[Kutztown Football] KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY NAMES RAYMOND MONICA HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Wed Mar 15 14:50:45 EST 2006

March 15, 2006

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY NAMES RAYMOND MONICA HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

KUTZTOWN, PA - Raymond Monica has been named Kutztown University's head football coach, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Greg Bamberger.

            Monica replaces Dave Keeny, whose contract was not renewed following the 2005 season.  Monica is the 14th head football coach at Kutztown since 1927.  He will begin his duties at Kutztown on Monday, March 20.

            "We feel very fortunate to be able to attract a coach of Ray's talent and experience to Kutztown University," Bamberger said.  "He brings to us a tremendous knowledge of the game, combined with a great energy and attitude."

            Monica, 39, comes to Kutztown after serving as defensive coordinator at Division I-A Temple University for the past eight seasons, including the last seven as assistant head coach.  During his tenure at Temple, Monica also guided the inside linebackers and defensive line.  

            Prior to Temple, Monica coached for nine seasons at the University of North Alabama, during which time the Lions won three NCAA Division II national championships from 1993-95.

            "I wish to thank President [Javier] Cevallos, Dr. [Chick] Woodard, Greg Bamberger and the search committee for providing me the opportunity to be the head football coach at Kutztown University," Monica said.  "This is a great opportunity, at a great university in a great location.  I felt right at home and was very comfortable during the interview process.  Kutztown is a school with a rich tradition in academics and athletics.  I am looking forward to meeting the people in the community and becoming a part of a wonderful family at KU."

            A native of Garyville, La., Monica is a graduate of East St. John's High School in Reserve, La.  He enrolled at Nicholls State University in 1985.  After one season with the Colonels, he transferred to Northeast Mississippi Junior College, where he played quarterback and earned all-state honors for two seasons.  He signed with Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and went through spring drills, before a back injury ended his playing career. 

            Monica began his coaching career as a student assistant coach, guiding the running backs at Northeast Mississippi Junior College in 1988.  He moved on to North Alabama in 1989.  There, he coached the running backs while completing his bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation, which he received in 1990.

            Monica served as defensive line coach at North Alabama from 1992-97.  In 1993, UNA's defense ranked in the top four nationally in pass defense, total defense, rush defense and scoring defense.  North Alabama won its first Division II national championship that season.  The 1994 season brought the second-straight national championship, and the Lion defense finished second nationally in all four defensive categories.  In 1995, the Lions won their third-straight NCAA title.  The UNA defensive front produced three All-Americans and two National Football League draft choices, while leading Division II in both rushing defense and scoring defense.    During the three-year championship run, Northern Alabama's football team posted a remarkable record of 41-1.

            At Temple, Monica was hailed as one of the top assistant coaches in college football.  In Sports Illustrated's 2003 College Football Preview, Monica was cited as one of college football's seven "Wise Guides."  The article praised him as "the best in the nation at getting ordinary players to do extraordinary things."  The accolade came after the Owl defense was recognized as one of only eight in the country to finish in the top 20 in total defense in both 2001 and 2002.  Temple's defense ranked 19th nationally, allowing just 312.6 total yards per game in 2001.  The success was recognized in the post season, when Monica and then Temple head coach Bobby Wallace directed the Blue defense in the 2001 Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic.  In 2002, the Owl defense ranked 18th nationally, allowing 315.7 total yards per contest.  

            Monica mentored several future NFL players while at Temple, including 2002 Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-America DT Dan Klecko, DE Raheem Brock, DT Russell Newman, DE Calvin Wilkinson, and All-America LB Rian Wallace.  

            "We are interested in a coach who possesses qualities and a leadership style that influence the character of student-athletes both on the competitive field and in the community-a coach who models integrity, respect, honesty, concern, open communication and core values consistent with those adopted by the University," said Dr. Chick Woodard, vice president for student services and campus life.  "I believe Ray Monica brings those qualities and more to this important position.  I look forward to many productive years working with him." 

            Kutztown University competes at the NCAA Division II level in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division.  The Golden Bears' 2006 season is tentatively scheduled to begin on Sept. 9 vs. Clarion, although a game on Sept. 2 may still be added to the schedule.

            "Kutztown is a university that is growing and moving forward.  I'm excited to get the football program headed in the same direction,"  Monica said.  "We want to compete for the PSAC East championship and get into the Division II playoffs.  We want to be a physical football team and be talented in all aspects of the game - offense, defense and special teams."

            Monica and his wife, Linda, have three children - Ray (12), Lindsey (8) and Austin (1).  They currently reside in South Jersey.

Raymond Monica Coaching History

1988.......... Running backs at Northeast Mississippi Community College

1989-91...... Running backs, select special teams units at North Alabama

1992-97...... Recruiting Coordinator, Defensive Line, select special teams units at North Alabama

1998.......... Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line, select special teams units at Temple University

1999.......... Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line, select special teams units at Temple

2000-03...... Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers, select special teams units at Temple

2004.......... Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, select special teams units at Temple

2005.......... Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator at Temple

Kutztown University's Head Football Coaches (since 1927)

Coach (Years)..................... Seasons    Overall   Pct.         PSAC   Pct.

Charles Vibberts (1927).................... 1           1-4   .200

John Bowman (1928)....................... 1           2-3   .400 

Earnest Slessinger (1929-34)............ 6      9-26-2   .257

Jim McGovern (1935-43).................. 9     25-28-4   .473

Walt Risley (1946)........................... 1           3-4   .429 

Joe Patton (1947-59)...................... 13    43-49-9   .470

Bud Heilman (1960-65)..................... 6    16-31-1   .344       10-24-1   .300

Bob Kinderman (1966-71)................. 6    19-28-2   .398       16-29-1   .458

Bob Mazey (1972)............................ 1          3-6   .333             3-3   .500

George Baldwin (1973-83, 85-87)..... 14    61-71-3   .463       39-38-1   .506

Barry Fetterman (1988-92)................ 5    18-32-1   .363            9-21   .300

Al Leonzi (1984, 93-97)..................... 6    25-35-1   .418       14-21-1   .403

Dave Keeny (1998-05)...................... 8       38-45   .458          23-25   .479

Raymond Monica (2006- )

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Josh Leiboff
Kutztown University Sports Information
Phone: (610) 683-4182
Fax: (610) 683-4676
Email: leiboff at kutztown.edu
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