First and ten: A new era for Yale football

By Albert Chen

The 1996 Yale football season will forever be known as the closing of an era. Legendary Carm Cozza, the winningest coach in Ivy League football history, stepped down after 31 years as head coach.

Now, with the coaching staff for the 1997 edition of Bulldog football nearly set in place, a new era begins. This young but highly experienced staff will look to turn around a struggling program that has not seen a winning season since 1991.

"There is a terrific sense of excitement around campus," Yale Athletic Director Thomas Beckett said about the coaching changes. "The players are very optimistic and are looking forward to working with the new coaching staff."

Jack Siedlecki was named as Cozza's successor late last month. This past season, the 45 year-old finished his fourth year as head coach at Amherst. He has a reputation for tapping potential and a knack for reviving lifeless programs. When Siedlecki took over at Amherst, he found a beaten and faltering team that had just completed an 0-8 season, winning only two games in the two previous years.

In his four seasons as coach, Siedlecki's squad, the Lord Jeffs, went 20-11-1. The 1996 campaign boasted a 7-1 record and earned the title of NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) champion. Siedlecki was named the 1996 American Football Coaches Association District I Coach of the Year.

"Coach Siedlecki has demonstrated that with different academic requirements, he still produces winning teams," Beckett commented. "He has worked in similar situations where academics and athletics have both been in equal focus, where students have gone without scholarships, but on financial aid."

"He's been successful wherever he's been," added Todd Scott, CC '98, the Bulldogs' captain and linebacker. "He seems to be a very intense coach, real fiery, and a tremendous motivator."

Look for Siedlecki to open up the offense as he did at Amherst. Last year, his Amherst squad averaged over 400 yards a game. Leading the charge will be Keith Clark, who takes over for former offensive coordinator Seb LaSpina. Clark has been the offensive line coach and running game coordinator at Columbia the last five seasons and played a significant role in the Lions' recent successes.

Siedlecki will receive plenty of help on defense from new defensive coordinator Rich Flanders. Flanders, replacing Bob Shoop, comes off a five year tenure as secondary coach at the University of Pennsylvania. The Quakers took the Ivy crown in 1993 and 1994, largely due to Flanders' impressive secondary. Penn's defense ranked nationally both seasons, including No.1 in pass efficiency defense in 1994. Clark's and Flanders' experience in the Ivy League will aid Siedlecki's adjustment to the new system.

Joel Lamb (quarterbacks), Duane Brooks (defensive line), and Shawn Holloran (linebackers) were also named as assistants under Siedlecki. Lamb follows Siedlecki from Amherst, while Brooks and Holloran hail from Penn and Georgetown, respectively.

"Coach Siedlecki has done a tremendous job of choosing an excellent coaching staff," Beckett said. "He has hired five men that have worked in places where, like Yale, there is a need for an understanding of a student-athlete environment where academics are top priority."

Siedlecki will be the 33rd head football coach at Yale. Cozza will stay within the athletic department to help with the transition.

The Bulldogs finished the 1996 season with a 2-8 overall record. Their 1-6 Ivy record could net the Bulldogs no better than an eighth place finish. Siedlecki and his staff plan to improve on last year's standings and end Yale's two year losing streak to Harvard.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to coach at a place that is so rich in tradition," Siedlicki said at a recent press conference. "The goals of the program are clear to me. Beat Harvard and win the Ivy title."

The team's players are enthusiastic about what promises to be an exciting year for Bulldog football.

"With the big changes, the players seem to be excited about the season ahead," Scott said.

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