Fordham University Men's Football

All-Patriot League Performers Under Asselta   2024 2023 2022  Julius Loughridge, RB - First Team  Cody Johnson, OL - Second Team   CJ Montes - Second Team     Dequece Carter, WR - First Team   Fotis Kokosioulis, WR - First Team   MJ Wright, WR - Second Team   Makie Felton, WR - Second Team 2021 2020-21  Dequece Carter, WR - First Team  Fotis Kokosioulis, WR - First Team  MJ Wright, WR - Second Team  Dequece Carter, WR - First Team  Fotis Kokosioulis, WR - First Team  MJ Wright, WR - Second Team Art Asselta, former assistant coach at Yale University, was named assistant football coach at Fordham University in February of 2020. He was promoted to associate head coach in the spring of 2021 and to offensive coordinator in 2023. He will also be responsible for the Fordham quarterbacks for the fourth straight year in 2026 after leading the wide receivers the previous three years. In 2023, the Fordham offense fired on all cylinders, led by the passing game which led the Patriot League and ranked 12th in the NCAA FCS in passing yards/game (275.6) and was second in the League and 13th in the nation in total offense (428.0 yards/game). Fordham also finished second in the Patriot League and 27th in the NCAA in scoring (30.5 points/game). The 2023 Fordham offense was led by quarterback CJ Montes, a Second Team All-Patriot League selection, who completed 241 of 376 passes for 3,000 yards with 26 touchdowns and just one interception. Montes led the Patriot League in passing yards/game (272.7), passing yards, and passing touchdowns, ranking eighth in the NCAA FCS in passing touchdowns and ninth in passing yards/game. In 2022, Asselta was part of a Fordham offense that generated record-setting numbers. The Rams led the NCAA FCS in total offense (608.9 yards/game) and passing offense (413.8 yards/game) and ranked second in scoring offense (49.5).   Senior quarterback Tim DeMorat, who set numerous Fordham and Patriot League single season and career records, finished second in voting for the 2022 Walter Payton Award, presented to the NCAA FCS Offensive Player of the Year.   DeMorat also earned All-America honors along with senior wide receiver Fotis Kokosioulis, who set the school record with 103 receptions for 1,312 receiving yards, third-best all-time at Fordham. He was one of three Fordham receivers to record more than 1,000 passing yards in a season last year, joining Dequece Carter and MJ Wright), with all three earning All-Patriot League honors. In 2021, Asselta's wide receivers were a big reason the Rams led the Patriot League and ranked eleventh in the NCAA FCS in passing offense (296.7 yards/game) and led the League and ranked 12th in the NCAA FCS in total offense (447.5 yards/game). Fordham also ranked second in the PL and 18th in the NCAA FCS in scoring offense (33.6 points/game). Leading the 2021 Fordham passing game were wide receivers Dequece Carter and Fotis Kokosioulis, both First Team All-Patriot League selection, and MJ Wright, a second team All-League pick. In his first year on Rose Hill, Asselta helped the Rams to a 2-1 record in the 2020-2021 spring season. The Fordham offense led the Patriot League and ranked 17th in the NCAA FCS in scoring, averaging 31.7 points/game, and also led the League and was 14th in the NCAA FCS in total offense (433.3 yards/game). The Rams offense was tops in the Patriot League and sixth in the NCAA FCS in passing offense (349.7 yards/game). Carter and Kokosoioulis were named first team All-Patriot League and Wright was placed on the second team.   Asselta arrived at Fordham after spending six years as the wide receivers coach at Yale University, including five as the recruiting coordinator. Additionally he served as the pass game coordinator for the Bulldogs in his final two years in New Haven. The Bulldogs won the 2019 Ivy League title with two wide receivers and quarterback Kurt Rawlings earning first team All-Ivy honors. Rawlings was also named the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year and the New England Football Writers Player of the Year.   At Yale, Asselta mentored five of the most prolific receivers in the history of the program, including Deon Randall ’14, Grant Wallace ’15, Christopher Williams-Lopez ’17, Reed Klubnik ’20, and JP Shohfi ’20. He helped Klubnik and Shohfi earn all-league honors in 2018 and 2019 after coaching All-Ivy selections Michael Siragusa and Williams-Lopez in 2017 during an Ivy League Championship campaign.   His first (2014) campaign with the Blue produced big numbers. His receivers helped Yale lead the nation in total offense while Wallace led the FCS in yards per game.   Prior to Yale, Asselta served as an assistant coach at McNeese State in 2013, helping the Cowboy offense rank seventh in FCS scoring (40.0) and 17th in total offense (451.0). McNeese State ranked eleventh in the NCAA FCS, going 10-3 and making the 2013 NCAA Playoffs. His pupil, Cody Stroud, who threw 28 TD passes, was Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year.   At the University of New Hampshire in 2012, Asselta mentored the receivers and the pass game as the No. 13 Wildcats reached the NCAA Quarterfinals.   Asselta served as an assistant at Southeastern Louisiana in 2010 and 2011. A pair of Lions signal-callers, Tyler Beatty and Brian Young, grabbed spots in the school record books under Asselta. Beatty, as a first-year starter in 2010, posted the eighth-best total in passing yards (1,738 yards) while finishing his career sixth in passing yards (2,328) and completions (188). Young succeeded Beatty in 2011 and posted the third-highest single-season total in passing yards (2,855 yards) while finishing third in career passing yards (3,867) and completions (332).      Asselta also spent six seasons as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks/receivers coach at Sacred Heart University. Under his tutelage, Dale Fink became the most prolific passer in school history and he coached SHU’s three-time All-Northeast Conference receiver Steve Tedesco. Tedesco led the league in receiving with 67 receptions for 865 yards as a senior and holds school records for career receptions (229), career receiving yards (2,848), career touchdowns scored (37), career receiving touchdowns (37), receptions in a season (77), TD catches in a game (4) and catches in a game (12). Asselta coached the running backs in his first year at SHU and helped Ed Priccolo become the school’s all-time rushing and TD leader.      Before joining SHU, Asselta worked as a graduate assistant and running backs coach at Louisiana-Monroe, where he coached the first 1,000-yard rusher for the Warhawks since their move to the NCAA FBS.      Asselta earned a 1999 degree in marketing from Hofstra where he was twice named conference player of the week as a quarterback for the Pride. He holds a graduate degree from Stony Brook University and worked as a graduate assistant for the Seawolves for one season.      He and his wife, the former Jessica Andrews, have a daughter, Alexis, and a son, Ayden.

All-Patriot League Performers Under Lenahan   2024 2023 2022  Will Haslett, P - First Team  Nahil Perkins, DB - First Team  Brandon Peskin, PK - First Team  Brandon Peskin, PK - Second  Stephen Williams II, DB - Second 2020-21 2018  Trey Sneed, RB - First Team  Glenn Cunningham, LB - First Team James Lenahan begins his ninth year on the Fordham staff in 2026. After serving on the defensive side of the ball his first two years, he moved over to the offensive side in 2020, coaching the Rams' running backs. In 2021 he moved back to the defense, overseeing the Fordham cornerbacks for two years before moving to the safeties for 2024. Last fall, Fordham ranked second in the Patriot League and was tied for tenth in the country with three defensive touchdowns and was second in the league on both first downs defense and red zone defense. In 2023, the Fordham defense ranked second in the Patriot League in scoring defense and rushing defense. Cornerback Nahil Perkins, a First Team All-Patriot League pick, was instrumental with the Rams' defense, leading the League and ranking fourth in the NCAA FCS in passes defended (1.5/game). On special teams, the Rams led the Patriot League in net punting (37.7) and blocked punts (3) and second in punt return defense (5.14). The Fordham placekicking chores were handled by Brandon Peskin, a First Team All-Patriot League selection, who led the Patriot League and was 15th in the NCAA FCS infield goals/game (1.27) and field goal percentage (0.824). In 2023, the Fordham corners helped the Rams ranked third in the Patriot League with 12 interceptions, led by three from Stephen Williams II, a Second Team All-Patriot League pick, and two from freshman Alex Kemper. The 2022 Fordham special teams also enjoyed a solid season, leading the Patriot League and ranking fifth in the NCAA FCS in net punting (40.20) while also third in the league in punt return defense. Placekicker Brandon Peskin, a Second Team All-Patriot League selection, set a school record with 76 PATs and he ranked second in the Patriot League in field goals/game (0.7). In 2021, the Fordham cornerbacks helped the Rams rank third in the Patriot League in interceptions with seven.   In 2020-2021, the Fordham running backs helped the Rams lead the Patriot League and rank 17th in the NCAA FCS in scoring, averaging 31.7 points/game. The 2020-2021 Fordham offense also led the League and was 14th in the NCAA FCS in total offense (433.3 yards/game) while senior running back Trey Sneed earned First Team All-Patriot League honors. Lenahan joined the Fordham football staff in March of 2018 first coaching the inside linebackers in 2018, and then guiding the safeties in 2019. In 2019, the Fordham defense ranked third in the Patriot League in interceptions, with senior free safety James Bigg-Frazier leading the way with two. In 2018, Lenahan's linebackers helped the Rams led the Patriot League and rank 20th in the NCAA FCS in tackles for loss with 7.5/game. He also saw one of his student-athletes, Glenn Cunningham, earn First Team All-Patriot League accolades after setting a school record with 21.5 tackles for loss. Lenahan arrived at Fordham after serving as the Defensive Assistant/Assistant Defensive Line Coach at Yale in 2017, where he worked with Fordham head coach Joe Conlin and Fordham defensive coordinator Paul Rice.  At Yale he was responsible for weekly full opponent film breakdown, assisting the defensive line coach during individual periods, creating and editing the defensive playbook and new installations and assisting the defensive coordinator in drawing all scout cards and running the scout team during practice.   Prior to his stay in New Haven, Lenahan was a graduate assistant coach at Utica College in 2015 and 2016, guiding the cornerbacks in his first year with the Pioneers and the outside linebackers during his second. He handled daily positional meetings and structured individual periods during practice, and assisted the defensive coordinator with defensive pass game schematics based on weekly opponents. Lenahan also was responsible for weekly opponent breakdowns with other graduate assistants and assisting on all aspects of special teams in accordance to the head coach. He also served as the junior varsity defensive coordinator/head coach in 2016.   A 2015 graduate of Utica College where he received a degree in cyber security, Lenahan was a three-year starter for the Pioneers. He was named to the Empire 8 All-Conference Team in 2013 and 2014 and was voted defensive player of the year by his coaches and teammates in 2012. He holds school career records for most interception return yards (172) and interceptions/game while his six interceptions in 2014 is the second best single-season total at Utica.

Pushaun Brown was named an assistant football coach at Fordham in February of 2026. He will be in charge of the Rams’ running backs in 2026.   Brown comes to Fordham after serving as an assistant football coach at the University of Maine from 2022-2025. He began his tenure with the Black Bears coaching the running backs and added the roles of assistant special teams coordinator and pro liaison in 2024.   At Maine, Brown led the Black Bears’ running backs to numerous national and conference awards. Most recently Rashawn Marshall was named a 2025 Phil Steele Freshman All-American and Sincere Baines was a 2025 CAA All-Conference selection. That season Maine had four running backs average over five yards per carry.   The 2025 Maine squad also featured Trevin Ewing, Maine’s all-time kick returner, who earned All-America and All-Conference accolades as a kick returner as well as Scott Woods, an All-Conference punt returner. Brown played running back for Maine from 2008-11 where he led the Black Bears in rushing in both 2010 and 2011. Brown ended his career at Maine after appearing in 43 games while rushing for 2,213 yards on 468 carries with 20 touchdowns. Brown also added 44 receptions for 315 yards with three touchdowns in his career. Brown was a member of Maine's 2011 team which earned an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs before defeating Appalachian State in the second round. Brown earned All-CAA recognition in 2010-11, was the team's offensive player of the year in 2011, and was voted the team's offensive captain in 2011. Brown, a native of North Brunswick, N.J., participated in New York Jets training camp in 2012 before beginning his coaching career as the run game coordinator for the Stuttgart Scorpions in Stuttgart, Germany. With Stuttgart, Brown mentored a unit which produced the second best rushing attack in the GFL. Following his stint in Germany, Brown returned to the United States where he served as an assistant football coach at James J. Ferris High School from 2014-16. At James J. Ferris, Brown served as the team's offensive coordinator. Brown moved on to serve as the offensive coordinator at North Brunswick Township High School from 2017 through the 2021 season. Brown earned his Bachelors of Science in Child Development & Family Interactions with a minor in Kinesiology and Physical Education from UMaine in 2012 before obtaining his Masters of Science in Sport Management - Athletic Administration from Liberty University in 2018.

Steven Ciocci, who was a member of the Bryant University football staff the previous six years, was named an assistant coach at Fordham in February of 2025. He will be in charge of the Rams’ offensive line in 2026.   At Bryant, Ciocci served as the offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and the recruiting coordinator for the Bulldogs. In 2023, the offensive line helped the Bulldogs average 383.9, the third consecutive season of 350+ ypg of total offense. Jamichael Watts was named to the Big South-OVC Second Team. Bryant was second in the conference and 34th in the country in sacks, allowing 1.55 per game.   Bryant's offensive line enjoyed a great year in 2022, helping the Bulldogs set a school record with 429.0 yards of total offense per game. Bryant also averaged 33.3 ppg, the second-highest average in school history, and Jamichael Watts earned Big South Second Team honors.   Ciocci's offensive line shined in the fall of 2021, helping the Bulldogs lead the league with 30.0 ppg and finish 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the NEC. Under his tutelage, Mike Andrejco earned All-NEC First Team honors, while Trevor Smith took home All-NEC Second Team honors. Bryant averaged 151.5 yards per game on the ground and the offensive line allowed just 1.45 sacks per game.   In the spring of 2021, Ciocci helped the Bulldogs' running game regain its characteristic dominance. Ciocci's offensive line paved the way for Daniel Adeboboye to rank seventh nationally with 109.8 yards per game on the ground. It is the first time a Bryant running back had averaged over 100 yards since 2015.    In 2018 Ciocci served as the assistant offensive line coach (GA) at Florida International. He was part of a staff that led the Panthers to a program-record nine wins, including a victory in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. Four FIU offensive linemen earned All-CUSA honors while the group finished third nationally in sacks allowed (8) and fourth in TFLs allowed.   Prior to FIU, Ciocci spent two seasons as the defensive line coach, co-special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, Wagner College. Under Ciocci’s watch, defensive lineman Jordan Baskerville earned All-NEC First Team honors.   Ciocci’s coaching career began shortly after his playing career ended in December of 2012. He began his time at Wagner as an assistant offensive line coach before being promoted to tackles and tight end coach. Ciocci oversaw the development of Bryant Watts into an All-NEC First Team tight end and was on the staff that helped the Seahawks claim a share of the 2014 NEC title.   As a player, Ciocci appeared in 43 games and made 35 starts at Wagner. He earned All-NEC First Team honors in 2012 after paving the way for a pair of All-NEC performers in the backfield. Ciocci was just as good off the field as he was on it, earning a spot on the NEC Academic Honor Roll three-straight years. He was also named the NEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Student-Athlete of the Year. In addition, Ciocci was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star team. He helped Wagner claim the 2012 NEC title and earn the league’s first victory in the FCS Playoffs.   A native of Royersford, Pennsylvania, Ciocci received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management in 2012 and an MBA in 2014 from Wagner.

Trent Kauffman, a member of the Wake Forest football staff in 2024, was named a Defensive Quality Control coach at Fordham in February of 2025.   At Wake Forest in 2024 Kauffman served as the Recruiting, Player Personnel and DL/Special Teams Assistant. He was responsible for creating weekly Special Teams scouting reports directly distributed to the special teams coach and head coach and contributed to Punt Pressure/Return Plan creation weekly. Kauffman managed a three-man operation tasked with all special teams identification, tagging, and organizing for scouting purposes as well as conducting defensive end drill instruction during Indy periods throughout season.   Prior to his year at Wake Forest, Kauffman was a member of the football staff at Ashland University where he had multiple responsibilities including Defensive Graduate Assistant, Kickoff/Punt Block Coordinator, and Interim Corners Coach. He worked directly under Former Division 1 Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Tim Rose, helping the Eagles to the 2022 GMAC Championship. Ashland advanced to the second round of the 2022 NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Eagle defense was the top unit in the GMAC and ranked ninth in the nation.   A 2022 graduate of Ashland University where he earned  degree in Education, Kauffman went on to earn a master’s degree in Business Administration from the school in 2023. As an undergraduate he was a member of the track and field program, earning Academic All-Conference honors.

Ben Mason was named an assistant football coach at Fordham in January of 2026. He will be in charge of the Fordham tight ends in 2026.   Mason comes to Rose Hill after serving as the tight ends and running back coach and co-special team coordinator at Ithaca College in 2025, guiding sophomore running back Chris Scully to Second-Team All-Liberty League recognition. He operated from the booth on game day, relaying defensive looks, situational insights and suggestions to the offensive coordinator to support play-calling decisions. On special team Mason coordinated the kickoff and kickoff return units.   Prior to his stint at Ithaca, Mason served as an offensive analyst and assistant running backs coach at Army West Point in 2024. He assisted an offensive unit that finished #1 in the nation for rushing by assisting in practice planning, scouting reports for upcoming opponents, and working closely with the offensive staff in preparation for each week. Mason was a member of the Independence Bowl and AAC Championship coaching staff.   A native of Connecticut, Mason was a USA Today Parade All-America, the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, and Walter Camp Connecticut High School Football Player of the Year at Newtown High School. He played collegiately at the University of Michigan where he graduated with a degree Business Administration with a concentration in Operations and Marketing. At Michigan, Mason was elected team captain his senior year and was voted the “Toughest Player of the Year” in 2017 & 2019. He earned All-Big Ten honors three times and was the recipient of the inaugural “Lowman Trophy” for the best fullback in college football.   Following graduation from Michigan. Mason was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth Round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played for the Ravens from 2021-24 and was a member of the 2023 AFC North Championship Team. Benson was also a member of the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Los Angles Chargers.

All-Patriot League Performers Under Petrarca   2023  MJ Wright, WR - First Team  Garrett Cody, WR - Second Team Jake Petrarca was named an assistant football coach at Fordham University in March of 2023 and is entering his fourth year instructing the Ram wide receivers in 2026. In 2023, the Rams saw wide receiver M.J. Wright finish second in the Patriot League and 15th in the country with 970 receiving yards on 65 receptions that included seven touchdowns. Wright was named First Team All-Patriot League and closed out his career sixth on the Fordham receptions and receiving yards lists. Fellow All-Patriot League performer Garrett Cody (Second Team) finished fourth in the PL with 856 yards on 54 catches and another seven touchdowns. Mekai Felton would lead the team and finish tied for second in the PL and tied for 15th in the country with eight touchdown receptions as well. Petrarca arrived in the Bronx after four years at the University of Connecticut as an analyst working with the Quarterbacks. There he built scouting reports and personnel breakdowns for all opponents along with film breakdown and helping design offensive game plans. He also worked with wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs both in and out of season. In 2022, UConn became bowl eligible for the first time since 2015 with Freshman QB Zion Turner playing in all 13 games, starting 12. Zion had the most wins in a single season (6) by a true freshman QB in UConn’s history.   Prior to UConn, Petrarca coached at Stonehill College from 2016-2018. He started with the wide receivers in 2016 and was elevated to instruct the quarterbacks from 2017 up through the 2018 season. Along with his responsibilities coaching QBs, he was the recruiting coordinator during the same time period. In 2016, NE-10 ROTY WR Andrew Jamiel led the country in DII receptions per game. In 2017, QB Matt Foltz set several season and career passing records for the Skyhawks.   Petrarca went to Stonehill after coaching at Anna Maria College from 2014-2016. While there, he coached the wide receivers (2014-2015) and quarterbacks (2016). Petrarca also served as the team’s video coordinator from 2015-2016. Petrarca had a pair of All-ECFC selections at WR in his time in Paxton.   Petrarca started his coaching career as an assistant football coach at West Warwick High School in 2013 and helped guide the team to a 2013 RIIL State Championship.   A 2012 graduate of Salve Regina University Petrarca was a four-year letter winner for the Seahawks, playing for current JMU and former Holy Cross HC Bob Chesney. Jake resides in West Harrison with his wife, Brittany.

Diamond Weaver, an assistant football coach at UAlbany in 2025, was named an assistant football coach at Fordham in January of 2026. He will be leading the Fordham cornerbacks in 2026.   Weaver coached the safety and nickel positions for the Great Danes in 2025, emphasizing leverage, eye discipline, and communication. He assisted the defensive coordinator in weekly opponent breakdown, coverage adjustments, and game-plan strategy and supported the installation of defensive playbook terminology, concepts, and weekly personnel packages. Prior to joining the Great Danes’ staff, Weaver served many different roles. He was the defensive Backs/KR coach at Rochester Community and Technical College in 2013, running backs/cornerbacks coach at Rhode Island (2014-15), wide receivers coach at Pace (2016), defensive backs coach with the Green Bay Blizzard (IFL) (2017), cornerbacks coach at Maine (2018), cornerbacks coach at Stony Brook (2019-2023) and the defensive backs coach at Edinboro (2024).   While at Maine in 2018, he led the cornerback unit for a defense that ranked #1 in CAA total defense and assisted in leading a secondary ranked #1 in CAA pass efficiency defense and a unit that was Top-6 nationally in interceptions. As a player, Weaver began his collegiate career at Santa Rosa Junior College, earning all-conference marks as a defensive back while being honored as the school's Scholar-Athlete of the Year. After his time at Santa Rosa, he transferred to Akron.   Weaver went on to play professionally in the NFL, the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Arena Football League (AFL) and the IFL. Weaver graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in Communications.

Former Ram All-America linebacker Ryan Greenhagen was named an assistant football coach at Fordham University in June of 2024. Greenhagen will be in charge of the outside linebackers in 2025. Last year, the Fordham defense lead the Patriot League and was tied for tenth in the country with three defensive touchdowns and was second in the league on both first downs defense and red zone defense.  Fordham also led the Patriot League and was 34th in the nation in tackles for loss (6.2/game). Senior linebacker Mike Courtney led the Rams in tackles and was named Second Team All-Patriot League.   Greenhagen capped his Fordham career in 2022 by being named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Award, aka the Academic Heisman, as well as being named CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America® and the Patriot League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He was a two-time Buck Buchanan Award finalist, presented to the top NCAA FCS defensive and he graduated as Fordham’s all-time leading tackler with 424 total stops as well as number one on the career solo tackles list with 247.   Greenhagen was named the 2020-2021 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and the following fall he set an NCAA record with 31 total tackles at the University of Nebraska.   Following his storied career at Fordham, Greenhagen was invited by the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns rookie minicamps before being signed by the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL in June of 2023 and he played a key role leading multiple special teams units for the Stars.   Greenhagen also began his coaching career following graduation, serving as an assistant coach at his high school alma mater, Pope John XXIII in Sparta, N.J. He was involved with opponent scouting, strategizing a game plan, and teaching players technique and football insights as well as educating, motivating, and leading the student-athletes both on and off the field.   Greenhagen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Business Law from Fordham in February of 2022 and a Master of Science degree in Business Analytics from the Gabelli School of Business in February of 2023.  

Vincent DiGaetano enters his sixth season as the volunteer defensive and special teams quality control assistant coach at Fordham in 2025. Prior to Fordham, DiGaetano served as head coach at New York Maritime in 2018, leading the Privateers to a 7-4 mark and a berth in the New England Bowl. DiGaetano originally started his Fordham career in the spring and summer of 2018 when he served as volunteer special teams quality control assistant coach before leaving for New York Maritime. A veteran coach, DiGaetano served for two years at Wagner College where he served as a defensive assistant, having previously worked on the defensive side of the ball for several football programs within the New York City metropolitan area.   Prior to his stint at Wagner, DiGaetano was the linebackers coach at Nassau Community College in 2015, having previously spent ten years on the staff at SUNY-Maritime. From 2008-2014, the 1999 Wagner College graduate served as defensive coordinator for the Privateers, which followed a three-year stint (2005-07) where he served as special teams coordinator at SUNY-Maritime from 2005-07.    Prior to Maritime, DiGaetano spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, where he coached two future NFL players in Ramon Guzman (Indianapolis Colts) and Dequan Mobley (NY Jets).   In 2014, Coach DiGaetano was a finalist for the AFCA Assistant Coach of the year in Division III. He also served as Defensive Coordinator of the USA Select Team for the 2015 International Bowl which defeated the IFAF World Team 20-15 at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.   In 2013, DiGaetano was named to the USA Football Master Trainer program and is the only college coach in the nation with this assignment. Recognized as a subject matter expert in the area of tackling, Vincent has presented this NFL-sponsored program to many high school and youth football programs. His efforts in this area are helping to create a better, safer game for players across the nation.   A lifelong educator, DiGaetano currently serves as principal at the Bronx Alternate Learning Center after serving as New York City’s Department of Education Bronx Borough Safety Director for seven years. In June 2017, he was a recipient of the 2017 Sloan Public Service Award. Widely regarded as the Nobel Prize of NYC government, this honor is annually bestowed upon six outstanding civil servants whose work performance and commitment to the public transcend not merely the ordinary but the extraordinary.   DiGaetano earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Sociology from Wagner in 1999 and a Master's of Science in Education in 2001. A native of Island Park, N.Y., DiGaetano attended West Hempstead High School where he lettered in football, track and lacrosse. He currently resides in Oakdale, N.Y. with his wife Jennifer and daughters Madeleine and Olivia.  

Max Hornig joined the Fordham football staff in July of 2023 where he serves as a volunteer defensive quality control coach.   Hornig comes to Fordham after serving as a recruiting intern at Indiana University from 2021-23. He was responsible for reviewing extensive videos on hundreds of players and writing comments about each players strengths and weaknesses.   In the summer of 2022, Hornig served as a recruiting intern at Long Island University where he reviewed extensive videos and documented each players’ strengths and weaknesses and assisted with the recruiting coordinator with the running backs.   Hornig is a 2023 graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Sports Management/Marketing.

Mark Uptegraff, former Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Northern Illinois University, was named Fordham Football Strength and Conditioning Coach in August of 2025.   At Fordham Uptegraff will be responsible for all facets of the Fordham football strength and conditioning program.   Uptegraff arrives at Fordham after spending the 2024-2025 season at Northern Illinois where he assisted with the development and application of all aspects sport performance NIU’s Football program, including return to play protocols and rehab with athletes coming off catastrophic injuries and surgery. Prior to his stint at NIU, Uptegraff served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for football at Boston College in 2023-2024. His duties included designing programs for Upper Body Development and In-Season Developmental Group, training short-term and long-term injured post-surgical repair athletes, and he served as the Assistant Director of Human Performance: Testing and Analytics.   From 2021-2023 Uptegraff was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Wittenberg University where he oversaw program design development and implementation for all 23 varsity sports programs. He developed and implemented comprehensive annual strength and conditioning programs for Football, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, Baseball, and Softball, and Track and Field and served as the Director of the Wittenberg University Strength and Conditioning Internship Program.   Uptegraff has also served as a graduate assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Virginia Tech in 2018-2019 and an Administrative Strength and Conditioning intern at Ohio State in 2017-2018.   A 2018 graduate of the University of North Carolina, Uptegraff earned a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Sports Administration. He holds SCCC certification through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Ccoahes Association (CSCCA), , CSCS certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and FRCms, FRSC, and FRA certification through Function Range Systems.