TCNJ names Goff new head coach
EWING » The College of New Jersey has a new man in place to lead the football program.
The school announced Monday it has hired Defiance College (Ohio) coach Casey Goff to spark a program that has struggled in recent years.
“TCNJ is an institution with a rich athletic history and outstanding academic reputation and I’m pumped to be a part of this program,” Goff told the school’s athletic website. “We are going to hit the ground running and get TCNJ football back where it belongs.
“I’m excited to be competing in one of the best conferences in the country and I’m eager to meet the challenge it presents. TCNJ has given me and my family a tremendous opportunity and I’m going to pour myself into this thing. I’m in it for the long haul.”
Goff begins his duties as head coach on July 24 as he prepares the Lions for their season opener on Sept. 1 against FDU-Florham.
Goff takes over for Rocky Hager, who served as TCNJ’s interim coach during last season’s 2-8 campaign. The Lions have floundered since Eric Hamilton was forced to resign following the 2012 season, posting a 13-26 record in the last four seasons.
Goff, a 1999 graduate of Susquehanna University, hopes to change that. He guided Defiance to a 5-5 record, the Yellow Jackets’ best mark since 2010, in his only season as head coach. Prior to his tenure at Defiance, Goff was the defensive coordinator at Salve Regina (Rhode Island) and Kings College (Pennsylvania).
“The first steps are to get the team on our page and secure the 2017 staff,” said Goff, who will keep Hager on as a full-time assistant. “I’m eager to reach out to everyone and let them know about me and my expectations, and obviously, answer any questions they have to make this process as seamless as possible. I’m also eager to get rolling with coach Hager and make sure that we do everything in our power to prep this team to win ball games this fall.”
Goff’s appointment marks the first hire for new athletic director Amanda DeMartino, who was hired last month.
“(Goff’s) extensive knowledge of and experience in Division III football combined with his passion, energy and commitment to the development of the well-rounded, student-athlete make him an excellent fit for TCNJ Athletics,” DeMartino said.