Dave Cecchini named head football coach at Valparaiso
12/11/2013 9:19:00 AM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Valparaiso University in Indiana has named former Lehigh All-American wide receiver and assistant coach Dave Cecchini '95 its new head football coach. Cecchini spent the last four years as Lehigh's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in what was his second stint on the Mountain Hawks' coaching staff. He will be taking on his first head coaching job.
"I am very happy for Dave and his family to have this opportunity," said Lehigh head coach Andy Coen. "Dave is an outstanding coach but more importantly an outstanding person. I have no doubt that Dave is ready for the challenge of becoming a head coach, as I know this has been a goal of his for some time. I wish Dave all the best as he begins his career as a head coach, and I look forward to watching him build Valparaiso into a winner."
In his most recent stint at his alma mater, Cecchini helped elevate Lehigh's offense into one of the nation's elite units. With the emergence of productive quarterbacks and record-setting wide receivers, the Mountain Hawks posted a 39-9 record in Cecchini's most recent four seasons, winning back-to-back Patriot League championships in 2010 and 2011. Lehigh ranked in the top 25 nationally in passing offense in each of the last four seasons, highlighted by a fifth place finish in 2011 and a 14th place ranking in 2013. The Mountain Hawks ranked third in the nation in total offense in 2011 on their way to an appearance in the FCS quarterfinals.
Over the last four seasons, Cecchini showed a knack for developing successful quarterbacks and played a major role in the emergence of Chris Lum '12, who quarterbacked Lehigh to two Patriot League titles and in 2011, earned All-America honors and was the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award after throwing for a then-Patriot League record 4,378 yards and 32 touchdown passes.
Despite Lum's graduation, Lehigh still featured a strong offensive unit in 2012. The Mountain Hawks ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing offense and the top 35 nationally in total offense. Quarterback Mike Colvin earned second team All-Patriot League honors in his first season as a starter, and ranked fifth nationally in total offense. Colvin completed 61.5 percent of his passes and threw for 19 touchdowns while rushing for 11 more scores.
This past season saw the emergence of senior quarterback Brandon Bialkowski, who ranked among the FCS leaders in passing through eight games, despite not having thrown a pass in his first three seasons. Bialkowski completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,647 yards and 18 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury against Bucknell. He was still selected to the All-Patriot League second team.
Cecchini's offensive attack also produced several record-setting wide receivers. He returned to Lehigh in 2010 as the school's single-season record holder for both receptions (88) and receiving yards (1,318), establishing both in his 1993 senior season. In 2011, Ryan Spadola enjoyed an All-America junior campaign breaking both those records with 96 catches for 1,614 yards. That same year, Jake Drwal capped an impressive career with 92 catches. This past season, Lee Kurfis emerged as one of the top receivers in the FCS as he broke Spadola's single-season record with 99 receptions, while surpassing Cecchini for the second most yards in a single season with 1,351.
"The past four years at Lehigh have been the most rewarding years of my coaching career," Cecchini said. "I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish during that time, and remain extremely excited about the bright future of Lehigh football. Lehigh is a special place, and the decision to leave was a difficult one. I will miss the coaches, players, and administrators a great deal. That being said, I am eager to face new challenges as the head coach at Valparaiso University. Andy Coen has set a great example of how to run a successful Division I FCS football program, and I look forward to doing the same at Valparaiso."
Cecchini's first stint at Lehigh spanned nine seasons, including three as offensive coordinator where Lehigh posted a 31-6 record, won two Patriot League titles and made two FCS quarterfinal appearances. During the 2001 and 2002 seasons Cecchini served as Lehigh's assistant head coach. He coached quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs and tight ends at some point during his time in the Brown and White.
Following his first stint at Lehigh, Cecchini spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Harvard and then four seasons as the offensive coordinator at the Citadel.
Cecchini takes over a Valparaiso program that posted a 1-10 record in 2013, including a 1-7 mark in the Pioneer Football League.
Coen will now begin the process of hiring Cecchini's replacement. The Mountain Hawks finished the 2013 season with an 8-3 record.
"I am very happy for Dave and his family to have this opportunity," said Lehigh head coach Andy Coen. "Dave is an outstanding coach but more importantly an outstanding person. I have no doubt that Dave is ready for the challenge of becoming a head coach, as I know this has been a goal of his for some time. I wish Dave all the best as he begins his career as a head coach, and I look forward to watching him build Valparaiso into a winner."
In his most recent stint at his alma mater, Cecchini helped elevate Lehigh's offense into one of the nation's elite units. With the emergence of productive quarterbacks and record-setting wide receivers, the Mountain Hawks posted a 39-9 record in Cecchini's most recent four seasons, winning back-to-back Patriot League championships in 2010 and 2011. Lehigh ranked in the top 25 nationally in passing offense in each of the last four seasons, highlighted by a fifth place finish in 2011 and a 14th place ranking in 2013. The Mountain Hawks ranked third in the nation in total offense in 2011 on their way to an appearance in the FCS quarterfinals.
Over the last four seasons, Cecchini showed a knack for developing successful quarterbacks and played a major role in the emergence of Chris Lum '12, who quarterbacked Lehigh to two Patriot League titles and in 2011, earned All-America honors and was the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award after throwing for a then-Patriot League record 4,378 yards and 32 touchdown passes.
Despite Lum's graduation, Lehigh still featured a strong offensive unit in 2012. The Mountain Hawks ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing offense and the top 35 nationally in total offense. Quarterback Mike Colvin earned second team All-Patriot League honors in his first season as a starter, and ranked fifth nationally in total offense. Colvin completed 61.5 percent of his passes and threw for 19 touchdowns while rushing for 11 more scores.
This past season saw the emergence of senior quarterback Brandon Bialkowski, who ranked among the FCS leaders in passing through eight games, despite not having thrown a pass in his first three seasons. Bialkowski completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,647 yards and 18 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury against Bucknell. He was still selected to the All-Patriot League second team.
Cecchini's offensive attack also produced several record-setting wide receivers. He returned to Lehigh in 2010 as the school's single-season record holder for both receptions (88) and receiving yards (1,318), establishing both in his 1993 senior season. In 2011, Ryan Spadola enjoyed an All-America junior campaign breaking both those records with 96 catches for 1,614 yards. That same year, Jake Drwal capped an impressive career with 92 catches. This past season, Lee Kurfis emerged as one of the top receivers in the FCS as he broke Spadola's single-season record with 99 receptions, while surpassing Cecchini for the second most yards in a single season with 1,351.
"The past four years at Lehigh have been the most rewarding years of my coaching career," Cecchini said. "I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish during that time, and remain extremely excited about the bright future of Lehigh football. Lehigh is a special place, and the decision to leave was a difficult one. I will miss the coaches, players, and administrators a great deal. That being said, I am eager to face new challenges as the head coach at Valparaiso University. Andy Coen has set a great example of how to run a successful Division I FCS football program, and I look forward to doing the same at Valparaiso."
Cecchini's first stint at Lehigh spanned nine seasons, including three as offensive coordinator where Lehigh posted a 31-6 record, won two Patriot League titles and made two FCS quarterfinal appearances. During the 2001 and 2002 seasons Cecchini served as Lehigh's assistant head coach. He coached quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs and tight ends at some point during his time in the Brown and White.
Following his first stint at Lehigh, Cecchini spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Harvard and then four seasons as the offensive coordinator at the Citadel.
Cecchini takes over a Valparaiso program that posted a 1-10 record in 2013, including a 1-7 mark in the Pioneer Football League.
Coen will now begin the process of hiring Cecchini's replacement. The Mountain Hawks finished the 2013 season with an 8-3 record.
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