Drach in running for post at Union

Jonathan Drach has come to Union College several times as the enemy. He could be the next man to lead the Union football program.

Drach, head coach at Division III Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, confirmed he is a candidate to replace Jon Poppe, who left after one season to become head coach at Columbia.

“What’s interesting about (Union) is it’s a fantastic academic institution,” Drach said Thursday evening. “It’s a place that’s had a tremendous amount of success both academically and athletically. I think it’s a place you can win a lot of football games and have great people around you. It makes it a really, really unique place as far as the college itself goes.”

Drach said he visited Union, which is also Division III, before Christmas to interview for the job. It’s a trip to which he’s accustomed. He was an assistant coach at Liberty League rival Hobart for 11 seasons, the final three as offensive coordinator, before taking the Wilkes job in 2018.

“I’ve been there a number of times in my time at Hobart,” said Drach, who added with a laugh, “It’ll be interesting to see how they feel about that.”

Drach declined to say whether Union offered him the job.

“At this point, that is between me and the admissions office and the academic office and their athletic offices,” he said. “Until there’s something that’s final there, I’m not at liberty to say.”

Asked if there’s a timetable for a resolution, Drach deferred to Union athletic director Jim Mclaughlin, who texted, “No decision has been finalized at this point.”

“I think from where they’re at right now, they’re trying to do their due diligence,” Drach said. “I know they’re deep in their process and when you know, I’ll probably know as well.”

Union alumni trustee Pete Haviland-eduah, a former Garnet Chargers football player, said the interview process is complete and he anticipates a decision and announcement to be made before the end of the weekend.

At Wilkes, Drach has a 32-20 record over five seasons. He went 5-6 overall and 4-2 in league play this season as Wilkes moved into the Landmark Conference. The Colonels made a trip to the Capital Region in September, losing 38-14 to RPI in their first meeting with the Engineers.

During Drach’s time at Hobart, the Statesmen won six Liberty League championships, made seven NCAA playoff appearances and had three straight undefeated regular seasons.