Colbert named coach of reborn Saint Vincent football team
Bob Colbert said most football coaches think they can do anything, such as turning a struggling program into a winner in a short time.
That's why Colbert, the newly named coach at Saint Vincent College and a Pittsburgh native, is looking forward to restarting the college's football program, which was discontinued in 1962.
Colbert, 58, was officially named the school's new coach Thursday and he said he's eager to get started. His official first day on the job will be Jan. 9.
Saint Vincent will begin play in the Division III President Athletics Conference in 2007.
"I like the challenge of starting something from scratch," said Colbert, the brother of Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert and father of Pitt graduate assistant Bret. "I like what the school offers educationally. I though it would be a great fit for me and my family."
The announcement was made through a news release from Saint Vincent College Vice Chancellor and President James F. Will.
"I am delighted to announce that Bob has enthusiastically accepted the challenge of building our new football program," Will said. "Bob's extensive experience at Bridgewater College has prepared him to create a program that will bring success to our students both on the field and in the classroom."
College officials said they decided to restart football in recognition of the sport's popularity and to contribute to the enhancement of weekend campus life in the fall.
Colbert served as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the past eight years at Bridgewater, an NCAA Division III school in Virginia. Bridgewater had one of the most potent offenses in Division III, and the school had the winningest college program in the state the past six years (64-11).
"I helped turn Bridgewater around," Colbert said. "We turned the program, which hit rock bottom, into one of the strongest in Division III. Six of our losses came in the playoffs. We were only one of three teams in Division III that have made the playoffs the past six seasons."
Colbert said when he arrives in Latrobe, he'll start forming a coaching staff. He said he wants players and coaches with vision and who want to be pioneers. He'll probably hire three or four full-time coaches and some part-timers.
"My first priority is forming a staff that has good character, who are good role models, have solid football knowledge and who are willing to work hard," Colbert said. "Recruiting in Division III is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to work hard to get players."
Division III school do not offer athletic scholarships, but that doesn't concern Colbert, who hopes to have players on campus this fall.
"Scholarships in Division III are based on need," Colbert said. "I'm not sure what type of packages the school is putting together. It will be new for them, but not new for me."
Colbert hopes to develop rivalries with PAC schools Washington & Jefferson, Waynesburg, Westminster and Thiel.
"I'd like to see us become a player in the conference quickly," Colbert said. "I'm familiar with a couple of the teams. Bridgewater played W&J three times and Waynesburg and Thiel one each in the playoffs. We were 4-1."
Saint Vincent officials have not said where the team will play home games, but Latrobe's Memorial Stadium and a new facility on campus are options, Colbert said.
"It's a great thing playing games on campus," Colbert said. "I'm not sure what we're going to do."
Colbert said he hopes to capitalize on the Steelers' use of the Saint Vincent facilities for training camp.
"I know the (Baltimore) Ravens practice at McDaniel College (Westminster, Md.) and it's been beneficial for the college," he said. "I think that the Saint Vincent campus community, as well as many area residents, will really enjoy the program. I know that Latrobe is a great all-American city and is widely known as a great football town."
Additional Information:
Bob Colbert's bio
Age: 58
Family: wife Christine (32 years), daughter Cara (27), son Bret (25).
High school: Pittsburgh North Catholic (1965).
College: University of Maryland (1971).
Coaching experience (36 years): head coach Gallaudet University (1970-1971); defensive backs coach Colgate University (1972-1975); assistant to defensive staff with Washington Redskins (1976); administrative assistant at Baltimore Colts coach Ted Marchibroda (1977-1979); defensive coordinator at Ohio Wesleyan (1980-1982); receivers coach and special teams coordinator at Cornell (1983-1989); offensive line coach at Dartmouth (1990); offensive coordinator at James Madison (1991-1994); quarterback coach and offensive coordinator at Massachusetts (1996-1997); assistant head coach, offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at Bridgewater College, Va. (1998-2005).
