrumental for a Pitt defense that annually ranks among the nation’s stingiest. He has also produced some highly productive and decorated individual players. In 2024, Manalac helped guide linebacker Kyle Louis to arguably the nation’s most versatile defensive campaign of the year. Louis became the first sophomore defensive player at Pitt to earn First Team All-America since the legendary Hugh Green in 1978. He totaled 105 tackles, four interceptions, a forced fumble, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 27 pressures and nine QB hurries—a stat line that has only been recorded one other time in college football over the last decade. Additionally, linebacker Rasheem Biles totaled 77 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception (returned for a touchdown) in the regular season, with his average of 1.3 TFLs per game ranking 10th nationally. Biles was selected All-ACC (second team by Associated Press and third team by conference voting panel). Moreover, Manalac saw linebacker Brandon George earn

Tayler Riddick begins her fourth season as a full-time assistant on the UConn football staff in 2025. Riddick has various roles with the UConn program since ...