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| John Carroll athletics photo |
Rick Finotti has stepped down as John Carroll's head football coach. His last day will be March 25.
Finotti coached the Blue Streaks for five seasons, leading the team to a 33-11 overall record. He leaves to pursue a business opportunity outside of football.
"Our football program has enjoyed success during Rick's tenure," said athletic director Michelle Morgan. "Even as the program faced pandemic conditions, Rick and our program persevered. I want to thank Rick for his commitment to our program and our university. We wish him the best of luck in his next chapter."
With Finotti's departure, current offensive coordinator Drew Nystrom has been named the interim head coach for the 2022 season.
"I'm excited for the 100th season of JCU football, and I know Drew will bring consistency for our program entering the 2022 campaign," Morgan said. "His excellent work coaching the offense over the past few seasons and wealth of experience make him a good fit as interim coach."
Finotti was hired in January 2017. Finotti had previously spent two years as an analyst on Jim Harbaugh's staff at Michigan. Before his time with the Wolverines, Finotti was an accomplished high school football coach, highlighted by two OHSAA Division I State Championships at St. Edward High School in Lakewood.
He compiled five winning seasons at John Carroll and steered the Blue Streaks to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2018, with a 9-1 regular season. The Blue Streaks again went 9-1 in 2019, but missed out on the playoffs. During the pandemic-shortened spring 2021 campaign, Finotti led the team to a 2-1 record. This fall, Finotti guided John Carroll to a 7-3 record, including the program's ninth straight Cuyahoga Gold Bowl victory against rival Baldwin Wallace.
Finotti, the 18th head coach in program history, finishes with a 31-8 record against Ohio Athletic Conference foes.
"I have loved my time at John Carroll," said Finotti. "To be able to follow in the footsteps of incredible men such as my grandfather Bill Belanich, Herb Eisele, Johnny Ray, and Tony DeCarlo has been quite the honor. These men have impacted many lives and laid an incredible foundation for the legacy of what we call being a Man of Carroll. To know I have a small part in this legacy is gratifying.
"This program is special for one reason: the players in this program, from Team 1 to the current Team 100. My philosophy as a head coach was to serve my players with challenges and support to make them the best they could be on and off the field. Football at John Carroll will continue to be a great avenue toward personal and professional growth and success. I would like to thank the alumni who make this place so special, as well as Team 100 for their hard work and willingness to come together this offseason. Life has blessed my family with another challenge at this time. In leaving football, I have no regrets, only true relationships with my players that I treasure the most."
Nystrom will now guide the team for the 100th season in John Carroll football history. He has spent the last three seasons with the Blue Streaks.
Nystrom joined the coaching staff in 2019 as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach. Prior to the 2020-21 academic year, Nystrom was promoted to offensive coordinator. In his two seasons as the offensive coordinator, the Blue Streaks averaged 28.5 points per game. Blake Herideen earned All-American honors in both seasons under Nystrom's tutelage. Herideen became JCU's fifth two-time D3football All-American in 23 years.
In the shortened 2021 spring season, six JCU offensive starters secured All-OAC honors. This past fall, Blake Herideen and Brennan Fugh each earned First Team All-OAC honors, Anthony Amata garnered Second Team All-OAC, and Jake Floriea and Devin Limerick made the All-OAC Honorable Mention list. In addition, Fugh snagged a spot on the D3football.com All-Region team.
Nystrom came to John Carroll with 12 years of coaching experience and five years of playing experience. Most recently, he spent 5 seasons at Dubuque from 2014-18, where he served as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. Nystrom also guided current NFL player Michael Joseph through the NFL Draft process in his role as NFL liaison for Dubuque. In Nystrom's first stint with Dubuque from 2011-12, he served as the team's run game coordinator and director of football operations.
Between his stints at Dubuque, Nystrom was a graduate assistant at Illinois, where he was the assistant offensive line coach for the 2013 season. Prior to that, he served as graduate assistant/assistant offensive line coach with the University of Memphis in 2010 and Delaware in 2009.
Nystrom started his coaching career at Wabash College in 2008 as a football intern. As a member of the Little Giants coaching staff, he assisted with the tight ends.
In college, Nystrom was a standout offensive tackle at Bowling Green State, starting 34 games. In 2008, he was named a BGSU Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year Finalist and National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society Inductee. In 2007, he earned Second Team All-MAC honors, First Team Academic All-MAC, and the BGSU Top Offensive Lineman Award. He also garnered Academic All-District IV 2nd Team from ESPN The Magazine in 2005.
"I am honored to serve as the interim head coach," said Nystrom. "I want to build off of the strong foundation in place, because the tradition and legacy of John Carroll football is special. The goals will be the same: To develop Men of Carroll and to carry the program forward to success on the field. This is full steam ahead for our athletes and program as we enter our 100th season."
A comprehensive, national search for a permanent head coach will take place later in the calendar year.