Former Lehigh All-American wide receiver Dave Cecchini ’95 is in his first season as the Mountain Hawks Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. Cecchini, who spent the previous four years serving as Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach at The Citadel, previously served on the Lehigh coaching staff in a number of capacities, including Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator from 2001 through 2003. “It’s a special feeling to be back at Lehigh,” Cecchini said. “Anytime you have a chance to come back to your alma mater and a place you love is special. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to get to work”

He continued, “First and foremost the reason I returned here is Andy Coen. Andy is a very good friend and a great coach and I’m looking forward to working with him. I hope to bring the knowledge that I’ve gained from my time at The Citadel and Harvard and bring a part of what I’ve learned to help augment the offense here at Lehigh.”

“I am very pleased to have Dave Cecchini return as our Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach,” Coen explained. “Dave is an outstanding football coach who has experienced success ay every school he’s coached at and I’m looking forward to working very closely with him as we did during out prior stint at Lehigh together (in the mid to late 90’s).”

He continued, “I’m sure the entire Lehigh community will be excited to have Dave back home. He is a very bright football mind who has been able to adapt his offensive philosophy to three different programs and been able to best utilize the players in that particular program to achieve success. I look forward to Dave putting his personal touch on our program.” He went onto add, “I like the fact that Dave is familiar with Lehigh. Being an alum he has a strong passion for the University and with him coming back to join our staff we now have three former Lehigh football players on staff along with (Special Teams/Running Backs Coach) R.J. Ryan ’99 and recently added (Assistant Defensive Backs Coach) Ernest Moore ’08.”

Cecchini will have the luxury of working with a Lehigh offense that returns nine starters for the 2010 campaign, including a pair of All-League linemen and an All-Patriot League running back. In addition, the Mountain Hawks top five pass catchers return after combining for over 1,800 receiving yards and 142 receptions in 2009. Rising senior JB Clark also comes back after starting 19 games and throwing for over 3,800 yards and 36 touchdowns at quarterback for the Brown and White over the course of the past two seasons.

During his time at The Citadel Cecchini mentored one of the nation’s top wide receivers in Andre Roberts, who earned First Team All-America honors following his junior season when he set school records for receptions in a season (95), yards (1,334) and touchdown receptions (14). Cecchini also coached the first pair of receivers since 1983 and second in school history to earn over 100 yards receiving in the same game in Roberts and Scott Flanagan.

In 2007 the Bulldogs set 16 team or individual offensive records, including points scored in a season (39.45 ppg), total offense per game (437.55 ypg) and passing yards per game (245.7 ypg). That team ranked fourth in all of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) in scoring and 11th in total offense and finished with the school’s best record in 15 years. Cecchini’s 2006 offense was the most improved in all of I-AA football, rising from a national ranking of 113th in 2005 to 33rd in 2006.

Prior to landing at The Citadel, Cecchini directed one of the Ivy League’s most explosive offenses at Harvard University from 2003 through 2006. Cecchini, who also served as Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach, helped the Crimson set 14 team or individual offensive records, including points in a season (33.9 ppg) during his tenure. He was awarded with the Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach award from AAFCA in 2005 after leading Harvard’s offense to the number-one Ivy League ranking in aggregate offense.

Harvard’s 2004 squad posted a perfect 10-0 record and won the Ivy League championship with Cecchini directing an offense that led the Ancient Eight in scoring, total offense, rushing and pass efficiency and also committed the fewest number of turnovers in the entire league. Cecchini’s 2003 offense ranked fourth in the nation in total offense averaging 461 yards per contest.

“I know our players will enjoy working closely with Coach Cecchini,” Coen added. “He was an integral part of the football program’s success at Lehigh University when he was previously here and he has proven himself to be an outstanding Quarterbacks Coach after developing Ryan Fitzpatrick into an NFL-caliber quarterback at Harvard University.”

Cecchini spent nine seasons at Lehigh, working alongside Coen for six of those years as the Brown and White had one of the nation’s most proficient and explosive offenses. During Cecchini’s time in South Bethlehem Lehigh averaged more than 350 yards of offense and over 26 points per game. In his three years directing Lehigh’s offense, the Mountain Hawks went a combined 31-6, captured a pair of Patriot League titles and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs on two occasions.

In 2001 the Mountain Hawk offense led the nation in average yards per pass attempt (9.2) and they led the Patriot League in fewest turnovers, scoring (38.3 ppg), total offense and pass efficiency. The 2000 offense ranked first in the league in scoring, pass efficiency, yards per rush and fewest turnovers. The 2000 and 2001 Lehigh teams posted a combined 21-0 regular season record.

During the 2001 and 2002 seasons Cecchini served as Lehigh’s assistant head coach. He also held the position of Quarterbacks Coach, Wide Receivers Coach, Running Backs Coach and Tight Ends Coach at some point during his time in the Brown and White.

Cecchini remains one of Lehigh’s most accomplished football players in the program’s storied history after garnering First Team All-America recognition from multiple outlets as a wide receiver during his undergrad days. In 1993 Cecchini established school and Patriot League records for receptions (88), receiving yards (1,318), and touchdown catches (15) and he led the nation in receptions and receiving yards per game. Cecchini’s seasonal records are still atop the leader board in Lehigh’s record book.

Cecchini received his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Lehigh in 1995 and joined the Mountain Hawks coaching staff that following fall.

Cecchini and his wife Tammy have two sons, Evan and Will.

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