Saint Francis University Men's Football

Villarrial was named the 25th head coach of the Saint Francis University football program on December 20, 2009. After serving one year as the offensive coordinator under predecessor Dave Opfar, Villarrial will enter his seventh season at the helm of the Saint Francis football program in 2016. With 24 career wins, Villarrial ranks third in program history.  He is just one victory behind Frank Pergolizzi (1989-94) for second all-time and trails Art Martynuska (1969-79, 81) by 21 wins for first place. Villarrial was named 2015 NEC Coach of the Year, the first in SFU program history, and was one of 15 finalists for STATS FCS National Coach of the Year after the football program took a big step in 2015, finishing with its first winning record since 1992.  Led by Villarrial, the Red Flash went 7-4 overall and 4-2 in the NEC.    The Red Flash won seven games in a season for just the fifth time in program history and finished with its first-ever winning record in the Northeast Conference.  SFU also went 5-0 at home for the first time in program history.   Saint Francis finished second in the NEC standings, just one win away from the programs first NEC title.    The 2015 campaign began with Saint Francis winning its first season-opener since 2006 as it defeated Georgetown, 48-20.  After losses at Towson and Youngstown State, the Red Flash earned wins over the University of Faith and East Tennessee State for the programs first 3-2 start since 2004 and first winning record in non-conference games since 1992.   Saint Francis started NEC play with a 43-14 win at home over Wagner.  The following week, a comeback attempt fell short at Bryant as the Red Flash scored 21 unanswered points, but lost 26-24.  However, the Red Flash bounced back to win three straight games, defeating Sacred Heart (23-14), Central Connecticut State (22-13) and Robert Morris (21-0).    The win over Robert Morris set up a game at Duquesne, which served as an NEC Championship game.  With both teams entering the game at 4-1 in conference play, the winner would clinch the conference title and FCS playoff bid.  The Red Flash jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but the Dukes came back to win, 30-20.   Nine Red Flash claimed All-NEC honors.  Running back Khairi Dickson, receiver Terell Smith, center Jimmy Marks, cornerback DaQuan Minter, safety/kick returner Lorenzo Jerome and kicker Lance Geesey all claimed First Team honors, while guard Christian Eubanks, tackle Sam Freireich and nose tackle Wesley Nagaseu earned Second Team accolades. The football program continued its renaissance in 2014, again matching its highest win total in the FCS era with five victories. That marks the third consecutive season with five wins for the Red Flash and the Flashs third straight season with a .500-record in NEC play. Thats a first for the program since joining the NEC in 1996.   There were several marquee wins among those victories in 2014. The Flash defeated its first-ever ranked opponent when it won at No. 22 Sacred Heart, 30-27, in October. The following week, Villarrial led the Red Flash to its first win over Duquesne in five years and just the programs seventh win against the Dukes in 41 tries. A week after defeating Duquesne, the Flash went to Robert Morris and won, 40-7, to give the program its first three-game winning streak since moving to Div. I FCS in 1993.   Villarrial coached several individuals to impressive honors and awards. Junior running back Khairi Dickson was the NCAA Statistical Champion for rushing yards per game, averaging 155.3 yards per game. He was named Third Team All-America by The Sports Network and was also a Walter Payton Award watch list member. That award goes to the Most Outstanding Player at the FCS level. Dickson was also named the NEC Offensive Player of the Year, joining backfield mate Marcus Bagley on the awards roll. Bagley was named the NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year. That marked the first time in the history of the Northeast Conference that those awards came from the same position on the same team.   Villarrial coached 10 players to All-NEC recognition, including six All-NEC First Team selections. Lance Geesey had the best season for a Red Flash kicker in school history in 2014. The redshirt sophomore made 18-of-22 field goal attempts, easily the most in the conference and fourth most in the FCS. The 18 makes were easily a school record, shattering the 11 he made last season to tie Josh Thiel. He also led the NEC in field goal percentage, converting on 81.8 percent of his kicks. Zack Drayer pulled double-duty as the SFU quarterback and punter. His 37.8 yards per punt average was the best in the conference. He had a long of 54 yards while pinning 10 inside the opponents' 20 to just four touchbacks. It's also likely the first time the First Team punter also led the conference in passing efficiency during the course of the season. The Red Flash continued its ascent in 2013, matching its 2012 win total with five. The Red Flash earned its first-ever victory at NEC foe Bryant, defeating the Bulldogs, 23-20, in November. That Bryant victory started a three-game stretch to close the regular season in which the Red Flash defense held its opponents to less than 21 points in each game. The last time an SFU defense did that in three consecutive games was Sept. 11-25, 1993. Individual players flourished under Villarrials leadership in 2013. Running back Kyle Harbridge was a Walter Payton Award watch list member. The trophy is given to the most outstanding FCS player in the nation. Harbridge was All-NEC First Team, rushing for a school-record 1,619 yards and 16 touchdowns. Harbridge also scored 110 points, becoming the first Red Flash player to score over 100 points in a season.   Harbridge joined senior safety Jake DeMedal in earning NFL tryouts following the 2013 season. Harbridge worked out for the New England Patriots while DeMedal worked out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. DeMedal had another standout season to cap his collegiate career. He finished second on the team and eighth in the NEC with 72 tackles and tied for third on the Flash with four passes defended. He was a All-NEC First Team pick for the second straight year.   DeMedals fellow defensive backs DaQuan Minter and Lorenzo Jerome each finished the year with six interceptions to tie for third in the FCS in that category. Jerome was named the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year for his performance.   In 2012, Villarrial led the Red Flash to five victories, the most wins in a season since 1992 and the schools best record as a member of the Division I FCS. Last seasons squad featured the most potent rushing attack in school history, setting single-season marks for rushing attempts (502) and yards (2,610). It also was the highest scoring team in school history, registering 307 points on 39 touchdowns and 11 field goals, all school records. Six players earned all-conference honors, with Jakob DeMedal and Josh Thiel making the NEC First Team and running back Anthony Abeid earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. In 2011, Villarrial helped turn the Red Flash offense into one of the most potent in the nation as the SFU offense attack rewrote the school record book. The Flash set single-season school records in 2011 for points, touchdowns and rushing yards. Saint Francis also boasted the most efficient offense in the Northeast Conference in the red zone and the 23rd-best in the Football Championship Subdivision. Villarrial tutored two of his players, Kyle Harbridge and Anthony Bowman, to All-American honors and also placed three student-athletes on All-NEC teams (Harbridge, Bowman and offensive lineman Jordan Kelly). The Saint Francis rushing offense ranked second in the Northeast Conference and 20th nationally averaging over 204 yards per-game. SFU ranked third in the NEC in total offense racking up over 379 yards a game. Villarrial tutored the offensive line into one of the best blocking units in the conference as they cleared the way for SFU running backs to post nine games with 100-yards rushing or more. The offensive line was key in opening holes for Harbridge, as he set single-season school records for rushing yards, touchdowns and points. On Sept. 17, 2011 against Morehead State, Villarrial won his second consecutive home opener and for the second season in row the Red Flash offense scored over 40 points in their first home game of the season. In the Morehead State game, Harbridge rushed for a school record 367 yards while also racking up 457 all-purpose yards as SFU rallied from 21-points down to win 50-49. Villarrial also picked up a win against Central Connecticut State, the 2010 NEC Co-Champion, holding them to just 13 points while rushing for 304 yards. Saint Francis student-athletes also achieved success off the field in 2011 as John Kelly and Jeff Wasilewski earned Academic All-District honors and the Red Flash placed 36 on the NEC Academic Honor Roll.       In his first full season with the Red Flash, Villarrial guided his team to a 1-10 overall record and a 1-7 mark in Northeast Conference play. With the largest home crowd since 2007 on hand, Villarrials football squad captured its lone victory of the season in impressive, dominating fashion. In front of a national television audience, the Red Flash defeated conference foe Sacred Heart 41-0, which is tied for the largest margin of victory since 1971 and just the second shutout win for the Red Flash in 14 seasons. During the game, Saint Francis set a program record for interceptions in a game by pulling in seven. Additionally, two players under Villarrials direction were named All-NEC and four were selected to this years preseason All-Northeast team. During his first season in Loretto prior to being named head coach, Villarrial designed and implemented a successful West Coast Offense that saw the Red Flash improve from 11.4. ppg in 2008 to 15.6 ppg in 2009, against the toughest schedule in school history. Saint Francis also averaged over 100 rushing yards per game (115.9) after averaging just 70.1 rushing yards per game in 2008. Villarrial had two players senior offensive lineman Cody Kekipi (Waimanalo, Hawaii / Punahou) and senior wide receiver Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, N.J. / Willingboro) named to the all-Northeast Conference first or second team. He also oversaw the development of freshman running back/kick return specialist Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa. / Easton Area), who was a finalist for Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie-of-the-Year honors after leading the team in all-purpose yardage (103.9 yards per game), which was good for seventh in the Northeast Conference. Also during his first season in Loretto, Villarrial helped the Red Flash to an improved record after a winless season in 2008, and guided the Red Flash to the second-best single-game rushing total in school history, a 427-yard performance in a victory over in-state Northeast Conference rival Duquesne. A native of Hershey, Pa., Villarrial spent 11 seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman with the Chicago Bears (1996-2004) and the Buffalo Bills (2004-06). Villarrial made an impression on NFL scouts prior by breaking the NFL Combine Bench Press Record, and was then drafted in the fifth round (152nd overall) by Dave Wannstedt in April of 1996. As a member of the Chicago Bears from 1996-2004, Villarrial played six seasons under head coach Dick Jauron, and was a two-year All-Pro player in addition to being named to the All-Joe Team. He paved the way for a 1000-yard rusher every season, blocked for Anthony Thomas, who was the NFL Offensive Rookie-of-the-Year in 2001, and was a member of an offensive line that gave up the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2001, when the Bears advanced to the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. He also received the Golden Bear Award, which is given to the rookie who has perfect attendance in the weight room. Villarrial was one of the most sought out free agents in Buffalo Bills history for head coach Mike Mularkey, and continued his streak of 1,000-yard rushers every season with the Bills. He was a member of an offensive line that gave up the fewest sacks in franchise history. Villarrial, who also played two seasons in Buffalo under coach Jauron, finished his NFL career with 148 starts. Following his professional career, Villarrial returned to Ebensburg, where he served two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Central Cambria High School football team. He led the team to two district title games, and personally helped 13 players continue their playing careers at the collegiate level, while developing and implementing a successful strength and conditioning program. Villarrial, who has been active in the community with Special Olympics and cancer research funding, played his collegiate football for head coach Frank Cignetti at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Special Education, with a concentration in rehabilitation. While playing for IUP, Villarrial was a three-year All-American and three-year all-conference player. He played in the 1993 Division II national championship game, and received the Jim Langer Award for Best Lineman in Division II in 1996. Villarrial had his college jersey No. 75 retired by IUP. Villarrial is a 1991 graduate of Hershey High School, where he played for head coach Bob Gump May. Hershey retired Villarrials high school jersey No. 78 on May 5, 2001. Chris Villarrial File   Former National Football League All-Pro Offensive Lineman Chris Villarrial was named the 25th head coach of the Saint Francis University football program on December 20, 2009. After serving one year as the offensive coordinator under predecessor Dave Opfar, Villarrial will enter his seventh season at the helm of the Saint Francis football program in 2016. With 24 career wins, Villarrial ranks third in program history.  He is just one victory behind Frank Pergolizzi (1989-94) for second all-time and trails Art Martynuska (1969-79, 81) by 21 wins for first place. Villarrial was named 2015 NEC Coach of the Year, the first in SFU program history, and was one of 15 finalists for STATS FCS National Coach of the Year after the football program took a big step in 2015, finishing with its first winning record since 1992.  Led by Villarrial, the Red Flash went 7-4 overall and 4-2 in the NEC.    The Red Flash won seven games in a season for just the fifth time in program history and finished with its first-ever winning record in the Northeast Conference.  SFU also went 5-0 at home for the first time in program history.   Saint Francis finished second in the NEC standings, just one win away from the programs first NEC title.    The 2015 campaign began with Saint Francis winning its first season-opener since 2006 as it defeated Georgetown, 48-20.  After losses at Towson and Youngstown State, the Red Flash earned wins over the University of Faith and East Tennessee State for the programs first 3-2 start since 2004 and first winning record in non-conference games since 1992.   Saint Francis started NEC play with a 43-14 win at home over Wagner.  The following week, a comeback attempt fell short at Bryant as the Red Flash scored 21 unanswered points, but lost 26-24.  However, the Red Flash bounced back to win three straight games, defeating Sacred Heart (23-14), Central Connecticut State (22-13) and Robert Morris (21-0).    The win over Robert Morris set up a game at Duquesne, which served as an NEC Championship game.  With both teams entering the game at 4-1 in conference play, the winner would clinch the conference title and FCS playoff bid.  The Red Flash jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but the Dukes came back to win, 30-20.   Nine Red Flash claimed All-NEC honors.  Running back Khairi Dickson, receiver Terell Smith, center Jimmy Marks, cornerback DaQuan Minter, safety/kick returner Lorenzo Jerome and kicker Lance Geesey all claimed First Team honors, while guard Christian Eubanks, tackle Sam Freireich and nose tackle Wesley Nagaseu earned Second Team accolades. The football program continued its renaissance in 2014, again matching its highest win total in the FCS era with five victories. That marks the third consecutive season with five wins for the Red Flash and the Flashs third straight season with a .500-record in NEC play. Thats a first for the program since joining the NEC in 1996.   There were several marquee wins among those victories in 2014. The Flash defeated its first-ever ranked opponent when it won at No. 22 Sacred Heart, 30-27, in October. The following week, Villarrial led the Red Flash to its first win over Duquesne in five years and just the programs seventh win against the Dukes in 41 tries. A week after defeating Duquesne, the Flash went to Robert Morris and won, 40-7, to give the program its first three-game winning streak since moving to Div. I FCS in 1993.   Villarrial coached several individuals to impressive honors and awards. Junior running back Khairi Dickson was the NCAA Statistical Champion for rushing yards per game, averaging 155.3 yards per game. He was named Third Team All-America by The Sports Network and was also a Walter Payton Award watch list member. That award goes to the Most Outstanding Player at the FCS level. Dickson was also named the NEC Offensive Player of the Year, joining backfield mate Marcus Bagley on the awards roll. Bagley was named the NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year. That marked the first time in the history of the Northeast Conference that those awards came from the same position on the same team.   Villarrial coached 10 players to All-NEC recognition, including six All-NEC First Team selections. Lance Geesey had the best season for a Red Flash kicker in school history in 2014. The redshirt sophomore made 18-of-22 field goal attempts, easily the most in the conference and fourth most in the FCS. The 18 makes were easily a school record, shattering the 11 he made last season to tie Josh Thiel. He also led the NEC in field goal percentage, converting on 81.8 percent of his kicks. Zack Drayer pulled double-duty as the SFU quarterback and punter. His 37.8 yards per punt average was the best in the conference. He had a long of 54 yards while pinning 10 inside the opponents' 20 to just four touchbacks. It's also likely the first time the First Team punter also led the conference in passing efficiency during the course of the season. The Red Flash continued its ascent in 2013, matching its 2012 win total with five. The Red Flash earned its first-ever victory at NEC foe Bryant, defeating the Bulldogs, 23-20, in November. That Bryant victory started a three-game stretch to close the regular season in which the Red Flash defense held its opponents to less than 21 points in each game. The last time an SFU defense did that in three consecutive games was Sept. 11-25, 1993. Individual players flourished under Villarrials leadership in 2013. Running back Kyle Harbridge was a Walter Payton Award watch list member. The trophy is given to the most outstanding FCS player in the nation. Harbridge was All-NEC First Team, rushing for a school-record 1,619 yards and 16 touchdowns. Harbridge also scored 110 points, becoming the first Red Flash player to score over 100 points in a season.   Harbridge joined senior safety Jake DeMedal in earning NFL tryouts following the 2013 season. Harbridge worked out for the New England Patriots while DeMedal worked out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. DeMedal had another standout season to cap his collegiate career. He finished second on the team and eighth in the NEC with 72 tackles and tied for third on the Flash with four passes defended. He was a All-NEC First Team pick for the second straight year.   DeMedals fellow defensive backs DaQuan Minter and Lorenzo Jerome each finished the year with six interceptions to tie for third in the FCS in that category. Jerome was named the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year for his performance.   In 2012, Villarrial led the Red Flash to five victories, the most wins in a season since 1992 and the schools best record as a member of the Division I FCS. Last seasons squad featured the most potent rushing attack in school history, setting single-season marks for rushing attempts (502) and yards (2,610). It also was the highest scoring team in school history, registering 307 points on 39 touchdowns and 11 field goals, all school records. Six players earned all-conference honors, with Jakob DeMedal and Josh Thiel making the NEC First Team and running back Anthony Abeid earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. In 2011, Villarrial helped turn the Red Flash offense into one of the most potent in the nation as the SFU offense attack rewrote the school record book. The Flash set single-season school records in 2011 for points, touchdowns and rushing yards. Saint Francis also boasted the most efficient offense in the Northeast Conference in the red zone and the 23rd-best in the Football Championship Subdivision. Villarrial tutored two of his players, Kyle Harbridge and Anthony Bowman, to All-American honors and also placed three student-athletes on All-NEC teams (Harbridge, Bowman and offensive lineman Jordan Kelly). The Saint Francis rushing offense ranked second in the Northeast Conference and 20th nationally averaging over 204 yards per-game. SFU ranked third in the NEC in total offense racking up over 379 yards a game. Villarrial tutored the offensive line into one of the best blocking units in the conference as they cleared the way for SFU running backs to post nine games with 100-yards rushing or more. The offensive line was key in opening holes for Harbridge, as he set single-season school records for rushing yards, touchdowns and points. On Sept. 17, 2011 against Morehead State, Villarrial won his second consecutive home opener and for the second season in row the Red Flash offense scored over 40 points in their first home game of the season. In the Morehead State game, Harbridge rushed for a school record 367 yards while also racking up 457 all-purpose yards as SFU rallied from 21-points down to win 50-49. Villarrial also picked up a win against Central Connecticut State, the 2010 NEC Co-Champion, holding them to just 13 points while rushing for 304 yards. Saint Francis student-athletes also achieved success off the field in 2011 as John Kelly and Jeff Wasilewski earned Academic All-District honors and the Red Flash placed 36 on the NEC Academic Honor Roll.       In his first full season with the Red Flash, Villarrial guided his team to a 1-10 overall record and a 1-7 mark in Northeast Conference play. With the largest home crowd since 2007 on hand, Villarrials football squad captured its lone victory of the season in impressive, dominating fashion. In front of a national television audience, the Red Flash defeated conference foe Sacred Heart 41-0, which is tied for the largest margin of victory since 1971 and just the second shutout win for the Red Flash in 14 seasons. During the game, Saint Francis set a program record for interceptions in a game by pulling in seven. Additionally, two players under Villarrials direction were named All-NEC and four were selected to this years preseason All-Northeast team. During his first season in Loretto prior to being named head coach, Villarrial designed and implemented a successful West Coast Offense that saw the Red Flash improve from 11.4. ppg in 2008 to 15.6 ppg in 2009, against the toughest schedule in school history. Saint Francis also averaged over 100 rushing yards per game (115.9) after averaging just 70.1 rushing yards per game in 2008. Villarrial had two players senior offensive lineman Cody Kekipi (Waimanalo, Hawaii / Punahou) and senior wide receiver Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, N.J. / Willingboro) named to the all-Northeast Conference first or second team. He also oversaw the development of freshman running back/kick return specialist Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa. / Easton Area), who was a finalist for Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie-of-the-Year honors after leading the team in all-purpose yardage (103.9 yards per game), which was good for seventh in the Northeast Conference. Also during his first season in Loretto, Villarrial helped the Red Flash to an improved record after a winless season in 2008, and guided the Red Flash to the second-best single-game rushing total in school history, a 427-yard performance in a victory over in-state Northeast Conference rival Duquesne. A native of Hershey, Pa., Villarrial spent 11 seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman with the Chicago Bears (1996-2004) and the Buffalo Bills (2004-06). Villarrial made an impression on NFL scouts prior by breaking the NFL Combine Bench Press Record, and was then drafted in the fifth round (152nd overall) by Dave Wannstedt in April of 1996. As a member of the Chicago Bears from 1996-2004, Villarrial played six seasons under head coach Dick Jauron, and was a two-year All-Pro player in addition to being named to the All-Joe Team. He paved the way for a 1000-yard rusher every season, blocked for Anthony Thomas, who was the NFL Offensive Rookie-of-the-Year in 2001, and was a member of an offensive line that gave up the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2001, when the Bears advanced to the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. He also received the Golden Bear Award, which is given to the rookie who has perfect attendance in the weight room. Villarrial was one of the most sought out free agents in Buffalo Bills history for head coach Mike Mularkey, and continued his streak of 1,000-yard rushers every season with the Bills. He was a member of an offensive line that gave up the fewest sacks in franchise history. Villarrial, who also played two seasons in Buffalo under coach Jauron, finished his NFL career with 148 starts. Following his professional career, Villarrial returned to Ebensburg, where he served two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Central Cambria High School football team. He led the team to two district title games, and personally helped 13 players continue their playing careers at the collegiate level, while developing and implementing a successful strength and conditioning program. Villarrial, who has been active in the community with Special Olympics and cancer research funding, played his collegiate football for head coach Frank Cignetti at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Special Education, with a concentration in rehabilitation. While playing for IUP, Villarrial was a three-year All-American and three-year all-conference player. He played in the 1993 Division II national championship game, and received the Jim Langer Award for Best Lineman in Division II in 1996. Villarrial had his college jersey No. 75 retired by IUP. Villarrial is a 1991 graduate of Hershey High School, where he played for head coach Bob Gump May. Hershey retired Villarrials high school jersey No. 78 on May 5, 2001. Chris Villarrial File  

Pecora coached a Saint Francis secondary that helped the Red Flash defense rank ninth in the FCS in pass defense in 2015, allowing only 163 yards per game.  SFU was also 17th in the nation in total defense, giving up 309.3 yards per game.  Saint Francis held three opponents to under 100 yards passing and five teams to under 150 yards.  SFU was also fifth in the nation in pass efficiency defense, with a rating of 99.15.    The secondary unit was one of the strongest defensive units in the conference.  Cornerback DaQuan Minter and safety Lorenzo Jerome each earned First Team All-NEC honors, while safety Delondo Boyd was named to the CFPA Defensive Back of the Year Award Midseason Watch List.   Jerome ranked third on the Red Flash defense with 58 tackles, including 33 solo, 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks.  He tied for the team-lead and second in the conference with three interceptions, which he returned for a total of 115 yards.  Jerome also had seven pass breakups.   Minter ranked fifth in the FCS in passes defended per game, despite missing four contests with an injury. Minter intercepted two passes and broke up 11.  He added 26 tackles, with 21 solo.  Minter picked off passes against Sacred Heart and Duquesne, while covering two of the conferences top receivers: Sacred Hearts Tyler Dube and Duquesnes Chris King.   Boyd tied for the team-lead and second in the conference with three interceptions.  He picked off two passes vs. Georgetown, returning one 35 yards for a touchdown.  Boyd recorded 49 tackles, with 33 solo and three for loss, and forced a fumble.   At the opposite corner, Malik Duncan made 27 stops on the year, with 19 solo.  He also broke up seven passes and intercepted one vs. Robert Morris.   Other contributors in the secondary included Robert Miller, Angelo Perrucci and Jalen Wells.  Miller had a 40-yard pick-six at East Tennessee State, while Perrucci picked off a pass vs. Sacred Heart.  Wells had 18 stops and two pass breakups. Pecora led the secondary to a successful season in 2014, guiding the unit to the No. 14 pass defense in the nation and second best in the conference. The secondary also boasted two All-NEC First Team selections in safeties Bishop Neal and Lorenzo Jerome. Jerome and Neal finished first and second on the team, respectively, in tackles. Jerome finished the 2014 season with 16 total passes defended, second most in the NEC. Pecora also assisted defensive back DaQuan Minter to finish among the top 10 in interceptions in the FCS last year.   Pecora graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012 with his bachelors of science in history. He was a three-year letterman with the Panthers football team where he was a two-time All-Academic Big East selection. After suffering an injury leading into his senior season, he worked as a student assistant, working with special teams scouting and breaking down video. Following his graduation from Pittsburgh, he played his final season of eligibility at Indiana University of Pittsburgh, where he started at free safety all season. Pecora earned three Defensive Player of the Week nods while leading the defense to the No. 2 red zone defense in the country.   Pecora lives in Johnstown.        Marco Pecora

Wright coached a strong group of Saint Francis receivers in 2015.  The group helped the Red Flash offense to average 28.2 points per game, ranking second in the NEC and 49th in the FCS.  SFU averaged 203 passing yards per game.  Seven different receivers caught a pass from quarterback Zack Drayer.   Senior Terell Smith was one of the top breakout players this year for the Red Flash.  Smith caught 53 passes for 920 yards and eight touchdowns. Smiths 920 yards are the second-most in a season at Saint Francis and eight touchdowns are tied for the third-most.  He earned First Team All-NEC honors after posting five 100-yard games after entering the year with only one previous 100-yard game in his career.  One of Smiths top performances of the year came in a win vs. Sacred Heart.  Smith hauled in a 64-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter before scoring on a school-record 98-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.   Fellow senior and Maryland transfer Daniel Adams had 24 receptions for 383 yards and two touchdowns.  Adams made his biggest impact of the year in NEC play, with 284 yards coming against conference opponents.  Anthony Abeid contributed 24 catches for 300 yards, with his top performance of the season coming against SHU, when he had seven receptions for 103 yards.  Freshman Kamron Lewis added 11 catches for 107 yards, with a few solid performances in NEC play.    Wright coached junior receiver Anthony Abeid to All-NEC Second Team honors in 2014. He caught seven touchdown passes in 2014, the most for a Red Flash receiver since Antoine Rivera caught that same amount in 2007. Abeid was a College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Honorable Mention for his eight catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns at Wagner, and he won NEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his three catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns at No. 22 Sacred Heart. Abeid also threw a touchdown pass on the first play of the game on a reverse to give the Flash the early lead. His seven touchdown receptions tied him for fifth on the school's single-season list.   Terrell Smiths three touchdowns were second on the team, and six other SFU receivers made touchdown receptions in 2014. Smith had touchdown receptions in three of four games, and his six-catch, 105-yard effort at No. 22 Sacred Heart helped the Flash to the upset win.   In the Red Flashs rush-heavy offense in 2013, Wright still guided senior receiver Dane Domonkos to the most receptions (25) and yards (392) for a SFU pass catcher in two years. Ten different receivers made a grab during the course of the season, with the top four receivers combining for 62 receptions for 991 yards. Terell Smith made the longest grab of the season, a 72-yard touchdown pass from Max Ward on the Red Flashs first play from scrimmage at No. 17 James Madison.   The Saint Francis receivers hauled in 111 passes for 1,414 yards in 2012 under the eye of Wright. The Red Flash also caught 14 touchdown passes for the second consecutive season as the team set a school record with 39 team touchdowns. A.J. Alexander hauled in five touchdown passes to lead the team.   Wright directed the Red Flash receiving corps to 1,928 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns in 2011. The Saint Francis receiving boasted three receivers with a 13-yards per catch average or better in 2011 including Alexander, who averaged 19.6-yards per catch. With Wrights guidance, Alexander ranked up 490 total receiving yards and six touchdowns to lead all Red Flash receivers in 2011.   Under Wright in 2010, the receivers group posted 1,358 yards receiving and snagged 12 touchdown passes. Senior Omar Winston led the way of all receivers by recording 413 receiving yards and six touchdowns.   In 2009, with Wrights guidance, senior receiver Antoine Rivera recovered from a serious knee injury to end up a Second-Team All-Northeast Conference performer. Rivera finished the season with 53 catches for 689 yards and four touchdowns. Riveras 4.82 receptions per game ranked tied for third in the conference, his 62.6 yards per game fourth, and his four touchdowns sixth.   Before coming to Saint Francis, Wright was active in coaching both Greater Johnstown and Central Cambria High Schools, working with quarterbacks and wide receivers. In 2007 and 2008, Wright helped the Central Cambria reach the District 6 championship game. Wright also helped the Red Devils to a pair of District 6 championships in 1995 and 1996.   In 2002, Wright guided the Greater Johnstown Trojans to the District 6 championship game. The Trojans went on to win the title in 2003 and compete in the state quarterfinals.   Prior to his coaching career, Wright played four seasons at Towson University as a wide receiver.Brian Wright

Hutchison also helps with the special teams units.   The running back and tight end units helped the Saint Francis offense to rank second in the NEC and 49th in the FCS in scoring, averaging 28.2 points per game, in 2015.  SFU also ranked second in the league in rushing, gaining 158.7 yards per contest.   Senior Khairi Dickson was named First Team All-NEC for the second straight year after rushing for 1,003 yards and eight touchdowns on 184 carries.  Dickson averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 100.3 yards per game.  He ranked second in the NEC and 15th in the FCS in rushing yards per game.  Dickson hit the 100-yard mark in six games this season, including five times in conference games.  Dickson was on the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year and CFPA National Performer of the Year Watch Lists.   Sophomore Marcus Bagley ranked fifth in the NEC in rushing yards per game.  Bagley totaled 626 yards and two touchdowns on 113 carries.  Bagley had three 100-yard games on the year.   At tight end, Frank Failace started nine games and tied a school record with three touchdown catches vs. Wagner.   On special teams, kicker Lance Geesey led the FCS in field goal percentage, making 16-of-17 attempts for 94 percent.  Geesey was also first in the NEC and sixth in the FCS in field goals made per game (1.6).  The First Team All-NEC selection hit 28-of-29 extra point attempts and led the conference in total points (76).  Geesey hit three or more field goals in three games.  The three-time NEC Special Teams Player of the Week honoree set a program and NEC-record with five field goals at Central Connecticut State.  For his efforts, Geesey was named STATS FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week.  He also punted during the last two games of the season, averaging 37.1 yards per kick.  Geesey was a finalist for CFPA Kicker of the Year.    Junior kick returner Lorenzo Jerome led the nation in kick return average, with 31.2 yards per return to earn First Team All-NEC honors.  Jerome totaled 531 yards on two touchdowns on 17 returns.  Jerome had a school-record 99-yard return for a touchdown at Towson.  Three weeks later, Jerome returned the opening kickoff at East Tennessee State 98 yards for a score.  The Florida native also returned punts with 101 yards on 15 returns.  Jerome was a finalist for STATS FCS National Returner of the Year.    Zack Drayer handled the punting duties for most of the season, averaging 34.9 yards per punt and placing 10 inside the 20-yard line.  During the 2014 campaign, Hutchison mentored kicker Lance Geesey to an All-NEC First Team selection, as the redshirt sophomore had easily the best season for a kicker in Red Flash history. The redshirt sophomore made 18-of-22 field goal attempts, the most in the conference and fourth most in the FCS. The 18 makes were a school record, shattering the 11 he made last season to tie Josh Thiel. He also led the NEC in field goal percentage, converting on 81.8 percent of his kicks.   Prior to his role at Saint Francis, Hutchison served as the wide receivers and defensive backs coach for Hollidaysburg Area High School for the varsity program. He also was given more responsibilities with the junior varsity program, where he was named the offensive coordinator.   Hutchison attended Temple University from 2006 until 2010, where he earned his bachelors of arts in criminal justice. While at Temple, he was a two-year letterman where he played wide receiver, defensive back and started on special teams. He received the J. Myron Honigman Award for Spirit, Dedication and Loyalty in his senior season and played in the Eagle Bank Bowl in 2009. Hutchison returned to his alma mater in 2013 in a coaching capacity in which he assisted the wide receivers coaches while also helping with film and football operations.   Hutchison resides in Hollidaysburg.  Josh Hutchison