By Stephen Cooney

When head football coach Dave Cohen arrived at Hofstra University in 2005 many aspects of the program changed. Many of these changes were substantial and difficult to set in motion. The team switched from a pro 3-4 defense to a four-man line and a form of a 4-3. The team switched from a completely spread offense to Pro-set. Whenever a new coach takes over a program there is a new philosophy and team dynamics. The easiest transition for the Pride was in understanding the football and team philosophy.

Cohen’s philosophy is simple. Compete on every single snap and to graduate well rounded men from his program. This may sound like a general idea for every program but Cohen believes in the ideas of competition and well-rounded football players.

“I didn’t decide to do this to be a babysitter.” said Cohen when discussing his job as head football coach of the Pride. “When a player leaves the program I want their cup to be full. I want them to have reached their full potential.”

Cohen believes the only way a players cup can be com full is if they are well rounded as an individual and not just as a football player. Cohen believes that academic achievements are just as important for athletic achievements on the football field.

“Someone who is responsible in the classroom and as a person is a better football player.” Cohen said. “Individuals who over achieve as a person are the best football players.” Cohen also believes that there is more to an individual than ability and those individuals that are willing to compete in every aspect of life achieve the most success.

Cohen’s program is continuing to build on the success and the ideas of his philosophy. “We are a lot closer then we were a year ago.” Cohen said.

The Pride have improved from Cohen’s first season. They went from 2-9 a year ago, and have a current season record of 6-2. Even though the Pride are on a two game losing streak Cohen’s competitive philosophy will give them a chance to get back on the right track.

Cohen’s philosophy is based in competition and he believes in it “Compete harder than everyone else and the winning will take care of itself.”

Cohen also stresses the importance of learning in his own job. “I am learning how to be a good head coach every day.” Cohen said. “Unfortunately you learn more from lack of success than you do when you succeed.”

The idea of learning from lack of success is prevalent in Cohen’s history at Hofstra. If the team can learn from the lack of success in the last two games the way they did from last season’s 2-9 record, then the future of the season looks bright.

The second year coach of the Hofstra Pride Football team, Dave Cohen. (Hofstra University)