Defensive coordinator Ted Florio and linebacker coach Harvey Silberbush were relieved from their respective positions earlier this week.

Florio and Silberbush were the conductors of a defense that has relinquished a season average of 581 yards per game, which ranks last in the Northeast-10. Pace has relinquished more than 40 points in every game they have played in 2012.

According to senior political science major Lamar Francis, the students were informed of the decision on Mon. afternoon at a brief team meeting. Members on the Setters defense were surprised to learn of the departure of their coaches. Sophomore biology major Christopher Archibal admits to being taken aback by the news.

“I was pretty shocked,” Archibal said. “I just got back in my room when someone on the team told me, they are two good people and I’m sad to see them go.”

Pace athletic department released a statement on Tues.  regarding the dismissals of both coaches.

“The Athletic Department reports that two of the football coaches have been relieved of their coaching duties because the University has decided that a different defensive approach is needed at this time.  A permanent solution is being explored. The remaining coaching staff is not available to comment at this time as they prepare for their next game this Saturday at Saint Anselm.”

This time two years ago, Florio was the special teams coordinator for the Hawks of Saint Anselm College. In his first season spearheading the Setters defense, Florio’s group gave up a combined average of 46 points per contest. This season, Florio’s defense has been giving up an average of 52 points per game and has yet to record an interception.

Silberbush was the ironclad presence on the defensive sidelines for 44 years at various schools. The Bronx native first made an appearance at Pace during the 1998 season as the team’s defensive coordinator. Silberbush was in his second year as the Setters linebacker coach before being relieved of his duties.

Still, this midseason adjustment is not lost on the young men on the team. According to Archibal, both coaches had earned the blessings of the student athletes.

“I respected them a lot,” Archibal said. “They cared about the players; they would always ask us how our days were going. They treated us like family.”

With both Florio and Silberbush gone, the Setters have only defensive backs Coach Marcus McLain and defensive line coach Javon Hubbard running the defense. Francis said that Setters head coach Chris Dapolito will help out with the defensive play calling duties.

The Setters took on the Hawks of Saint Anselm in their first game without Florio and Silberbush on Saturday.