In the wake of a winless foot- ball season, Pace Athletics has announced that the football pro- gram will be undergoing changes for the upcoming year.
Pace Athletics Director Mark Brown announced on Nov. 22 that Chris Dapolito will no longer serve as the head football coach for the Setters.
“Institutionally, the decision was made necessary,” Brown said. “With the campus consolidation project, there is an interest in getting the best football pro- gram we can have.”
Prior to being promoted to head coach in February 2010, Dapolito served two years as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. According to his biography found on the Pace Athletics site, he “has been able to assemble one of the finest coaching staffs in Division II football that includes former players and coaches at every level of football” while also holding the title as one of the youngest head coaches in the country.
Despite his credentials, as head coach, he was only able to lead the Setters to one winning game during the four seasons he led the football program. Pace announced that a national search for the new head coach has be- gun and will be expecting a large turnout of applicants.
“When you go into those things you never know what type of pool you are going to attract,” said Brown, who has already received well over 25 applications. “I would hope the pool produces quality candidates that have head coaching experience, specifically division two head coaching experience.”
Brown feels another factor plays an important role in the selection of the new head coach; having someone familiar and known to the area. Brown hopes for a smooth transition and is expecting to get the new coach by about mid-January.
“I think what happened in the past is important to acknowledge, I don’t like dwelling on the past from an institutional perspective, it is good for the students,” Brown said. “I feel like we made so much progress on issues surrounding the field. We just need to find the right head coach and coaching staff.”
Along with the new head coach, the football program is expected to also see changes in the recruitment and coaching staff.
“The head football coach will come to Pace with a specific strategy and skill set and will surround himself with a staff that will help him concentrate on each area,” said Brown, explaining the reason changes are expected. “The recruitment strategy will definitely change.”
Brown feels optimistic that the program will attract some great candidates. He would also like to bring three to four candidates to the campus so they can meet some of his constituents; so it can be a more rounded decision.
“We have a tremendous team, from all the assistant athletic directors and coaches. We just have to keep the perspective focus on moving forward. We are gaining more momentum,” Brown said. “I know we can have a competitive football pro- gram, but we haven’t had enough success on the field to maintain a status quo.”
Even with the football’s win- less performance this past sea- son, Brown feels confident that Pace will see an improvement both on and off the field
“I would like to have, and we will have, a football program that the entire campus will be proud of. I am convinced with every fiber of my being we will put a football program to keep students here on the weekends by providing a variety of programs,” Brown said. Not only does the athletics department feel confident with the recent change in leadership, but some of the football players themselves also feel it was the right move.
“I think this coaching change is good for our team. I think we needed a change because it just wasn’t working for us,” Setter’s quarterback and criminal science major Brian Beeker said. “I think getting a new coaching staff and a whole new athletic facility will change the culture around here for the better. [With the recent changes in coaching for basket- ball and lacrosse] I wasn’t quite sure if the coaches [for foot- ball] would change. But I think the team is very excited for this change and hopefully this will turn the program around.”