Villarrial Honored as Top FCS Coach in Northeast

The Red Flash football team enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in program history last fall and Saint Francis University’s (SFU) head coach was recently honored for his team’s success.

Chris Villarrial was presented the Bob Ford Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Coach-of-the-Year Award in late February at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The award is presented annually by the Metropolitan New York Football Writers.

The award is named in honor of Bob Ford, the longtime head football coach of the University at Albany.

Villarrial led the Flash to a 7-4 record last fall. It was the program’s first winning season since 1992. SFU posted a 4-2 mark in Northeast Conference (NEC) games and went 5-0 at home.

“It’s a reflection of the hard work put in by the coaching staff and the players,” said Villarrial. “I just thank everyone for this support and buying into what we want to accomplish here.”

The honor is the second “Coach-of-the-Year” award for Villarrial. He was selected the NEC Coach-of-the-Year award last November by his peers in the league.

“He has done a tremendous job in his time here as the head coach at this University,” said SFU Director of Athletics Bob Krimmel. “He deserves every bit of the recognition he has been given.”

With 24 victories as SFU’s Head Coach, Villarrial is ranked third on Red Flash football’s all-time wins list.

Several of SFU’s players also gained national recognition following last season.

Junior kicker Lance Geesey and junior safety/kick returner Lorenzo Jerome earned FCS All-American honors following the 2015 season.

“Coach V is the man,” said Jerome. “We came a long way since my freshman year, and there is no doubt in my mind next year is our year.

“I have a lot of faith in my fellow teammates, Coach V and the rest of the staff.  We fell one game short last year, so we have some unfinished business.”