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| FDU-Florham athletics photo |
FDU-Florham athletic director Jenn Noon announced Jimmy Robertson as the interim head football coach on Wednesday, November 20. For the past five seasons, Robertson has served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach along with leading all aspects of recruiting for the program.
The move marked the end of Brian Surace's career as FDU-Florham head coach. Surace was hired in 2011 and the Devils compiled a 21-69 record (.233) in that span. After a 6-4 finish in 2018, FDU finished this season 3-7.
"I am beyond grateful for this opportunity," said Robertson. "We have a special group of players here at FDU and I am excited about the future of this program. We are full steam ahead on the recruiting trail and our coaching staff has hit the ground running."
FDU Florham athletics will open a national search for the program's next head coach.
During Robertson's time at FDU, he helped transform the Devils offense. In 2019, FDU finished ninth in the nation in passing offense in the regular season and 29th in the nation in total offense. The team also broke single game records for points scored (84) and total yards (703) along with single season records of points per game (32.3) and total offense per game (448.3).
This comes off the heels of a 2018 season that saw Robertson help lead the Devils to a 6-4 finish, the best finish in the program's last 25 years. During his five-year stint in Madison, Robertson has coached 11 All-MAC and three All-East Region players, an All-American and a MAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Robertson coached Mike Panzarino, a 2018 second team D3football.com All-America selection, who finished as the best receiver in FDU football history. During his four-year career, Panzarino finished as the school's career leader in receptions (262) and receiving yards (3,034) while finishing third all-time in receiving touchdowns (23). Along with Panzarino, Robertson also coached Malik Pressly, who finished first or second all-time in every receiving category for the Devils and was named the 2015 MAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Robertson also oversaw the four-year career of the program's best quarterback all-time, Jagger Green. Green finished as the program's single-game leader in passing yards (593), completions (52), passing attempts (67) and passing touchdowns (6). He finished atop the all-time list for single season completions (245), passing yards (2,394), passing attempts (394), touchdowns (24), pass completion percentage (62.2) and passing yards per game (266.6) along with finishing as the school's all-time leader in completions (669), pass attempts (1,077), touchdowns (55) and completion percentage (62.1).
Prior to FDU, Robertson was at the United States Merchant Marine Academy where he coached for the previous four seasons. He served as quarterbacks coach from 2012-2014, after coaching the wide receivers in 2011. In 2014 he mentored quarterback Matt McDaniels, who was named first team All-Liberty League.
Before USMMA, Robertson played in the German Football League for the Plattling Blackhawks in 2009 and 2010. He previously served as the assistant quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, during the 2009 season while obtaining his M.S. degree in management in 2010. Robertson also graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in business and management from RPI. He minored in sports psychology.