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| Wilkes athletics photo |
Last season, Wilkes set a program record for losses, going 0-10 and suffering through the program's first winless season since 1981. Following the departure of Trey Brown, the Colonels have brought in Jonathan Drach to coach the team in 2018.
As the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Hobart, Drach was instrumental in leading the Statesmen to six Liberty League championships, seven NCAA playoff appearances (three with a win, including a trip to the national quarterfinals) and three consecutive undefeated regular seasons.
Brown was let go in November following the 0-10 season. He was 7-33 in four years at the helm.
Wilkes athletic director Addy Malatesta announced the selection of Drach to pilot the Colonels following the conclusion of an extended search process. Drach has been successful on the regional and national level while mentoring talented student-athletes at a highly regarded academic and athletic institution.
"I am so thankful to have the opportunity to lead the Wilkes University football program," Drach said. "I look forward to being a part of such a dynamic academic community that offers students the opportunity to be successful on and off the field. It was clear throughout the interview process that Wilkes University is driven and passionate about providing all the necessary resources and support for our student athletes. My family and I are excited to be immersed in the Wilkes-Barre community."
Drach comes to Wilkes after 11 years at Hobart. He began his career as quarterbacks coach in 2007 until adding offensive coordinator to his responsibilities in 2014. Since his transition to offensive coordinator, Drach's offenses have increased their completion percentage by 10 percent over the previous school record. His offenses also set school marks in singles season touchdown/interception ratio, passing yards, completion percentage, passing efficiency, passing touchdowns and total offense all while going 92-24 over the past eleven seasons.
Drach coached the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017 and the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2016. He also coached seven All-League quarterbacks and the Bill Middleton Memorial Football Award Winner.
During his time at Hobart, Drach made it clear that he had a vested interest in the academic success of his student-athletes by coordinating academic support programs and working with faculty to improve player academic performance. These efforts helped the team maintain a 3.08 grade point average last season.
"Clear to us was that our student-athletes were drawn to Coach Drach's competitive nature and his success on the field and in the classroom," said Wilkes vice president of student affairs Paul Adams. "His emphasis on our student-athletes' post-graduation success struck a resonant chord with our team."
A native of St. Charles, Ill., Drach earned his bachelor's degree in business finance and economics from Western Michigan in 2004. Drach was a member of the 2000 Broncos squad that won the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. A three-year starter, he enjoyed his finest year as a senior, completing a single season record 67 percent of his passes for 1,499 yards and 13 TDs.
"As a team, we will look to continually improve and be process driven as we compete on and off the field," Drach explain. "I am eager to start working with the team and complete the incoming recruiting class for 2018."
Drach becomes the ninth head coach since the startup of the program in 1946 (72 seasons).