FEBRUARY 16, 2010
JEFF KNARR SET TO TAKE OVER KING'S FOOTBALL PROGRAM AS NEW MONARCH HEAD COACH
WILKES-BARRE -- On Tuesday, February 16, King's College formally introduced Jeff Knarr as the new head coach of the Monarch football program. He becomes just the second head football coach at King's since football was reinstated as a varsity sport in 1993 after a 30-year absence after the sport was discontinued in 1963 during the Vietnam-era.
Knarr takes over the coaching reigns at King's following the resignation of Rich Mannello on November 16.
Approximately 88 people were in attendance, ranging from 10 members from local newspapers, television, and radio stations. Members of the Monarch football team, who did not have class, were in attendance, as well as a number of King's staff, faculty and administration.
Watch the entire press conference at the following link:
mms://streaming.kings.edu/FootballHeadCoach
Knarr comes to King's after serving the past 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Muhlenberg College. During his time with the Mules, Knarr was responsible for a variety of positional coaching, but served most recently as offensive coordinator for the past four years; recruiting coordinator since 2001; and quarterbacks/receivers coach since 2001. He helped Muhlenberg develop into one of the premier programs in the Centennial Conference as the Mules won or shared six conference titles and earned five NCAA Division III National Playoff berths, including two in the last three years.
He was scheduled to hold his first team meeting following the press conference
“Our first priority is to make sure that the returning players on our team receive an enjoyable and rewarding experience here,” he stated. “We will get together and talk about how we will go about doing that. Next, we want to bring in quality student-athletes who are a great fit for King's. We want players who are going to come here with their top priorities being to get a good education and to have a burning desire to play college football. Anything less and they will not be able to succeed here.”
Knarr will take over a King's team that will lose eight offensive starters to graduation. The Monarchs will lose standout wide receiver Mike Verbitski, a first-team All-MAC selection who set school-records with 57 receptions for 917 yards and 13 touchdowns. King's also loses its leading rusher in tailback Claude O'Connor who ran for 897 yards in nine games and ranked second in the MAC with a 99.7 yards per-game average. Additionally, the Monarchs graduate four starting offensive lineman, including two-time first-team All-MAC pick Brandon Cogley, as well as linemates Brett Brown, Andrew Dalius, and Zach Dunn, a second-team All-MAC pick. King's will also graduate three-year starter Doug Mucha at fullback and tight end Justin Dalton
Returning starters will include quarterback Corey Lavin, a senior academically who maintains junior eligibility status. Lavin has indicated he will return for his final year of eligibility as a graduate student. Last season Lavin completed 131-of-262 passes for 1,675 yards with 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 591 yards on 97 carries with five scores. Also back will be wide receiver Rob Lane and offensive lineman Mike Stampone, both who will be seniors during the 2010 campaign. Lane caught 30 passes for 290 yards on the year. Second-string Philip Shaw, who enters his junior year, is the top returning rusher with 242 yards on 48 carries
Defensively, the Monarchs are in better shape. King's will lose starting defensive lineman Alex Watty and Clyde Towns, strong safety Justin Zlotek and cornerback Brian Mitros. Starters expected to return include upcoming seniors Craig Geibert and Ryan Nelson on the defensive line. Also on the line, Vince Pabst, who did not start but played extensively, will be back for his senior year. At linebacker, Nick Beinke and Ryan Cordingly will enter their senior and sophomore years respectively. In the secondary, free safety Jim McHugh and Mike Schifalacqua will be juniors next year.
King's will also benefit from the return of standout safety Edwyn Edwards who missed the entire 2009 season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury in pre-season camp. Edwards, who started both his freshman and sophomore years before last season's injury, maintains junior eligibility after receiving a medical redshirt year.
“”I have talked with several returning players individually and every indication is that they want to succeed,” Knarr added. “They want to win, they want to work hard, and they are willing to buy into the system that we will put in place. They understand that nothing is going to be handed to them and they are going to have to work for their positions. I told them that just because you were a returning starter last year does not mean you automatically have that spot next season. Everyone has to earn their spot and we will play the best 11 guys on offense and the best 11 guys on defense. I want freshmen to come in here with the attitude that they are going to push the upperclassmen for positions. But at the same time I want the upperclassmen to have the attitude that nobody is going to take their position. This will foster a commitment to hard work with the understanding that there is no entitlement here.”
