Lehigh University Athletics
Coen announces new titles for three members of Lehigh coaching staff
2/3/2017 12:08:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head coach Andy Coen has announced several changes to the Mountain Hawks' coaching staff. Offensively, Scott Brisson has been elevated to Offensive Coordinator and will also coach Lehigh's quarterbacks. On defense, Defensive Coordinator Joe Bottiglieri will continue to coach Lehigh's linebackers, while also assuming the title of Senior Advisor to the Defensive Staff. Secondary coach Craig Sutyak has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator.
Brisson recently completed his third season in his second stint on the Mountain Hawks' staff, coaching Lehigh's wide receivers while also serving as Recruiting Coordinator. He replaces Drew Folmar, who spent three seasons as Lehigh's Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach but departed in January to assume the same position at Elon University.
"Scott has done a really nice job for us as an assistant coach over two different stints," Coen said.
"I've seen him grow tremendously from this first stint here to where he is now. He worked hand-in-hand with Coach Folmar and I have no doubt that Scott will be able to do a great job as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with our football program."
Last season, Brisson mentored an outstanding group of receivers, who helped Lehigh rank sixth nationally in passing offense. The leader of the group was junior Troy Pelletier, who led the Patriot League with 96 catches and 1,278 yards and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the outstanding offensive player in the FCS. Junior Gatlin Casey enjoyed a breakout season on the outside opposite Pelletier, earning first team all-league laurels after averaging 18.3 yards per reception with a team-best 14 touchdown catches. In the slot, seniors Derek Knott and Trevor Socarras combined to catch 99 passes for 1,098 yards and four touchdowns.
As recruiting coordinator, Brisson led the recruiting efforts that brought in Lehigh's three most-recent classes, including the Class of 2021 announced earlier this week. The first two recruiting classes under Brisson's watch included All-Patriot League performers Dominick Bragalone and Ed Mish, as well as a number of first and second year student-athletes who contributed to Lehigh's 2016 Patriot League Championship.
Brisson returned to Lehigh in 2014 after a successful four-year run serving as the Offensive Coordinator, among other responsibilities at both St. Lawrence University and Lycoming College. In his first stint at Lehigh, Brisson worked with Lehigh's running backs and wide receivers in 2008 and 2009. Among his pupils were record-setting wide receivers Jake Drwal '12 and Ryan Spadola '13, who both rank in the top ten in school history for career receptions and receiving yards.
Coen explained the thought process that went into the defensive staff changes.
"Following a successful run by our defense over the latter part of the Patriot League season, I wanted to find the best way to maintain our current staff," he said. "I was very impressed with how well coach Bottiglieri and coach Sutyak worked together. With these factors in mind I worked with both coaches to make changes regarding titles."
Sutyak also completed his third season on Lehigh's staff. In 2016, Lehigh's secondary showed significant improvement, as the Mountain Hawks ranked third in the Patriot League in pass defense. After registering just five interceptions in 2015, Lehigh picked off 17 passes in 2016, with the secondary accounting for 10 interceptions. Cornerback Brandon Leaks earned second team All-Patriot League honors, sophomore safety Sam McCloskey tied for the team lead with three interceptions and a freshman, Riley O'Neil started all 12 games at free safety. Sutyak also coached cornerback Olivier Rigaud to all-league honors in 2015 and has been instrumental in the development of Lehigh's secondary.
Before coming to Lehigh in 2014, Sutyak spent the previous eight seasons as the Defensive Coordinator and defensive backs coach at Franklin & Marshall College, where his units were among the stingiest in the Centennial Conference. In eight seasons, his defensive players earned 27 All-Centennial Conference honors.
A coaching veteran with more than 40 years of experience, Bottiglieri completed his fourth season in his second stint on Lehigh's staff. Bottiglieri returned to Lehigh in 2013 to coach the Mountain Hawks' linebackers, and added the Defensive Coordinator title a year later. He also served as Lehigh's defensive coordinator in 1998 and 1999 where he worked alongside Coen, who was the Mountain Hawks' offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the time.
Bottiglieri led Lehigh's defensive resurgence in 2016 as an improved defensive unit played a key role in the Mountain Hawks' Patriot League championship campaign. Lehigh allowed just 23.5 points per game during the 11-game regular season and shut out opponents in the second half of three victories. The Mountain Hawks allowed just 418 yards of offense per game, highlighted by limiting Georgetown to just 177 in a 35-3 victory. Lehigh increased its big play productivity with 27 sacks, 17 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
An experienced trio of senior linebackers helped lead Lehigh's defensive improvement. The Mountain Hawks' three starting linebackers were also the teams' top three tacklers with Evan Harvey and Colton Caslow both recording 72 and Pierce Ripanti adding 70. Caslow led the Mountain Hawks with a team-high 10 tackles for loss and also added 3.5 sacks and an interception as he earned his third All-Patriot League honor. Ripanti came on late in the season with three sacks and an interception, while Harvey tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
Before returning to Lehigh in 2013, Bottiglieri spent 12 seasons as a high school football coach in the Lehigh Valley, with one season at Allentown Central Catholic before moving to Emmaus High School, where he amassed a 70-51 record and led the Green Hornets to seven postseason appearances in 11 years.
"The duties will stay the same," Coen said. "Coach Bottiglieri will now engage with all of our defensive players, not just our linebackers, during practice."
The Mountain Hawks won their 11th Patriot League football championship in 2016 and following a 9-3 campaign finished the season ranked in both major FCS polls. Lehigh is currently in the midst of offseason workouts and will begin its spring practice segment on March 24.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season
Brisson recently completed his third season in his second stint on the Mountain Hawks' staff, coaching Lehigh's wide receivers while also serving as Recruiting Coordinator. He replaces Drew Folmar, who spent three seasons as Lehigh's Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach but departed in January to assume the same position at Elon University.
"Scott has done a really nice job for us as an assistant coach over two different stints," Coen said.
"I've seen him grow tremendously from this first stint here to where he is now. He worked hand-in-hand with Coach Folmar and I have no doubt that Scott will be able to do a great job as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with our football program."
Last season, Brisson mentored an outstanding group of receivers, who helped Lehigh rank sixth nationally in passing offense. The leader of the group was junior Troy Pelletier, who led the Patriot League with 96 catches and 1,278 yards and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the outstanding offensive player in the FCS. Junior Gatlin Casey enjoyed a breakout season on the outside opposite Pelletier, earning first team all-league laurels after averaging 18.3 yards per reception with a team-best 14 touchdown catches. In the slot, seniors Derek Knott and Trevor Socarras combined to catch 99 passes for 1,098 yards and four touchdowns.
As recruiting coordinator, Brisson led the recruiting efforts that brought in Lehigh's three most-recent classes, including the Class of 2021 announced earlier this week. The first two recruiting classes under Brisson's watch included All-Patriot League performers Dominick Bragalone and Ed Mish, as well as a number of first and second year student-athletes who contributed to Lehigh's 2016 Patriot League Championship.
Brisson returned to Lehigh in 2014 after a successful four-year run serving as the Offensive Coordinator, among other responsibilities at both St. Lawrence University and Lycoming College. In his first stint at Lehigh, Brisson worked with Lehigh's running backs and wide receivers in 2008 and 2009. Among his pupils were record-setting wide receivers Jake Drwal '12 and Ryan Spadola '13, who both rank in the top ten in school history for career receptions and receiving yards.
Coen explained the thought process that went into the defensive staff changes.
"Following a successful run by our defense over the latter part of the Patriot League season, I wanted to find the best way to maintain our current staff," he said. "I was very impressed with how well coach Bottiglieri and coach Sutyak worked together. With these factors in mind I worked with both coaches to make changes regarding titles."
Sutyak also completed his third season on Lehigh's staff. In 2016, Lehigh's secondary showed significant improvement, as the Mountain Hawks ranked third in the Patriot League in pass defense. After registering just five interceptions in 2015, Lehigh picked off 17 passes in 2016, with the secondary accounting for 10 interceptions. Cornerback Brandon Leaks earned second team All-Patriot League honors, sophomore safety Sam McCloskey tied for the team lead with three interceptions and a freshman, Riley O'Neil started all 12 games at free safety. Sutyak also coached cornerback Olivier Rigaud to all-league honors in 2015 and has been instrumental in the development of Lehigh's secondary.
Before coming to Lehigh in 2014, Sutyak spent the previous eight seasons as the Defensive Coordinator and defensive backs coach at Franklin & Marshall College, where his units were among the stingiest in the Centennial Conference. In eight seasons, his defensive players earned 27 All-Centennial Conference honors.
A coaching veteran with more than 40 years of experience, Bottiglieri completed his fourth season in his second stint on Lehigh's staff. Bottiglieri returned to Lehigh in 2013 to coach the Mountain Hawks' linebackers, and added the Defensive Coordinator title a year later. He also served as Lehigh's defensive coordinator in 1998 and 1999 where he worked alongside Coen, who was the Mountain Hawks' offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the time.
Bottiglieri led Lehigh's defensive resurgence in 2016 as an improved defensive unit played a key role in the Mountain Hawks' Patriot League championship campaign. Lehigh allowed just 23.5 points per game during the 11-game regular season and shut out opponents in the second half of three victories. The Mountain Hawks allowed just 418 yards of offense per game, highlighted by limiting Georgetown to just 177 in a 35-3 victory. Lehigh increased its big play productivity with 27 sacks, 17 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
An experienced trio of senior linebackers helped lead Lehigh's defensive improvement. The Mountain Hawks' three starting linebackers were also the teams' top three tacklers with Evan Harvey and Colton Caslow both recording 72 and Pierce Ripanti adding 70. Caslow led the Mountain Hawks with a team-high 10 tackles for loss and also added 3.5 sacks and an interception as he earned his third All-Patriot League honor. Ripanti came on late in the season with three sacks and an interception, while Harvey tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
Before returning to Lehigh in 2013, Bottiglieri spent 12 seasons as a high school football coach in the Lehigh Valley, with one season at Allentown Central Catholic before moving to Emmaus High School, where he amassed a 70-51 record and led the Green Hornets to seven postseason appearances in 11 years.
"The duties will stay the same," Coen said. "Coach Bottiglieri will now engage with all of our defensive players, not just our linebackers, during practice."
The Mountain Hawks won their 11th Patriot League football championship in 2016 and following a 9-3 campaign finished the season ranked in both major FCS polls. Lehigh is currently in the midst of offseason workouts and will begin its spring practice segment on March 24.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
K
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballTuesday, December 02
Thursday, November 20
Friday, November 14
Friday, October 31
