Saint Francis Football Team Announces Three Coaching Changes For 2007 Season
LORETTO, Pa. (July 9, 2007) – Saint Francis head football coach Dave Opfar has announced three changes on his coaching staff heading into the 2007 campaign, which kicks off with a 1 p.m. contest on Sept. 8 against Morehead State, at DeGol Field.
All three additions have previous ties to the Red Flash. Former linebacker Michael Craig has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach, while Ralph DelSardo returns to the staff after serving one season at Morehead State and former offensive lineman Ryan Faraci makes the jump from player to coach.
“I am very excited to continue a great working relationship with Michael Craig, Ralph DelSardo and Ryan Faraci,” said Opfar, who is entering his sixth season at Saint Francis. “Michael and Ryan have both played a vital part in the program we are trying to build at Saint Francis. They understand where we have been and I think that is important in continuing our growth as a football team. Ralph was with us two years ago and left for a fulltime position at his alma mater. We missed him greatly last year, and we are looking forward to having his expertise back on our side.”
Craig, who graduated in May of 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, served as a graduate assistant coach during the 2006 season, but has been elevated to a full-time assistant this season. He will serve as special team’s coordinator, and will oversee the linebackers and strength & conditioning. Craig was a four-year starter while playing for the Red Flash, and served as a team captain in 2005.
DelSardo returns to the Red Flash coaching staff as a fulltime assistant coach after serving last season as the wide receivers coach at his alma mater Morehead State. He spent the 2005 season as a graduate assistant under Opfar, and was in charge of wide receivers that season. DelSardo will serve as Saint Francis’ Quarterbacks Coach and Passing Game Coordinator in 2007. While at Morehead State last season, he recruited the areas of western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia, in addition to assisting with the strength & conditioning program.
Faraci will make the jump to graduate assistant coach after an outstanding four-year career with the Red Flash, and will serve as an assistant offensive line coach. He was an anchor of Saint Francis’ offensive line which paved the way for a record-setting passing attack in 2004 and 2005 before smashing the team record for rushing yards (1,871) in 2006. He helped the Red Flash offense break the team record for total offense in 2004 and 2005, and the 2006 offense produced the second-most total yards in program history.