Joe Conlin Named Head Football Coach at Fordham University

Bronx, N.Y. (December 22, 2017) – Joe Conlin, who served as associate head coach/offensive coordinator at Yale for the past four years, was named head football coach at Fordham University it was announced today by director of athletics Dave Roach.
 
"After an extensive search, we are excited to welcome Joe Conlin to Fordham," said Roach. "We believe he is one of the top young coaches in the country who truly cares about the welfare of the student-athlete which makes him a perfect fit for Fordham. We look forward to Joe translating the great success he had at Yale where he led the Bulldogs to the 2017 Ivy League title, to Rose Hill. It's an exciting day for Fordham and I look forward to working with Coach Conlin as he takes over the helm of our program."
 
"In Joe Conlin we will have a coach who knows how to win, how to hold his student athletes to the highest standards on and off the field, and who understands the importance of academic excellence in athletics," said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. "I am deeply pleased that the team will be in good hands."
 
"Karen and I are honored to be a part of the Ram family and I'm excited to lead a Patriot League program that has been as successful as Fordham is recent years," said Conlin, whose grandfather was a cousin of Fordham basketball Hall of Famer Ed Conlin. "From step one of this process to its culmination, I have been nothing but impressed by the University and all who support Ram Football. We're eager to get started, get to know the men on the team, and hit the recruiting trail."
 
Conlin, who completed his sixth season at Yale in 2017, was named the Joel E. Smilow '54 Offensive Coordinator at the school in 2014.
 
In 2017, Yale ended a 37-year drought when it beat Harvard 24-3 in the 134th edition of The Game to win the Ivy League Title. Yale improved from 3-7 in '16 to 9-1 in '17 and its offense improved in nearly every key statistical category under Conlin's leadership.
 
Last fall, the Yale offense ranked 12th in the NCAA FCS in total offense (450.7 yards/game) and 13th in passing efficiency (152.41) while also ranking in the top 22 in the NCAA FCS in red zone offense (14th), rushing offense (14th), scoring offense (14th) and fewest sacks allowed (22nd).
 
Conlin arrived at Yale as the offensive line coach in 2013 before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2014. His 2014 season was a great start as the Yale offensive coordinator. The Bulldogs, who went 8-2, led the NCAA FCS in total offense (ranking third among all NCAA schools), while running back Tyler Varga (points per game) and wide receiver Grant Wallace (yards per game) led the FCS in offensive categories. In addition, his quarterback, Morgan Roberts, was tops in the Ivy in almost every statistic before finishing his career in 2015 as one of Yale's all-time best.
 
Conlin, also the offensive line coach, has done great things with the guys up front. The stats tell most of the story, but there are other accomplishments. His 2013 (and 2014) starting five began every game, the only Ivy League school to accomplish that, while three of the five earned All-Ivy League honors. His latest honoree was Luke Longinotti, a first-team All-Ivy center.
 
Conlin came to New Haven after spending the 2011 season as the offensive line coach at Harvard, helping the Crimson win an Ivy League title while setting a school scoring record.
 
Most of Conlin's coaching experience was at FCS power New Hampshire, where he helped the Wildcats to seven straight NCAA playoff appearances from 2004 to 2010. During his tenure at UNH, Conlin served as the offensive line coach in 2009 and 20010 but also worked with the defensive line, safeties and special teams for a program that went 65-25 and won one conference championship.
 
Conlin, a three-year starter at defensive tackle at the University of Pittsburgh, coached the defensive line at West Virginia Tech in 2003, a year after graduating. His Pittsburgh head coach, Walt Harris, selected him as a game captain four times. Conlin earned a degree in administration of justice in 2002.
 
He also gained coaching experience at Greensburg Central Catholic High School from 2002-03 where he worked with the tight ends and defensive ends while also handling strength and conditioning.
 
Conlin, his wife, Karen, and daughters, Hannah and Katie, currently reside in Southington, Conn.
 
Fordham is planning a press conference and meet and greet for Coach Conlin in early January.
 
 
The Joe Conlin File:
Age: 38
Alma Mater: Pittsburgh '02
Family: Wife, Karen, daughters, Hannah and Katie


College Coaching Experience:
2014-2017: Yale (Associate Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line)
2012-2013: Yale (Offensive Line)
2011: Harvard (Offensive Line)
2009-2010: New Hampshire (Offensive Line)
2008: New Hampshire (Defensive Backs)
2004-2007: New Hampshire (Defensive Line)
2003: West Virginia Tech (Defensive Line)
 

 
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JOE CONLIN
 
Yale Head Coach Tony Reno
 
"I'm so proud of Joe and what's he's accomplished to this point, not only at Yale but prior to his time here. I consider him one of my closest friends and he was the first person I called when I got the head coaching job at Yale. Joe has been instrumental is building the program here and was a big reason we won the Ivy League title this year. I'm excited for Joe and his wife Karen and their kids. Fordham made the best decision possible and they are getting an exceptional coach and a great person."
 
 
New Hampshire Head Coach Sean McDonnell
 
"Joe is an unbelievable person and a very good football coach who was a great coordinator at Yale. It was tremendous to see his progression from New Hampshire to Harvard to Yale and now I'm excited to see him take that next step as a head coach. This is an outstanding opportunity for Joe and a great get for Fordham."
 
 
 
Mississippi State Head Coach Joe Moorhead
 
"I've known Joe since his time as a player at Pitt. He combines incredible intelligence with a blue-collar work ethic. I'm confident he'll do a great job at Fordham."