Rhodes announced today the selection of Dan Gritti as head
football coach. Gritti comes to Rhodes from the University of
Chicago, where he served the past two seasons as the defensive
line/linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. Chicago
finished the season at 8-2 and won the University Athletic
Association title.
Gritti replaces Joe White, who compiled a 64-71 record in 14 seasons.
“The moment I stepped on campus I knew what a special
place Rhodes is,” said Gritti. “I am excited about
building a championship football team at a school with such high
academic standards. I look forward to meeting the football players
and letting them know how excited I am to lead this
program.”
With the assistance of Gritti, Chicago ranked in the top 10 in the
country in several defensive and special teams categories. The
Chicago defense ranked third in Division III in sacks and tackles
for loss. They tied the NCAA Division III record for most punts
blocked for touchdowns in a season.
Prior to being on the staff at Chicago, Gritti served as the
defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Middlebury in
Vermont from 2005-08. Middlebury's 2007 team won the NESCAC league
championship and their defense ranked No. 3 statistically in
Division III.
While a student at Vanderbilt, Gritti served as a student
assistant with the Commodore football program. He graduated from
Vanderbilt in 1995, then earned his law degree from Wisconsin in
1998. Gritti practiced for six years at the prestigious Littler
Mendelson firm in New York City.
In 2003 Gritti decided to forego his career as a lawyer and pursue
his dream of being a college football coach. He reconnected with
Gerry DiNardo at Indiana, who was the head football coach at
Vanderbilt when Dan served as a student assistant. Gritti served
for two years as a graduate assistant at Indiana.
"Dan Gritti brings unique qualities to Rhodes College and the Lynx
football program," said Rhodes athletic director Mike Clary.
"Beyond being an excellent football coach, Dan has lived and
breathed the joys and rigors of being a Dean's List undergraduate
and law student. We're also very excited about his interest and
abilities to engage our alumni, parents, faculty and staff to
provide the best academic and co-curricular opportunity for our
football team."