URI hires alum as new football coach

By: Jon Brierly

Posted: 9/12/08

09/12/08 - For too long, the University of Rhode Island football program has been seen in a negative light, acting as the object of jokes among students. Thankfully, however, the losing seasons of recent may now become a thing of the past due to one man.

New head coach Darren Rizzi, hired last December, looks to be just what Rhody football needs to get back on the winning track. A 1992 alumnus and first team All-American tight end his senior year, Rizzi looks to change the football culture on campus right away.

"With anything in life, if you approach it with the right attitude, you can accomplish it," says Rizzi. "That's the biggest thing we need to do here. The perception about the program needs to change, and it starts with the people walking around here."

That seems to be the first step in this new era on the Ram gridiron. Six consecutive losing seasons have clearly lowered the student body's enthusiasm when it comes to football, at least a little. Rizzi asks that the students take it upon themselves to change that.

"There's no ceiling to as how high we can go," he says. "The university has so much to offer. You have all the resources you need. This is something that can be done if all the tools are in the right place, and I feel that they are."

It had long been Rizzi's dream since he graduated to someday come back and make a contribution to the program. The team's struggles were reason for consideration until he saw the commitment from URI Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn.

"The university made a great hire in Thorr Bjorn," said Rizzi. "I really feel like I've entered a partnership. We share the same goals, visions, energy, enthusiasm. It's great coming to work every day knowing the athletic director is on the same page as you."

The support given from the Athletic Department as well as the university administration isn't the only reason to feel confident about the future of Rhody football. Rizzi already has the experience of altering a program into a winning team.

Before URI hired him, Rizzi coached for six years as the special teams and linebackers coach with Rutgers University. A longtime cellar-dweller in the Big East conference, Rutgers needed the same type of jumpstart Rhode Island football needed. Rizzi and his fellow coaching staff used the same strategy of "changing the culture." Positive attitudes and approach to the game by players, coaches and fans were stressed.

By the end of his tenure at Rutgers, Rizzi had helped guide the Scarlet Knights to their first bowl bid in 2005. The next year, they were ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation and finished No. 12 after capturing their first bowl win in school history.

Rizzi hopes to have the same success at his alma mater. "I bleed Rhody blue," he said. "It's great to be doing this at a place where you love."

He said that football is his passion and doesn't consider it to be work. "I wake up and come out here to do what I love doing," Rizzi said.

The Rams will bring their 1-1 record against No. 10 University of New Hampshire tomorrow at home.