Merrimack College Men's Football

Gennetti on Twitter! Mike Gennetti returns for his 12th season as part of the Merrimack College football coaching staff in 2016, serving as Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. Gennetti's defense enjoyed its best season in recent memory during the fall of 2015, when it ranked second in the conference in scoring defense, yieldling only 18.0 points per game, to account for easily the most-improved unit in the league. Those numbers indicated more than a 10-point improvement from the previous fall, when the Warriors ranked eighth in the league in scoring defense.  Gennetti also helped coach one of the best defensive lines in the conference and country, one that led the league with 36 sacks. In addition, Gennetti saw three members of that defense earn all-conference recognition, while two more earned CCA All-Super Region I status, as well. In 2014, Gennetti's defense made tremendous strides and boasted two all-conference performers. The Warriors ranked in the top-five in the league in interceptions and forced fumbles, indicative of just how much progress the team made with an infusion of top-quality recruits in the previous offseason. In his first season as defensive coordinator, Gennetti's defense ranked second in the NE-10 in yards allowed per contest and ranked third in total sacks and fumble recoveries. Gennetti's active ballhawking defense produced two All-American's during the 2011 season. Shawn Loiseau and Tony Johnson were not only All-Americans; they were also the Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year, respectively. Both players won their respective award for the second time. Loiseau and Johnson left North Andover following the 2011 season as the best linebacker and defensive lineman to ever play for the Warriors, respectively, while working under Gennetti. Formerly the linebackers coach, Gennettis linebackers anchored the Merrimack defense in 2009 and 2010, as Loiseau set the school record for tackles in consecutive seasons, while earning Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2010. Prior to his current post, Gennetti spent two years as the defensive backs coach and strength and conditioning coach at Division III Worcester State College. During his time at Worcester State, Gennetti helped the Lancer defense make one of the most dramatic improvements in one year. In passing defense, the team went from 17th in the nation in 2003 to first in 2004. While at Worcester State, he coached three all-conference players, including the 2003 MASCAC Rookie of the Year. Gennetti was a four-year starter at defensive back at Worcester State, and captained the team as a senior in 2002. In 2000, he was named to the Worcester All-Area First Team, finishing sixth in the nation in interceptions (eight in nine games).  In 2003, he was given the Senior Male Athlete of the Year award for leadership in sports at Worcester State. A 2003 graduate of Worcester State, Gennetti earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public policy and community development. Gennetti currently resides in Wilmington, Massachusetts, along with his wife Erin and his three children, Lily, Jack and Juliana.

Anthony Rouzier brings a wide range of coaching experience to the Merrimack College football program. A former Division I linebacker with coaching stops at the high school, college, and international levels, Rouzier has built a reputation for recruiting and developing players, elevating programs, and fostering academic and athletic success. Before joining Merrimack, Rouzier coached at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, part of the Trinity League—perennially regarded as the most competitive high school football league in the country. He was hired as the linebackers coach, promoted to defensive coordinator, then elevated to interim head coach before being named head coach. Over five seasons as head coach, he coached 6 All-Americans and advanced 25 players to Division I scholarships. His players went on to sign at notable programs such as Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, USC, Washington, UCLA, Stanford, Nebraska, Miami, Utah, Boise State, Army, Navy, Holy Cross, Princeton, and more. His leadership elevated the program to its highest average state ranking in school history, while his teams also achieved an average GPA of 3.5, and he raised more than $2.5 million in program funding. During this time, Rouzier also gained valuable experience guiding players and families through the emerging Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape, helping prepare them for opportunities at the next level. Rouzier also brings international experience from the German Football League, where he was hired as defensive coordinator for the Hamburg Huskies, promoted to interim head coach, and later named head coach. At the college level, he served as a Graduate Assistant at UMass, working with linebackers, defensive backs, and special teams. He also gained experience as the outside linebackers coach at Winston-Salem State and served as the defensive coordinator at Amherst High School. While completing his dual JD/MBA program at Florida International University, he worked with the football team, further developing his knowledge of program operations and player development. Rouzier played linebacker at the University of Massachusetts from 2006 to 2009, where he was part of two conference championship teams and a 2006 National Finalist. He also earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Academic Team honors in 2007 and 2008. He began his college career at the University of Connecticut as an inside linebacker, where he became the first-ever true freshman walk-on to start in the school’s Division I era. Over his playing career, he competed for Randy Edsall at UConn and Don Brown at UMass, later working under Mark Whipple at UMass. Rouzier earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism, graduating cum laude from UMass Amherst. He later completed a dual JD/MBA at Florida International University, where he was recognized with the Community Service Award in the College of Law for his work beyond the classroom. A faith-driven Christian man, Rouzier’s mission is to help develop players to reach their full potential—not just as athletes, but as students, leaders, and men prepared to succeed in life. His commitment to education, character, and service directly reflects Merrimack’s mission of developing the whole student-athlete—mind, body, and spirit—through academics, community, and competition. Originally from Amherst, Massachusetts, Rouzier grew up around the game—his father served as the team doctor for UMass Football for 25 years. Now back on the East Coast, he is excited to bring his experience and energy to Merrimack, and to continue building student-athletes who thrive in the classroom, the community, and on the field. Rouzier is married to Elwira, and they are the parents of three children: Junior, Victoria, and Estelle.  

Matt Zanellato joined the Merrimack Football Program in April 2025 as the Wide Receivers Coach.  Zanellato worked for the University of Massachusetts Football Program in January 2022 as an offensive analyst and was promoted to wide receivers coach in June 2023. Zanellato, who was a wide receiver for Penn State from 2011-16, coached Jakobie Keeney-James to one of the most prolific Wide Receiver seasons in UMass History. After transferring from Eastern Washington (FCS), Keeney-James finished his collegiate career as the 4th All-Time in UMass History in Yards Per Catch (16.78) and 5th most receiving yards by a Wide Receiver since 1998. After the 2024 season, Zanellato helped Keeney-James (First Team WR) earn a spot on the SIS Independent / PAC-12 All Conference Team.  The Wide Receiving core increased their Touchdown Reception total each season with Zanellato at the helm: 4 TDs in 2022, 8 TDs in 2023, 12 TDs in 2024.  In the 2023 season, Zanellato was a key member in the offense's progress, with the Minutemen improving to 23.2 points per game, which marked over 85 percent improvement from the previous season. Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams rushed for 1,157 yards on 236 attempts and 12 touchdowns. Lynch-Adams became the second UMass player (behind Ellis Merriweather) to achieve 1,000-plus rushing yards in a season in the FBS era, and the first player with Brown at the helm. Zanellato worked with the top-three receivers last season, as Anthony Simpson averaged 13.89 receiving yards per catch, George Johnson III averaged 12.03 per catch, and Mark Pope averaged 12.73.  After the 2023 season, Zanellato helped Anthony Simpson (First Team WR) earn a spot on the Phil Steele’s 2023 Postseason All-Independent Conference Team, while four more Minutemen on the offense earned a spot, including Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams (First Team RB), Cole Garcia (First Team OG), Gino Campiotti (Second Team TE) and Josh Atwood (Second Team C). Anthony Simpson was also named the All-Independent Wide Receiver of the Year by College Football Network.  During the 2022 season, Zanellato mentored Cam Sullivan-Brown to Pro Football Network Second Team All-Independent honors. Sullivan-Brown played in 10 games and caught 27 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns. The transfer from Penn State was the first UMass wide receiver to earn All-Independent honors since Andy Isabella in 2018. Zanellato also mentored Isaac Ross, the top slot receiver for the Minutemen last year, as he caught 21 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown as a walk-on. Before joining the Minutemen, Zanellato served as the Wide Receiver's Coach and Academic Coordinator at Saginaw Valley State University - A Division-II University that competes in the highly regarded Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In 2021, three Wide Receiver's earned All-Conference recognition for the first time in program history. Casey Williams (First Team), Isaiah Johnson-Mack (Second Team), and Chad Gailliard (Honorable Mention) had notable seasons despite three different quarterbacks seeing time for the Cardinals.  In 2019, SVSU had its first two All-Conference Wide Receiver's since 2007 in Chad Gailliard (First Team) and Casey Williams (Second Team). Chad Gailliard and Casey Williams finished the season top 5 statistically in every receiving category.  Zanellato spent the 2018 season with Division II Lock Haven University, where he served as the Wide Receiver's Coach and Assistant Recruiting Coordinator. The passing game at Lock Haven saw significant improvements under Zanellato, as three players earned postseason accolades under his guidance. Jalen Jackson (All-American), Nysir Minney-Gratz (All-Region), and Bryan Greene (All-Conference) all had prolific seasons in 2018. Zanellato's recruiting area focused on Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, and Reading in Pennsylvania as well as the Washington D.C. area. Zanellato signed 16 prospects in 2019. His signees included the first eight recruits from the Washington, D.C. area in Lock Haven Football history. Before Lock Haven, Zanellato spent a season with Western Michigan, where he served as the special team's quality control analyst. Western Michigan finished the 2017 season ranked third in the nation (ESPN) among FBS schools in special teams efficiency. Defensive back Darius Phillips, who was a fifth-round draft pick by Cincinnati, was a two-time MAC special teams player of the year and was named a Mid-American Conference (MAC) first team kickoff returner and second team punt returner after he set the FBS record for 12 total return touchdowns. Zanellato spent the 2016 season at Davenport University during their inaugural football season, serving as a graduate assistant and running backs coach for current UMass Offensive Coordinator, Steve Casula. Davenport averaged 158.4 yards per game and scored 10 running touchdowns, while 19 of their 22 starters were freshmen.   Zanellato earned his bachelor's degree from Penn State in 2014. The five-year scholarship athlete and four-year letterman played in 39 games with the Nittany Lions, including the Pin Stripe Bowl versus Boston College in 2014 and Tax Slayer Bowl versus Georgia in 2015. Zanellato played for three different head coaches during his career at Penn State, including the winningest coach in college football history, Joe Paterno (2011), current Boston College Head Coach Bill O'Brien (2012 – 2013), and current Penn State head coach James Franklin (2014 – 2015). Zanellato was an All-Big Ten Academic selection, and during his senior year, he was the recipient of Penn State football's public service award for his work with THON and Lift-For-Life. In high school, the former Virginia First Team All-State selection and Washington Post First Team All-Metro selection caught 94 passes for 1,756 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior. He has 10 100-yard receiving games and four games with three touchdown receptions. He was a four-star recruit and ranked among the top-40 high school wide receivers in the nation as a senior. Zanellato currently resides in Littleton, Massachusetts, along with his fiancée Jillian, their one-year-old daughter Sloane, and their dog Patches.

Originally from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Richard is passionate about mentoring the next generation of athletes in New England and bringing his experience, and commitment to the Merrimack program.   Richard brings a unique combination of playing experience and business operations expertise to the Merrimack College football program. A former Division I linebacker at Bryant University and an MBA graduate from Boston University, Richard has built a reputation for business development and mentoring student-athletes.   Before joining Merrimack, Richard gained coaching experience as a student-athlete working with Bryant University’s football summer camps and several high school football camps in Western Massachusetts, where he grew up. His ability to connect with players early in their athletic careers helped prepare them for collegiate competition and success beyond the field.   At the professional level, Richard has also worked extensively in talent acquisition, business development, and strategic project planning. This background in workforce development complements his football experience, giving him a broad perspective on mentoring, leadership, and building pathways to success.   As a collegiate player, Richard excelled on defense and special teams. He was a linebacker at Bryant University, where he appeared in 42 games across four seasons. He was also a two-time special teams captain and the recipient of Bryant University’s Character Award in 2019. Among his career highlights were a 17-tackle performance against Merrimack, which tied a program record, and a game-winning interception return for a touchdown against Wagner in his senior season. He was known for his physical style of play, football IQ, and leadership on the defensive unit—a style he now brings to his running backs, emphasizing playing smart and physical while being leaders on and off the field.   Richard emphasizes passion, strength, wellness, and academics as part of his coaching philosophy, with a dedication to developing the complete student-athlete. His mission is to prepare players not only for competition but also for success in life beyond football.

Aynsley Rosenbaum enters his sixth season on the Merrimack College football coach staff in 2026, as the offiensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Rosenbaum started his tenure at Merrimack coaching wide receivers. In his first season guiding the wide receivers, he coached Jacari Carter to one of the most prolific seasons in program history. Carter was named an FCS Freshman All-American after he had 89 receptions in 11 games with 713 yards and eight touchdowns. He also earned first team All-NEC honors after the season and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice award as the nation's top FCS freshman.  Rosenbaum came to Merrimack after 13 years at Framingham State University. He was named the Head Football Coach on January 19, 2020 after 12 seasons as the offensive coordinator. Although he was unable to be on the sideline as head coach, he guided the team through a cancelled 2020 season of training and practice.  He was also the school's Assistant Director of Athletics overseeing Club Sports and Recruiting. During Rosenbaum’s 12 seasons on the sideline the Rams won nine conference championships, made five appearances in the NCAA Division III Football Tournament and won four bowl games. During that time, Rosenbaum's offenses rewrote Framingham's record book. Rosenbaum’s offenses led the MASCAC in points (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015), rushing (2019, 2017), rushing touchdowns (2018, 2017, 2016), total offense (2019, 2017, 2014, 2013) and passing touchdowns (2019, 2014).  Rosenbaum’s offenses featured the University’s first four single season 1,000 yard rushers and first single season 1,000 yard receiver. His offenses featured three conference Offensive Players of the Year, five Offensive Lineman of the Year and four conference Offensive Rookies of the Year. In 2013 Rosenbaum was honored by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston as the Division II/III Assistant Coach of the Year. Rosenbaum has coached 33 first team All-Conference players and 19 second team selections.  Eleven players on the offensive side of the ball were selected to the New England Football Writer’s Division II/III All-New England Team during his tenure. He has also coached ten D3football.com All-Region selections. He has guided the offense that featured a two-time D3football.com All-America selection as well as three Joseph P. Zabilski Award winners.  Before coaching at Framingham, Rosenbaum spent seven seasons with the Arlington Catholic High School football program where they won three Catholic Central Titles and made two trips to the postseason.  At Arlington Catholic Rosenbaum coached three All-Scholastic quarterbacks and two All-State receivers. As a player, Rosenbaum was a running back and kick return man for Framingham State from 1995-97.  He led the team in rushing in 1995 and 1996, while also averaging 19.3 yards per return during his career.  Rosenbaum currently resides in Andover with his wife Melissa and two daughters Mia & Layne.

Tim Christensen enters his first year as a member of the football coaching staff in 2022. Christenesn oversees the team's running backs as well as serving as the program's video coordinator.  Arrived after serving as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for 2 years at Springfield College. In 2021 the Springfield offense helped lead the team to a NEWMAC conference championship and birth to the D3 playoffs. The offensive line unit consisted of 4 all-conference members including 1 first team all American, Lou Cocozza. Spent the 2019 campaign as offensive quality control at University of New Hampshire. Graduated from Springfield College in 2019 where he was a 4 year member of the offensive line with a degree in Sport  Management.

Primary Recruiting Areas: Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and Delaware Gee White is entering his eighth season with the Merrimack College football coaching staff in 2025, serving as the defensive line coach. The 2024 season was another impressive season. Senior defensive end, Nick Lenon, led the team with 10.5 sacks. Jay Thompson, another senior member of the defensive line, closely followed with 9 sacks of his own. Those numbers were good enough to both be ranked top 15 nationally in sacks at the FCS level. In White’s first season as the defensive line coach, in 2022, the Warriors defensive unit led the NEC in rush defense, as well as sacks. Brandon Roberts, defensive tackle, was named to the Phil Steele All-American list for the season. In 2023, Merrimack’s defense, once again, led the conference in rush defense and sacks. Chiebuka Aduaka was one of the leaders in sacks int the NEC. The defensive line was an integral part of the defensive finishing 5th nationally in total defense at the FCS level and 1st in 3rd down defense.   In 2021 White helped oversee a punt return unit that led the NEC. It was the second time in three years that the Warriors topped the league in the category. Merrimack also was fifth in the country in punt return in 2021. His safeties group also helped the Warriors rank second nationally in pass defense with 142.3 yards per game and lifted Merrimack to be ranked 20th in the land in total yards allowed per game.  The 2019 season saw White's safeties battle NCAA FCS competition for the majority of the season as the Warriors competed in their first year at the FCS level. White helped a Merrimack pass defense that ranked fifth out of nine Northeast Conference programs in yards allowed per game. The Warriors led the NEC in opposing completion percentage, relenting just a 51.3 completion percentage over 11 games.  White helped produce four all-conference selections in 2018, as Merrimack finished the year with 10 total interceptions, a figure that ranked fourth in the conference. Merrimack also had the second-best turnover margin in the league thanks to 17 takeaways, the fourth-best figure in the conference. The Warriors averaged just under two sacks per game and had the fourth-best red zone defense in the conference. White arrived after spending two years at McDaniel College (DIII), where he coached the linebackers and helped produce an all-conference selection in each of his two seasons. He did so after spending a year coaching linebackers and running backs at Kutztown High School before returning to his hometown of Baltimore. White played collegiately at Division II Kutztown after being a standout player at Mt. St. Joseph High School in Baltimore. White graduated from Kutztown in 2015 with a bachelor's in leisure and sport studies. He earned his Master's of Science in Kinesiology, as well.   

Shane Gaines joined the Merrimack football staff in February of 2024 to coach the Corners/Rovers.  Gaines comes to the Mack from Edinboro University (DII-PSAC conference) where he coached the defensive backs, cornerbacks & safeties for the 2023 season. During his time at Edinboro, he mentored 2nd Team All-PSAC WEST Safety Toby Cline. Before his time at Edinboro University, Gaines served as the Defensive Backs coach/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Recruiting Coordinator at Susquehanna University from 2022 Spring to 2023 Spring. During his time at Susquehanna University (DIII-LANDMARK Conference), he mentored three all conference DB’s. 1st Team All-Centennial Safety Keith Greene III, 2nd Team All-Centennial Cornerbacks, Edwin Maxwell and David Gilchrist. The secondary totaled 39 passes defended (29 PBUs and 10 INTs). As Gaines coached the DBs, Susquehanna had one if it’s best seasons as a program. SU had a 10-1 record while also winning the Centennial Conference Championship and getting a birth in the DIII National Playoffs for the first in over a decade. Defensively, Susquehanna was Top 2 in Scoring defense (14.0 ppg), Total Defense (270.3 ypg), Pass Defensive Completion Percentage (50.6%), 3rd Down Defense (29.2%), and Red Zone Defense (22/31). Prior to Susquehanna, Gaines served as a graduate assistant/Defensive Backs Coach/Co-Recruiting coordinator at Shippensburg University (DII-PSAC) in 2021. While working with the DB’s and recruiting at SU, Gaines had coordinating responsibilities on the special teams side of the ball as well. During Gaines tenure at Shippensburg, the program had one of the best seasons in school history with going from 4-7 in 2019 to having a 9-2 record in 2021.  While also having team success, Gaines mentored 2nd Team ALL-PSAC EAST Defensive Back, Trey Paul. Under Gaines, Paul ranked top 10 in the country for interceptions with 5. He finished the season with 13 total passes defended (9 PBU’s and 4 INTs). As a secondary, Gaines’s unit had 39 total passes defended, 26 PBU’s and 10 INTs. Shippensburg defense had one of its best statistical years ever with being ranked #1 in the PSAC/#11 in the nation in 3rd Down Defense at 28.8%. They also were #4 in the PSAC in scoring defense (20.0 ppg) which was #2 in the PSAC-East. The defense was also ranked #5 in total defense in the PSAC, #2 in the PSAC-East (297.5 ypg). Before landing the GA position with Shippensburg, Gaines started his Master’s at American International College in 2020 where he served as a GA and the sport performance coordinator. The program did not have a season due to Covid-19. For the 2019 season, Gaines was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Salisbury University (DIII-NJAC). Gaines coached the defensive backs and was a special teams quality control coach. His secondary featured three All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) performers, including a D3Football.com First Team All-American. The Sea Gulls were ranked among the Top 30 total defenses in the nation, including ninth in rushing defense. Gaines’ coaching career began with a three-month stint at Alvernia University, where he coached the defensive backs and served as the head strength/sport performance coach. As a recruiter, Gaines has recruited the DMV, Northern New Jersey, Columbus (OH), Youngstown (OH), Cleveland (OH), and has had experience with the transfer portal.     As a collegian, Gaines was a defensive back. During his time at Salisbury University, he started 42 of the 43 games he played. Statistically, Gaines totaled 190 tackles (104 solo) to go along with seven interceptions and 32 pass breakups. A two-year captain, Gaines was named the 2015 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year and the 2015 East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) Rookie of the Year after recording a career-high 62 tackles and seven pass breakups.   His banner senior season included three interceptions and more than 10 pass defenses, and it resulted in recognition on the All-NJAC First Team, All-East Region Third Team and D3Football.com All-America squad. He started in the 2018 FCS National Bowl as well, where he was 1 of 3 DIII players on the roster. In 2020, Gaines was voted to the Salisbury University Football All-Decade Team.   A native of Baltimore, MD, Gaines earned his undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies from Salisbury in 2018 and his Master’s Degree in Developmental Leadership from Shippensburg University in 2022.  

In 2024, Jared Smith enters his third year as a member of the Merrimack football coaching staff. Smith is the Safeties Coach.  Merrimack finished the 2023 season with one of the best defenses statistically in the FCS, including 5th in passing yards allowed. With Smith’s help, the Warriors were 2nd in the NEC for pass defense, 2nd in pass efficiency, and 1st in interceptions. The Warriors also ranked 1st in the NEC for completion percentage (51.3%). Smith helped run a historic Merrimack defense that ranked 5th in Total Defense, 1st in 3rd Down Defense, 4th in Defensive 1st Downs, and 5th in Passing Yards in the FCS. Merrimack finished the 2022 season 2nd in the NEC boasting an 8-3 record, making it the most wins in a season in their program’s history.  The Warriors defense ranked 1st in the NEC for completion percentage (53.9%) and 2nd for pass efficiency.  In 2021, Smith coached at Bowdoin College where he was the Corners Coach and Video Coordinator for the Fall season before switching to Defensive Line and inheriting the title of Director of Football Operations. Smith spent the 2019 football season as the Corners Coach, Video Coordinator, and Social Media Coordinator at Catawba College. While there, Smith coached Cristopher Page, and helped him gain his 4th All-Conference award. Page was also named the team’s MVP and achieved his career-high for interceptions in a single season (5). Smith improved the number of Total Passes Defended by 12 from the year before with the corners. 74% of all passes defended on defense were from the cornerback position.  Before joining Catawba College, Smith was a graduate assistant at Northwestern State University in 2018. While there, Smith worked with the safeties, and helped coach 1st Team All-Conference safety Hayden Bourgeois.  Smith played collegiately at Gambling State University during the 2014 season before becoming a student assistant coach at UL Lafayette. While with the Ragin' Cajuns, Smith assisted with recruiting tours, official visits, scouting and film breakdown while working with the wide receivers. Smith graduated from UL Lafayette with a degree in General Studies with a concentration in Behavioral Science in 2018.