Meet Danny Rocco: Q&A with UD’s New Head Football Coach
OUR UD | After 33 years coaching the game he loves—the last 11 as a head coach with the University of Richmond—Danny Rocco has found a new home in Newark, Delaware, where he inherits a program with six national championships, three Hall of Fame head coaches, numerous players in the NFL and an enthusiastic fan base. Here, we learn more about his vision for Delaware Football.
What do you say to someone who asks, “Why Delaware”?
I was out there on the [Delaware Stadium] field when I brought my Richmond team here in 2013. I can remember walking the field before the game, seeing the six national championship banners and just taking it all in. I think I knew at that time that I felt this place could really be special again. I am truly appreciative of the opportunity to be able to take some leadership here and help Delaware Football move forward.
Describe your recruiting style and the type of student-athletes you want to bring to Delaware.
First and foremost, we recruit character. We recruit young people who have ambition, young people who want to succeed and achieve as student-athletes and succeed and achieve in life. Those are the kind of people I want to be around. I want goal-oriented, highly-motivated people on my football team.
Can you speak to the importance of education?
That’s why we are here. Our players are student-athletes and college students. The most important part of this time in their lives is their academic success. And the experience is that much better when they have success on the field.
What most excites you about the future of Delaware Football?
The biggest thing for me was the vision, the enthusiasm and the energy that I received when I spoke with President Assanis and [Athletic Director] Chrissi [Rawak] about the future of not only Delaware Football, but the entire University and the goals that they have set moving forward.
What do you like to do when you are not coaching?
[My wife] Julie and I have a St. Bernard, Max, who we are very affectionate with. We like to take Max out and go for walks and we like to travel.
