University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Donna McBride
Rojas Returns To Staff As New Defensive Coordinator
3/5/2020 3:30:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – A familiar face is returning to the sidelines at Delaware Stadium with head coach Danny Rocco announcing the hiring of Manny Rojas as the Blue Hens' new defensive coordinator.
Rojas returns to Newark after a one-year stint as the defensive coordinator at Lafayette College. He previously spent two seasons as Delaware's Inside Linebackers coach and Co-Special Teams Coordinator from 2017-2019.
"We're excited to welcome Coach Rojas and his family back to Delaware. Manny has a tremendous level of passion and energy for the game of football, as well as care and compassion for our student-athletes," Rocco said.
During his one-year stint with the Leopards, he coached five All-Patriot League performers, including the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Malik Hamm.
In his first stint with the Blue Hens, he helped guide Troy Reeder to All-American honors and Charles Bell to All-CAA accolades. Reeder then went on to earning a starting spot with the Los Angeles Rams.
"I'm extremely appreciative of this opportunity to return to Delaware and work with a tremendous group of student-athletes and coaches," Rojas said. "My family and I are excited to come back and help this program compete for a national championship!"
During his 12 seasons as a college coach and player, he has been a part of six conference championships and four FCS playoff appearances
Prior to his time at Delaware, he spent five seasons under Rocco at the University of Richmond and four years at his alma mater, Liberty University.
As a student-athlete, Rojas was a two-time All-Conference performer, racking up 348 tackles in his four years.
He graduated from Liberty in 2007 with a bachelor of science degree in Communication Studies with an Advertising and Public Relations concentration. He and his wife, Deanna, have two sons, Aiden and Nico, and a daughter, Camelia.
Rojas returns to Newark after a one-year stint as the defensive coordinator at Lafayette College. He previously spent two seasons as Delaware's Inside Linebackers coach and Co-Special Teams Coordinator from 2017-2019.
"We're excited to welcome Coach Rojas and his family back to Delaware. Manny has a tremendous level of passion and energy for the game of football, as well as care and compassion for our student-athletes," Rocco said.
During his one-year stint with the Leopards, he coached five All-Patriot League performers, including the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Malik Hamm.
In his first stint with the Blue Hens, he helped guide Troy Reeder to All-American honors and Charles Bell to All-CAA accolades. Reeder then went on to earning a starting spot with the Los Angeles Rams.
"I'm extremely appreciative of this opportunity to return to Delaware and work with a tremendous group of student-athletes and coaches," Rojas said. "My family and I are excited to come back and help this program compete for a national championship!"
During his 12 seasons as a college coach and player, he has been a part of six conference championships and four FCS playoff appearances
Prior to his time at Delaware, he spent five seasons under Rocco at the University of Richmond and four years at his alma mater, Liberty University.
As a student-athlete, Rojas was a two-time All-Conference performer, racking up 348 tackles in his four years.
He graduated from Liberty in 2007 with a bachelor of science degree in Communication Studies with an Advertising and Public Relations concentration. He and his wife, Deanna, have two sons, Aiden and Nico, and a daughter, Camelia.
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