By By Ryan McCord
Efficient offenses are a dime a dozen in college football, but when you commit to line up for the Blue & Gold’s spread attack, you have a chance to be a part of something special.
Pride offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Warren Ruggiero is the conductor of the Pride’s offense, also known as the “Long Island Express.” As long as this offense has Ruggiero calling plays and recruiting top notch talent, you can rest assured the Pride will continue to compete in the Atlantic 10-the most competitive conference in division I-AA.
Ruggiero, in his sixth season with the Pride, has made a career out of mentoring quarterbacks and running passer-friendly offenses. The New Jersey native spent his collegiate playing career backing up future NFL MVP Rich Gannon with the University of Delaware Blue Hen. Growing up playing the leadership position of quarterback and having good coaches who looked out for his future coaching aspirations catapulted his career after his senior season.
“[Head] Coach Raymond pretty much told me he would have a position on the staff waiting for me after I graduated,” Ruggiero said.
Without hesitation, Ruggiero took the graduate position for a year and after bouncing around with various coaching positions at Defiance and Clarion Colleges, a head coaching gig came calling in 1997.
“My proudest moment has to be the accomplishment of becoming the first head coach at Glenville State to lead the program to the NCAA playoffs and leaving with the highest winning percentage in school history,” he said.
While Ruggiero’s coaching knowledge is far from intermediate and the Pride offense continues to be in the top 20 in many I-AA offensive statistical categories, he could never spend too much time prepping for this team to get better. While many students are waking up for their first class, Ruggiero has already put in a full work day.
“I’m here anywhere from 5:30 in the morning until nine or 10 at night during the season,” he said. “Nearly every day in the off season its seven days a week, five days on the road.”
Ruggiero can talk x’s and o’s with the best of them. The Pride made last week’s win against Rhode Island look rather easy, however, prepping against an offense that features the option doesn’t come around more than once a season.
The Pride’s offense has to play defense in a way, keeping the chains moving and the clock ticking so their own team defense gets as much rest as possible. As complicated as it may sound to game plan for, why isn’t the option used as much as it once was?
“It’s the me generation, everybody wants to go to the NFL and make a lot of money. Therefore, it becomes hard to recruit individuals who will sacrifice a few more touches during the game in order for the team to have success,” said Ruggiero, who was the halfback and tight end coach at William & Mary before arriving at the University.
Fortunately for the coaching staff, hot dogging and me-first attitudes are hard to come by for the Pride football team. Ruggiero made it clear that his group of football players is dedicated to winning and achieving the teams goals week in and week out.
“We have good players who follow direction, want to win, play hard and love football,” he said. “And that’s all we can ask for as a coaching staff.”
For fans, alumni, future players and supporting students, there should be no concern about the intelligence, commitment and attitude that Ruggiero brings to the table each year. He is the ultimate football fan and coach, dedicating himself to the offensive side of the ball year round, with the exception of Christmas and a few weekends. So what does Ruggiero want in return?
“Just as long as I can keep coaching, make enough money to support my family and be in a position to have success with a chance to win week in and week out,” he said. “I’m happy.”