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| Dan Puckhaber has been the offensive coordinator for St. Lawrence for the past four seasons. He played at Ithaca. St. Lawrence athletics photo |
After a national search, veteran assistant coach Dan Puckhaber was selected to lead the St. Lawrence football team.
Puckhaber fills the position left vacant when Mark Raymond left to take the head coaching job at Williams in February. He is the 23rd head coach in the program’s history.
"I am excited about the future of the program that I have helped to build over the past six years,” said Puckhaber. “I would like to thank President (William L.) Fox, (athletic director) Bob Durocher and the search committee including (associate athletic director) Randy LaBrake for the opportunity to be the head coach at St. Lawrence. We have had a good run over the past few years and I am confident we can continue to build the program that has established itself as a power in the Liberty League and the region.”
Puckhaber was named the acting head coach for the past month as the team started its spring practice sessions.
Puckhaber was hired in the summer of 2010 to coach offensive line, and was promoted to offensive coordinator prior to the 2012 season. Since taking over as the offensive coordinator, he has led the Saints to three consecutive winning seasons with a 7-3 mark in 2013, an 8-2 record in 2014 and an 8-3 record in 2015. The three straight winning seasons were the first since 1976-1978 and the 16 victories in the past two seasons is tied for the best in school history with 16 in both 1976-77 and 1975-76.
The Saints were ranked first in the Liberty League in passing efficiency, passing yards and completion percentage as well as in nine different individual offensive categories.
Puckhaber was a decorated student-athlete before graduating from Ithaca with a Bachelor of Science degree in December 2003. A certified strength and conditioning coach, he was a four-year contributor for the Bombers at defensive end, and helped Ithaca to a 32-12 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance while on the team. In his senior season, Dan was a First Team All-Empire 8 selection and a Second Team All-ECAC honoree. He was also the recipient of the Jim Butterfield Memorial Award and the Honorary Defensive Captain Award.
Following his playing career at Ithaca, Puckhaber worked with the Bombers football team as an assistant coach. He assisted with the offensive line, linebackers and fullbacks in his two-year stint, while gaining experience for game preparation and recruiting. In the summer of 2006, Puckhaber played professionally abroad for the Bolzano Giants of NFL Italy. His efforts at his alma mater and professional career landed him an offensive intern coaching position at Muhlenberg in 2006. While at Muhlenberg, Puckhaber was responsible for all video work for the offense and special teams and coaching the running backs.
The Saints open the 2016 season Sept. 2 with the first-ever night game at Leckonby Stadium hosting Morrisville State in a 7 p.m. contest.