Mangone turning Brockport into a Div. III power

Jason Mangone has spent half his life at The College at Brockport, although the western New York school’s 41-yearold football coach hadn’t seen a Golden Eagles season quite like 2017.

Mangone, who started at Brockport as a player and has been on the coaching staff since 1999, led the Golden Eagles to an undefeated regular season, the most wins in school and conference history (13) and the school’s first semifinal play- off appearance. Mangone’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed by the American Football Coaches Association, which tapped him as a finalist for Division III Coach of the Year.

“My original intention was to be here for two or three years to get my master’s and then venture off,” said Mangone, who played quarterback for two seasons at Brockport. “Then I was promoted to offensive coordinator at age 26 (ahead of the 2004 season), and before I knew it, I was named the head coach in 2013. Time flew by.”

Brockport secured the Empire 8 Conference title and defeated Plymouth State, Wesley and Delaware Valley in the playoffs to become one of the final four teams in the Division III playoffs.

“This is the first recruiting class by our staff from top to bottom,” said Mangone, who had nine seniors starting on offense and defense. “These group of seniors were with us for four years, so they knew what the expectations were. They knew the work ethic required to be part of it.”

The run ended when top-ranked Ma- ry Hardin-Baylor jumped out to a threetouchdown lead in the first quarter en route to a 24-0 victory.

“It took some time to settle in, but I think they realized they can play with an upper-echelon team,” Mangone said of the Golden Eagles’ semifinal loss.

Mangone joins Mike Sirianni (Washington & Jefferson), Tony Kunczewski (Berry ), Troy Abbs (Trine University) and Rick Willis (Wartburg) as D-III finalists. The winner will be revealed at the American Football Coaches Awards presented by Amway on Jan. 9.