As expected, former University of Delaware quarterback Ryan Carty has been hired as the Blue Hens’ new football coach in a bid to return the program to its glory days.
Carty, 38, a Delaware alum and backup quarterback on its 2003 national championship team, spent the past four seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Sam Houston.
He succeeds Danny Rocco, who was fired after five seasons.
Head coach at Sam Houston is former Blue Hen football coach, and UD alum KC Keeler. As coach, Keeler led UD to a national championship. Keeler, whose current team is aiming for a national championship, quickly quashed speculation that he would return to head a football program that has struggled with its win-loss record and a lack of fans in the stands since his abrupt firing seven years ago.
“I am thrilled to welcome Ryan Carty as the new head coach of our football program,” said UD President Dennis Assanis. “Ryan is a proud Blue Hen who is dedicated to the success of student-athletes, both on the field and in the classroom, and he will bring exceptional creativity, energy, and a championship mindset to our talented team. I know all of us — students, alumni, fans, and especially Ryan’s former teammates — will be looking forward to next season to cheer him and the Fightin’ Blue Hens to victory.”
Carty will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday.
Carty has been credited with bringing offensive innovations to the Texas university that is now one of the nation’s top teams.
“I’m so humbled and excited to be involved in ushering in a new phase of one of the elite traditions in all of college football,” said Carty. “I can’t wait to begin our quest towards greatness. My vision for this program is one that will make Newark and the state of Delaware proud of our success in the classroom, our passion in the community, and our relentless pursuit of championships on the football field. My own student-athlete experience at the University of Delaware prepared me for this moment, Carty said.
Before Sam Houston, Carty had an 11-year run on the New Hampshire coaching staff, including six years as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
Carty’s selection earned the praise of former UD quarterback Joe Flacco, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Baltimore Ravens. However, Flacco’s relationship with UD became strained mainly due to the firing of Keeler, his former coach.
