coaching staff -...

COACHING STAFF

f o o t b a l l

2003

2002 LAMBERT MEADOWLANDS CUP WINNER/ 2002 ECAC TEAM OF THE YEAR/ 2002 NCAA I-AA PLAYOFF SEMIFINALIST

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HEAD COACH ANDY TALLEY

Villanova head coach Andy Talley will be walking the sidelines forthe 24th season as a collegiate head coach, including his 19th asthe Wildcat leader in 2003. The winningest coach in school histo-

ry, Talley’s has compiled a 125-73-1 record on the Main Line. During the1999 season, Talley garnered yet another coaching milestone when herecorded his 100th career win at Villanova with a 31-28 victory atAtlantic 10 rival New Hampshire. On Oct. 5, 1996, Talley registered his100th career coaching win in a 38-27 victory at Connecticut. His 24-yearoverall coaching mark currently stands at 153-91-2 and his 153 wins rankhim eighth on the NCAA I-AA active coaching victory list as well as 17thnationally in winning percentage.

Last year, Talley led Villanova to unchartered territory as theWildcats advanced to the semifinal round of the NCAA Division I-AAplayoffs for the first time in school history. Last season’s playoff berthmarked the sixth time in his 19-year career that Talley has guidedVillanova to a playoff appearance. Also, last season, Talley and theWildcats won both the ECAC Team of the Year Award and the LambertMeadowlands Cup for the second time in school history.

In 2001, Talley guided Villanova to a share of the Atlantic 10Championship with an 8-3 overall record and a 7-2 conference mark. Thiswas the fourth conference title for Talley during his Villanova career. Also,in 2001, Wildcat running back Brian Westbrook became the secondVillanova player to win National Player of the Year accolades under Talley’stutelage when he garnered the Walter Payton Award as the top player in allof NCAA I-AA football. Wide receiver Brian Finneran won the same awardin 1997. Villanova and the University of Idaho are now the only two schoolsto have two Walter Payton Award winners in its history. Westbrook finishedoff his illustrious career by becoming the first Wildcat football player to bedrafted to the pros since Howie Long in 1981. Westbrook was selected bythe Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

In 1997, Talley led his Wildcats to the first-ever undefeated, untiedregular season in Villanova gridiron history. While leading his troops tothe undefeated campaign, Talley also guided the Wildcats to a No. 1national ranking for the final six weeks of the regular season. This wasthe first time in school history that a Villanova football team was rankedNo. 1 in the polls. On their way to being named the 1997 ECAC Team ofthe Year, Talley and the Wildcats set 41 school records. After claiming theinaugural Atlantic 10 championship in 1997 with a perfect 8-0 conferencemark, Talley and his team were rewarded for their fine season with a bidto the NCAA I-AA playoffs. In the playoffs, Villanova accomplishedanother first, as the ’Cats claimed the school’s first-ever I-AA playoff winwith a 49-28 victory over Colgate. In the quarterfinals, Villanova’s dreamseason came to a close with a hard-fought 37-34 defeat to eventualNational Champion Youngstown State.

When you have a season like Talley and the Wildcats had, individ-ual honors are sure to follow. For his efforts in 1997, Talley won virtual-ly every coaching award possible. At a banquet in New York City in earlyDecember, Talley was presented the prestigious Eddie Robinson Awardas the nation’s top coach in all of I-AA. A few weeks later, he garneredthe AFCA/GTE National Coach of the Year Award. As part of winningthis distinction, Talley was selected to serve as an assistant coach at the1998 Hula Bowl. In Hawaii, Talley assisted then Ohio State head coachJohn Cooper, serving as the secondary coach for the North squad. In addi-tion to these awards, Talley was named the recipient of the first-everAtlantic 10 Coach of the Year Award.

Individually, many of Talley’s 1997 players had numerous honorsand awards bestowed upon them. Led by All-American wide receiverBrian Finneran (currently a member of the Atlanta Falcons), Villanovahad 11 players earn All-Atlantic 10 honors and seven players claim All-ECAC distinction. In addition, sophomore quarterback Chris Boden wasnamed to a number of All-America teams.

On Sept. 30, 1995, Villanova defeated the University of Buffalo,28-3, giving Talley his 67th win as Villanova’s head coach, and helpinghim surpass Harry Stuhldreher, who was one of the Four Horsemen, for

the most victories in Villanova football history. About to enter his 19thseason on the Main Line, Talley can feel responsible for every facet of theVillanova program, having started it from scratch in 1985. Talley’s suc-cesses have been numerous during his Villanova tenure. When he arrivedon May 29, 1984 as the school’s 29th head coach, there was no team. Theprogram had been dropped following the 1980 campaign and had nowbeen restored, with Talley being given the job of building a program. Heset out to build not only a winning team, but one that alumni all over thecountry could be proud of.

In his first season, Talley guided the Wildcats to a perfect 5-0 in alimited schedule and since that season Talley has not let his troops lookback. Dating back to that opening campaign, Talley has led Villanovateams to NCAA Division I-AA Playoff appearances in 1989, 1991,1992, 1996, 1997 and 2002. His 1989, 1991, 1997 and 2001 teamswere Conference champions, while the 1992 and 2002 squads werevoted the Lambert Meadowlands Trophy champions as the top I-AAteam in the East.

Before coming to Villanova, Talley served as the head footballcoach at St. Lawrence University, where in 1982, he led St. Lawrenceto the Division III Lambert Meadowlands Trophy as the top team in theEast. That year, Talley was named the American Football CoachesAssociation/Kodak Division III Region I Coach of the Year, as well asthe Metropolitan New York Sportswriters/ECAC Coach of the Year,which were the same awards he would go on to win in 1991 at the I-AAlevel at Villanova.

Entering the 2003 season, Villanova head coach Andy Talley ranks eighth on theNCAA Division I-AA active coaches list for career victories.


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Not only has he won as a head coach everywhere hehas been, but Talley has been associated with nothing butwinning programs since his coaching career began in1967. The record of all his teams as both an assistant anda head coach is a gaudy 231-111-4.

In addition to the great teams he has built, Talley hasalso been able to lead great players as evidence by thenine first team All-Americans he has coached atVillanova. The first was offensive guard Paul Berardelliwho earned American Football Coaches Association(AFCA)/Kodak All-America honors in 1988. CenterBryan Russo also earned AFCA/Kodak honors as well asSports Network mention while a member of the 1989NCAA I-AA playoff team. Linebacker Curtis Eller wastwice an AFCA/Kodak first team selection for the 1991and 1992 playoff teams and garnered Associated Presshonors in 1992. Eller, who was a two-time YankeeConference Defensive Player of the Year selection in1991 and 1992, was also named to the YankeeConference 50th Anniversary Team.

In 1994, junior linebacker Tyrone Frazier wasnamed AFCA/Schooner’s and Sports Network first teamAll-American, while in 1997 wide receiver BrianFinneran earned All-America honors from every organi-zation, in addition to being named the Walter PaytonAward as the nation’s top I-AA offensive player. Finneran was alsonamed Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and ECAC Player of the Year. Ayear earlier in 1996, Finneran earned All-American honors from theAFCA. Also, in 1997, quarterback Chris Boden earned numerous All-American accolades including selection to the Walter Camp All-AmericaTeam. In 1998, sophomore running back Brian Westbrook earned firstteam All-American honors from both the Associated Press and The SportsNetwork. In addition, Westbrook became the only player in the history ofNCAA football at any level to rush for 1,000 yards and have 1,000 receiv-ing yards in the same season. During the 1999 season, wide receiverMurle Sango received second team All-American acclaim after setting aschool record with 98 receptions.

In 2001, Westbrook earned the Walter Payton Award as the I-AANational Player of the Year, in addition to being a first team All-American, the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year and the ECACOffensive Player of the Year. Westbrook also was selected to play intwo prestigious postseason All-Star games including the Senior Bowland the Hula Bowl. Last season, quarterback Brett Gordon was nameda Walter Camp All-American as well the Atlantic 10 and ECACOffensive Player of the Year.

For Talley, however, these accomplishments are not enough. Perhapsof greater importance to Talley than wins, losses and athletic accolades arethe types of students and people that his program turns out. In the last 17years, Villanova has had nine Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.On the 2002 Atlantic 10 Conference All-Academic team, the Wildcats wererepresented by 13 players, more than any other team in the league.

Away from the football field, Talley is appreciative of the opportu-nities provided to him through athletics, and is continually looking togive something back to others. The area off the field to which he dedi-cates most of his time is the National Bone Marrow Foundation. With thisgroup, he works to have potential bone marrow donors entered in anational bone marrow registry, increasing the odds of a needy patientbeing able to find a “match” for their bone marrow. Leading this fightlocally, he has rallied most of the Philadelphia-area college footballprograms in his “Football United for Life” campaign. Since November 1,1993, he has been responsible for over 3,000 people being tested with theNational Bone Marrow Donor Program.

Talley also often acts as a featured speaker at many business andcommunity functions. He initiated the St. Christopher’s Hospital forChildren visitation program in which players visit the hospital once a

month during the school year to spend time with sick children. Healso serves on the American Football Coaches Association All-American selection committee and is the chairman of their summermanual committee. He acts as Chairman of the National FootballFoundation and Hall of Fame screening committee as well asPresident of the National Football Foundation and Hall of FamePhiladelphia Chapter. In December of 2000, Talley was one of twochapter presidents to be honored by the National Football FoundationHall of Fame and received an award for his leadership of thePhiladelphia Chapter at the famous Waldorf Historia Hotel. Talleywas also given a Lifetime Achievement Award in January of 2000 bythe All-American Football Foundation.

Talley’s coaching career began at Simsbury (Conn.) High School in1967 where he was an assistant coach for two years. In 1969, he becamethe defensive secondary coach at Springfield (Mass.) College for oneyear and then was the offensive backfield coach at Middlebury (Vt.)College from 1970-73.

Talley had his first experience of rebuilding a program when hebecame the offensive backfield coach at Brown University in 1973.Having experienced several losing seasons prior to 1973, Talley was onthe staff while they compiled a 36-15-2 overall record in six seasons,including the school’s only Ivy League title in 1976.

From there he was named the head coach at St. LawrenceUniversity, a position he held until his appointment at Villanova in May,1984. Talley rebuilt the St. Lawrence program, and led the Saints to a 28-18-1 record in five seasons, including an undefeated regular season in1982 when he advanced to the NCAA Division III semi-finals.

A graduate of Haverford (Pa.) High School just five minutesfrom the Villanova campus, Talley is a native of Bryn Mawr, Pa.During the winter of 1996, Talley was inducted into the HaverfordHall of Fame. He played four seasons at defensive back for SouthernConnecticut University, graduating with honors in 1967. In the springof 1998, Talley was inducted into the Southern Connecticut Hall ofFame. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from SouthernConnecticut in 1969.

Talley and his wife, Arlene, reside in Berwyn, Pa. They are the par-ents of two children: Josh, 27, a graduate of both Brown University andVillanova’s Law School, who is currently a practicing lawyer inPhiladelphia; and Gina, 19, who is a sophomore at the University ofPennsylvania where she is a pitcher on the softball team.

ANDY TALLEY INSIDE THE NUMBERSCareer Victories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Villanova Victories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

Ranking among Villanova Coaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1st

Hall of Fame Inductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

RANKING AMONG CURRENT NCAA I-AAACTIVE COACHES

Career Victories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8th

Career Winning Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17th


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YEAR-BY-YEAR WITH HEAD COACH ANDY TALLEY

YEAR TEAM RECORD HONORS1979 St. Lawrence 3-6-01980 St. Lawrence 5-4-01981 St. Lawrence 5-4-01982 St. Lawrence 10-1-0 NCAA Division III semifinals; ICAC Conference Champions; ECAC Team of the

Year; Lambert Meadlowlands Trophy Division III; AFCA Region I Coach of the Year; New York Sportswriters/ECAC Coach of the Year.

1983 St. Lawrence 5-3-1 ICAC Conference Champion.TOTAL FIVE SEASONS 28-18-1 (.606)

1985 Villanova 5-0-01986 Villanova 8-1-01987 Villanova 6-4-01988 Villanova 5-5-1 4-4/T-3rd1989 Villanova 8-4-0 6-2/T-1st Yankee Co-Champions; NCAA Playoffs.1990 Villanova 6-5-0 5-3/T-2nd1991 Villanova 10-2-0 7-1/T-1st Yankee Co-Champions; NCAA Playoffs; AFCA Region I Coach of the Year; New

York Sportswriters/ECAC Coach of the Year.1992 Villanova 9-3-0 6-2/2nd NCAA Playoffs; Lambert Meadowlands Trophy Champions.1993 Villanova 3-8-0 1-7/6th*1994 Villanova 5-6-0 2-6/5th*1995 Villanova 3-8-0 2-6/5th* Became Villanova’s All-Time Winningest Coach1996 Villanova 8-4-0 6-2/T-2nd* NCAA Playoffs, Recorded 100th career win;1997 Villanova 12-1-0 8-0/A-10 champs Team of the Year; Undefeated regular season; Advanced to NCAA quarterfinals;

Eddie Robinson Award winner; AFCA/GTE National Coach of the Year; Atlantic 10Coach of the Year; Hula Bowl Assistant Coach

1998 Villanova 6-5-0 4-4/T-2nd1999 Villanova 7-4-0 6-2/3rd Recorded 100th win at Villanova2000 Villanova 5-6-0 3-5/7th2001 Villanova 8-3-0 7-2/T-1st Atlantic 10 Conference Co-Champions2002 Villanova 11-4-0 6-3/3rd NCAA I-AA semifinals; Lambert Meadowlands Trophy; ECAC Team of the Year

TOTAL 18 SEASONS 125-73-1 (.621)CAREER 23 SEASONS 153-91-2 (.614)

* In 1993, the Yankee Conference adopted two divisions, with Villanova in the Mid-Atlantic Division.

TALLEY’S TROPHY CASE

2002 NCAA semifinalistECAC team of the YearLambert Meadowlands Cup

2001 Atlantic 10 Conference Co-Champions1999 Tallied his 100th win as Villanova’s head coach1997 AFCA/GTE National Coach of the Year;

Eddie Robinson Award winner, Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach Hula Bowl

1996 Recorded 100th career win.1995 Became Villanova’s All-Time Winningest Coach1992 Lambert Meadowlands Trophy I-AA1991 Kodak/AFCA Region I Coach of the Year1991 Metropolitan New York Sportswriters/ECAC Coach of the Year1982 Lambert Meadowlands Trophy Division III1982 Kodak Coach of the Year1982 Metropolitan New York Sportswriters/ECAC Coach of the Year1982 New York Sportswriters Coach of the Year

6 AFCA All-American Football Players38 First-team Conference selections, 1988-9773 Conference All-Academic Team selections, 1988-9727 All-ECAC Team selections, 1985-971 ECAC Award of Valor recipient, 1990

15 Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-America selections, 1986-971 NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship recipient, 19882 National Players of the Year

Last season, Wildcat head coach Andy Talley led Villanova to its first semifinalappearance in school history.


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Away from the football field, Villanova University head football coach AndyTalley is actively involved in numerous community programs, but foremostamong his efforts has been the National Bone Marrow Donor Program.

Nationally, the odds are one in 20,000 of finding bone marrow donors forthose with life-threatening blood diseases, such as leukemia. For members of theAfrican-American community, the odds are even worse — one in one million.

Talley’s involvement in this national campaign began in 1992 when heraised more than $10,000 to determine the blood type of 200 individuals,with Villanova football student-athletes and his coaching staff serving asthe foundation. As a result of his success, in 1993 he secured a $60,000grant and organized the “Football United for Life” campaign, which attract-ed more than 950 potential bone marrow donors. That group included alarge number of student-athletes, primarily from the Villanova community,but also from many other Philadelphia-area college football programs.Among those programs participating were the football teams from theUniversity of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, Widener University,Swarthmore College, Cheyney University, Ursinus College and DelawareValley College.

Now in his 10th year of association with the bone marrow donor pro-gram, Talley continues his annual spring drive to get people tested andtyped in to the national registry. Since 1992, Talley’s efforts have resultedin over 3,000 potential donors being successfully tested and entered intothe registry.

Talley has also secured the commitment of the Villanova UniversityAlumni Association, and the 50 United States Villanova Alumni chapters totest nationwide. Eventually, Talley hopes to involve other major college foot-ball programs around the country.

“Athletes have been truly given great gifts, and this is one small way togive back to someone in great need,” Talley said. “Because coaches andathletes are in the public eye, we want to raise awareness that bone marrowdonors are needed. This is a great opportunity to give someone a secondchance in life.”

For further information on how you can be a part of the National BoneMarrow Donor Program, contact the Villanova Football offices at 610-519-4105.

Former Wildcat star and current Philadelphia Eagle Brian Westbrook (left) is one oftwo Walter Payton Award winners coached by Andy Talley.

FROM ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY:

Bill Kuharich, Director of Pro Personnel, Kansas City ChiefsMark Whipple, Head Football Coach, University of Massachusetts

FROM VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY:

Curtis Bray, Assistant Football Coach, University of PittsburghDave Clawson, Head Football Coach, Fordham University

Billy Crocker, Assistant Football Coach, University of AlbanyBrendan Daly, Assistant Football Coach, Oklahoma State University

John Donovan, Assistant Football Coach, University of MarylandPaul Ferraro, Assistant Football Coach, Rutgers University

Dan Fidler, Assistant Football Coach, Arizona State UniversityJim Fleming, Assistant Football Coach, University of North Carolina

Brian Flinn, Assistant Football Coach, Eastern Illinois UniversityGeoff Harlan, Head Football Coach, St. Anselm College

Brian Jones, Assistant Football Coach, University of MissouriDan MacNeill, Head Football Coach, State University College at Cortland

Greg Olejack, Scout, Kansas City ChiefsBob Shoop, Head Football Coach, Columbia University

FOLLOW THE LEADER

See Where Some of Andy Talley’s Past Assistant Coaches Are Today

FIGHTING FOR A CAUSE

Talley’s Fight for the Bone Marrow Donor Program


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ASSISTANT COACHES

MARK FERRANTE

Assistant Head CoachOffensive Line Coach

In his 17th season on the Villanova coaching staff,Mark Ferrante enters his fifth year as Assistant HeadCoach in 2003. Besides serving as Andy Talley’s

right-hand man, Ferrante will continue to coach theWildcat offensive line. On the recruiting front, Ferrante will oversee Villanova’snational recruiting efforts as the program’s Recruiting Coordinator. His specificrecruiting areas will consist of Eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New York.

Under Ferrante’s tutelage, the Villanova offensive line is traditionally oneof the best in the Atlantic 10 Conference. In 2001, Ferrante coached his second All-American in Eamonn Allen who earned first team All-American acclaim from theAssociated Press. Allen also earned first team All-East and first team All-Atlantic10 honors. Ferrante coached his first All-American in Bryan Russo in 1989. Lastseason, two of Ferrante’s pupils, Sean McCarthy and Mike Finn, were named thirdteam All-Conference. During his Wildcat coaching career, Ferrante has coachedeight All-East, seven first team All-Conference players and two All-Americans.

Joining the Villanova staff in February, 1987, Ferrante was already familiarwith head coach Andy Talley’s philosophy. Ferrante played quarterback for Talleybefore joining his coaching staff at St. Lawrence University. As a player, Ferrantewas team captain of the 1982 St. Lawrence team that finished 10-1 and made it tothe Division III national semifinals. In 1982, Ferrante was named the Division IIIPlayer of the Year, as well as earning first team All-East honors. He still holds theSt. Lawrence University school records for completions, yards passing and totalyards in a season. After one year as the St. Lawrence running backs coach, Ferrantewent on to Wagner College in 1984 where he coached the running backs beforejoining the coaching staff at Lafayette College from 1985-86.

Ferrante and his wife, Georgea, reside in Phoenixville, Pa., with theirseven-year old son, Jimmy.

JOE TRAINER

Defensive CoordinatorLinebackers Coach

Joe Trainer is in his seventh year with the Wildcatsand he will begin his fourth season as the team’sdefensive coordinator in 2003. Besides coordinating

the Villanova defense, Trainer will continue to coach theWildcat linebackers. Trainer’s specific recruiting areas include New England alongwith North and Central New Jersey.

Under Trainer’s direction last season, the Wildcat defense was one of themost improved units in the Atlantic 10, finishing second in the league in totaldefense (282.3 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense at 18.5 points pergame.

Last season, Trainer guided senior linebacker Jamison Young to third teamAll-Atlantic 10 distinction for the second consecutive season. In 2001, Young alsoled all of NCAA I-AA football in forced fumbles.

In 1999, Trainer coached senior linebacker Shaun Lyons to second teamAll-Atlantic 10 accolades. In addition, Lyons became just the second Wildcat torecord 400 career tackles.

Trainer came to the Main Line after serving as defensive coordinator at theUniversity of New Haven for two years. Trainer has also coached at ColgateUniversity, Frostburg State University and Temple University. He is a 1989 grad-uate of Dickinson College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.Trainer earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Temple in 1992.

Born March 6, 1968, Trainer and his wife, Moreen, reside in Lafayette Hill, Pa.,with their three-year son, Liam, and one-year old son, Dillon.

During his career as a Villanova assistant coach, Mark Ferrante has guidedseven players to All-Conference acclaim.

Defensive Coordinator Joe Trainer is in his seventh season as a Wildcatassistant in 2003.


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ASSISTANT COACHES

SAM VENUTO

Offensive CoordinatorQuarterbacks Coach

In his ninth season as a member of the Wildcatcoaching staff and fifth as the team’s offensivecoordinator is Sam Venuto. In his first four years as

offensive coordintaor, the Wildcats averaged 30.4points per game in 1999, 35.0 ppg., in 2000, 36.5 ppg., in 2001 and 29.9 ppg,last season. Besides handling the offensive coordinator duties, Venuto alsocoaches the Villanova quarterbacks. During his first four seasons on the MainLine, Venuto coached the Villanova wide receivers. He is also responsible for therecruitment of South Jersey, Delaware and parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Last season, Venuto help guide quarterback Brett Gordon to a season thatsaw him earn both the Atlantic 10 and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year Awardsand a second place finish in the Walter Payton Award balloting. The Payton Awardis given to the top player in NCAA Division I-AA football. In 15 games last year,Gordon completed 386-of-579 for a school record 4,290 yards and 36 touchdowns.The passing yards represents the first player in school history to reach the 4,000-yard plateau.

In 2001, Venuto helped senior running back Brian Westbrook earn theWalter Payton Award as the top player in Division I-AA football, as Westbrookamassed 2,823 yards of all-purpose offense in Venuto’s offensive scheme. This isthe second Wildcat to win the Walter Payton Award under Venuto’s direction. Asthe team’s receiver coach in 1997, Venuto guided wideout Brian Finneran tonumerous awards including ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, Atlantic 10Offensive Player of the Year and the Walter Payton Award. Finneran tallied aschool-record 96 receptions for a school-best 1,389 yards and a school-record 19touchdowns as a senior en route to becoming the all-time leading receiver inVillanova school history.

Venuto was also very instrumental in helping quarterback Chris Boden earnfirst team All-Conference honors for the second time in his career during the 1999campaign. In addition, Boden became just the 12th signal caller in the history ofNCAA football to throw for 10,000 yards and 100 touchdown passes in a career.

Venuto has had a wealth of coaching experience. Before Villanova, he wasthe tight ends coach and the head junior varsity coach at Cornell University. From1989-93, Venuto was the passing game coordinator and receivers coach at South-ern Illinois University. During the 1988 season, he was the assistant quarterbackcoach and receivers coach at the University of Illinois. Venuto spent three seasons(1985-87) as James Madison’s quarterbacks coach and one year (1984) as thelinebackers coach at Colby College. His coaching career began in 1982, whenVenuto was the freshman offensive line and linebacker coach at his alma mater,the University of Delaware.

While at Delaware, Venuto was a linebacker for the Blue Hens and was amember of the 1979 National Championship team. Venuto owns a BachelorDegree in Physical Education from Delaware and a Master’s Degree in Educationfrom James Madison.

Venuto and his wife, Diane, reside in Collegeville, Pa., with their seven-yearold daughter, Amanda, and five-year old son, Ricky.

Sam Venuto begins his fifth season asVillanova’s offensive coordinator in 2003.

DREW MAGINNIS

Wide ReceiversCoach

Drew Maginnis returns as wide receivers coachin 2003. After coaching at Villanova from1995-97, Maginnis spent the 1998 season as

the offensive coordinator at St. Anselm College. Intheir first year of football in 1998, Maginnis helped St. Anselm to a 5-1 recordas his offense averaged 24.0 points per game. From a recruiting standpoint,Maginnis is in charge of Maryland, Virginia and Georgia.

Under Maginnis’ guidance last year, senior wide receiver Brian White tal-lied 72 catches for 805 yards and eight scores en route to second team All-Conference acclaim. White finished his career with 178 receptions which ranksfifth all-time in school history.

In 2001, Maginnis helped Villanova wide receiver Murle Sango becomeone of the top playmakers in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Sango, who earnedthird team All-Conference acclaim, ended his Wildcat career second on theschool’s all-time reception list with 236 and is one of just three players ever inschool history to tally 200 or more receptions in his career. In 1999, Sango gar-nered All-American honors with a school record 98 receptions for 1,064 yardsand 10 touchdowns.

Prior to arriving at Villanova in 1995, Maginnis was the defensive coordi-nator at LaSalle College High School for one season. From 1991-93, he was anassistant football coach at Archbishop Wood High School.

A native of Philadelphia, Maginnis graduated from La Salle University inMay 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Maginnis is currentlypursuing his MBA from Villanova. Maginnis and his wife, Eileen, reside inArdmore, Pa., with their two-year old daughter, Kate, and one-year old son, Andrew.


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ASSISTANT COACHES/SUPPORT STAFF

CLINT WILEY

Defensive Line andDefensive Ends Coach

In his sixth season with the Wildcats is Clint Wiley,who will coach both the defensive ends and defen-sive line in 2003. His recruiting areas consist of

Western Pennsylvania and the Midwest.Last year, Wiley coached sophomore defensive end Terence Taylor to third

team All-Atlantic 10 distinction. In 14 games a year ago, Taylor registered 41 tack-les, eight quarterback sacks, nine pass break-ups and 4.5 tackles for loss.

In 2001, Wiley helped defensive lineman Kwesi Solomon earn All-Atlantic10 distinction for the third-straight year when Solomon was named second teamAll-Conference. Under Wiley’s guidance in 1999, Solomon led the team in sacksand was rewarded for his play by being named first team All-Atlantic 10.

Before arriving at Villanova, Wiley was the assistant defensive line coachat Boston University. He began his coaching career at Western Connecticut wherehe served as the Colonials’ defensive line coach.

Wiley attended Urbana University where he was a four-year starting defensivelineman. His best year came as a senior when he was team captain, defensive MVPand first team All-Mid States Conference. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in ElementaryEducation from Urbana in 1995 and he obtained a Master’s Degree in Education fromWestern Conn. in 1997. Born October 4, 1972, he is single and resides in Wayne, Pa.

APOLLO WRIGHT

Running BacksCoach

Returning for his third season on the Wildcat staffas the team’s running backs coach is ApolloWright. He is responsble for recruiting the state

of Florida for the Wildcats.In 2001, Wright helped running back Brain Westbrook rush for 1,603 yards

and 22 touchdowns en route to being the I-AA National Player of the Year, theAtlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the ECAC OffensivePlayer of the Year.

Wright came to the Main Line from La Salle University where he was thedefensive secondary coach from 1999-2000. In 1999, he was a graduate assistantat Wagner College. Wright began his coaching career with his first stint at La Salleas an assistant in 1998. He played four years of collegiate football at CheyneyUniversity, including a two-year period as the starting quarterback. Wright gradu-ated Cum Laude from Cheyney in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree inRecreation and Leisure Services. He earned a Master’s Degree in Education fromWagner College in 2001.

Wright is single and resides in Drexel Hill, Pa.

MARK REARDON

Defensive Backs CoachSpecial Teams Coordinator

Mark Reardon enters his third season as aVillanova assistant coach in 2003. In additionto coaching the Villanova secondary, Reardon

will be Villanova’s special teams coordinator. Hisrecruiting area will consist of the state of California.

Last year, Reardon helped safety Gary Johnson garner third team All-Conference acclaim. Under Reardon’s direction in 2001, Johnson led the Atlantic10 Conference in pass break-ups with 20.

Reardon came to Villanova after a three-year stint as an assistant atLafayette College. Most recently, Reardon was the secondary coach, recruitingcoordinator and specials teams coordinator at Lafayette. Prior to Lafayette, he wasthe Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach at Siena College from 1996-98. His first college job was from 1994-96 at the University of Albany. As a play-er at Lafayette, Reardon was a two-time All Patriot League performer, a four-yearletterwinner and team captain.

Reardon and his wife, Tiffany, and their one-year old daughter, Molly,reside in Ventnor Heights, N.J.

LOU FERRY

Administrative Assistant

Lou Ferry is in his 19th year as a member of AndyTalley’s coaching staff, but he has been a part ofVillanova since the Fall of 1945. One of the most

popular figures in the history of Villanova athletics,Ferry is one of 19 Wildcats to have his jersey retired in Villanova Stadium.

Ferry was a mentor to former All-Pro defensive lineman and current NFLHall of Famer Howie Long of the Los Angeles Raiders while Long played on theMain Line from 1977-80. Ferry also coached Willie Oshodin (Class of 1992) atVillanova who went on to play three seasons with the Denver Broncos.

As a player, Ferry was one of the best to ever wear the blue and white ofVillanova University. A four-year starter at both offensive and defensive tackle,Ferry was team captain of the 1948 Wildcat squad. During his collegiate career, heplayed in both the 1947 Great Lakes Bowl and the 1948 Harbor Bowl. After hisplaying days at Villanova, Ferry went on to play seven seasons in the NFL with theGreen Bay Packers (1949-50), Chicago Cardinals (1951) and Pittsburgh Steelers(1952-56).

Ferry first joined the Villanova coaching staff in 1960 when he becameVillanova’s defensive line coach. Ferry served as Villanova’s head coach for fourseasons between 1970-73 and part of the 1974 campaign, recording a 9-2-0 and6-4-1 seasons his first two years. Ferry compiled a 21-22-1 mark as the Wildcathead mentor. In 1975, he rejoined the Wildcat coaching staff as an assistant andserved as both the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. Ferry residesin Bryn Mawr, Pa.


VILLANOVAFOOTBALL

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ASSISTANT COACHES/SUPPORT STAFF

DR. WILLIAM EMPER

Team OrthopedicSurgeon

Returning to Villanova’s football sidelines again thisfall is Dr. William Emper, the ’Cats orthopedic surgeon. AHarvard University graduate, Emper completed his medical

studies at Harvard’s Medical School and was an All-Ivy League defensive back in1977. He is associated with Bryn Mawr Hospital as an orthopedic surgeon andsports medicine specialist.

DR. GREG NARZIKUL

TeamPhysician

Assisting the Wildcat football squad again this fall isDr. Gregory Narzikul. Narzikul is a 1984 VillanovaUniversity graduate, and completed his medical studies at

Thomas Jefferson Medical College in 1988. He is associated with Bryn MawrHospital in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and the Devon Family Practice in Devon, Pa.

SHAWN COOLEY

Assistant Strength & ConditioningCoach

Shawn Cooley begins his third season working with thefootball program in 2003. Cooley possesses more than 10years experience in the strength & conditioning field. After

graduating from Marietta College (Ohio) in 1989 with a Bachelor’s of ScienceDegree in Sports Medicine and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fitness Management, hespent five years as the fitness supervisor at Honda of America in Anna, Ohio. Hetraveled to Villanova in 1994, where he began his first stint as the assistant strength& conditioning coach. Cooley remained there until 1996, when he was named thehead strength & conditioning coach at Drexel University. During his three years atDrexel, he went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Education from Villanova.

After finishing work on his Master’s Degree, Cooley was named the assistantstrength & conditioning coach at the University of Cincinnati in 1999, where heremained until returning to Villanova in 2001 in the same capacity. Cooley and hiswife, Angela, live in Springfield, Pa., with their children — Jenna (5) and Garrett (2).

BRETT GORDON

AssistantCoach

Brett Gordon will take his talents from the playing fieldto the sidelines this year as he begins his coaching career in2003. As a senior quarterback last year, Gordon recorded

one of the best seasons in Villanova history, completing 386-of-579 (66.7 percent)for 4,290 yards and 36 touchdowns. The 4,290 yards represents the first Wildcatsignal caller in school history to surpass the 4,000-yard passing mark.

For his efforts last year, Gordon was named both theAtlantic 10 and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year and he was runner-up for theWalter Payton Award given to the top player in NCAA I-AA football.

During his illustrious Wildcat career, Gordon completed 833-of-1,246 for9,639 yards and 83 touchdowns. Gordon owns seven Villanova passing recordsincluding highest career completion percentage.

JUSTIN LUSTIG

AssistantCoach

Entering his first season as an assistant coach for theVillanova football team is Justin Lustig, who will helpcoach the Wildcat defensive unit in 2003. Lustig came to

the Main Line from Christopher Newport University where he was as an assistantcoach since 2001. While at Christopher Newport, he served as the defensivebacks coach and recruiting coordinator, as well as assisting with the program’sspecial teams.

Lustig is a 2000 graduate of Bucknell University with a Bachelor’s Degree inEnglish and History. He was a four-year starter for the Bucknell football team atstrong safety and cornerback. Lustig was voted as team captain of the Bison as asenior and earned the program’s captain award following the season.

COREY WENGER

AssistantCoach

Beginning his first season as an assistant coach for theVillanova football team is Corey Wenger, who will beresponsible for coaching the tight ends and assisting with

the offensive line in 2003. Wenger arrived at Villanova from Lafayette Collegewhere he was an assistant coach from 2002-2003.

Prior to coaching at Lafayette, Wenger was an assistant coach at theUniversity of Massachusetts-Lowell from 2001-2002. From 1998-2001, he was agraduate assistant coach at Shippenburg University. Wenger started his coachingcareer at Coral Gables Senior High School in Miami, Fla., as an assistant coachduring the 1996 season, before moving on to Miami-Coral Park Senior HighSchool in 1997.

Wenger began his collegiate studies at Robert Morris College where he playedwide receiver on the football team from 1994-95. He transferred to the Universityof Miami where he graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Hewould go on to earn his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Shippensburg in 2001.


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SUPPORT STAFF

REV. BERNARD LAZOR O.S.A.

TeamChaplain

Since 1976, Rev. Bernard A. Lazor has been chaplainto the Wildcat football team and also to the Wildcat men’sbasketball team since 1978. Lazor, a Villanova graduate, is

an assistant professor of religious studies at Villanova University. Lazor justrecently celebrated his 50th year in the priesthood.

JOAN MCGUCKIN

Coordinator ofFootball Operations

Returning for her seventh season on the football staffthis year is Joan McGuckin who will serve as theCoordinator of Football Operations. Before joining Andy

Talley’s staff, she was the Villanova Athletic Department Travel Coordinator from1983 until the Spring of 1997. McGuckin’s Villanova career began in 1976 whenshe worked as the football secretary under former Wildcat coach Dick Bedesem.She held this post until 1981. McGuckin and her husband John reside in Media,Pa. and are the parents of four children.

DEBBIE TAYLOR

FootballSecretary

Currently in her fourth season with the Wildcats isDebbie Taylor who will serve as Andy Talley’s Admin-istrative Assistant for Recruiting. Taylor will organize Villa-

nova’s national recruiting efforts on a daily basis.Taylor and her husband Jim reside in Havertown, Pa., and are the parents of

two adult children, Erin and Adam.

TOM DUNPHY

FootballEquipment Manager

Now in his second year on the Wildcat staff is assis-tant equipment manager Tom Dunphy, who will handle theequipment manager duties for the Villanova football squad.

Dunphy came to the Main Line from Northeastern University where he was thehead equipment manager from 1999-2002. Dunphy is a 20002 graduate ofNortheastern University where he earned a B.S. in Communication Studies andwas a member of the football team.

2003 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL STUDENT MANAGERSThe Student Football Managers are loyal members of the football program. They are primarily responsible for assisting with the day-to-day needs of the football program

including: Practice needs coordination, practice field set-up and break down, filming practice, game day set-up and break down, pre-game equipment reconditioning, and team trav-el needs coordination. Their efforts on and off the fields lead to efficient practices and excellent game day results.

The 2003 Student Managers include Anita Intorre, Jennifer Nunan, Cristina Carlos, Stephanie Iovieno and Dan Rutledge. Anita and Jen return for their third season, whileCristina, Stephanie, and Dan return for their second season with the Wildcats.

Cristina Carlos Anita Intorre Stephanie Iovieno Jennifer Nunan Dan Rutledge

NANCY WHITE

Associate Director ofAcademic Support

Nancy White is currently in her 19th year as a memberof the Villanova Athletic Department. From 1985-95, sheserved as the Coordinator of Acadmic Advising for Athletics.

In 1995, White was promoted to her current position of Associate Director ofAcademic Support. In this role, White oversees and monitors the acadmic progress ofall the Wildcat athletic teams. Before her arrival at Villanova, White was the FacultyAdministrator for the Dean of the School of Business at RPI College for 12 years. Sheand her husband Dave, who is Villanova’s Senior Associate Athletic Director, reside inBerwyn, Pa. They are the parents of three children.

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