PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State College has named the 11th head football coach in the program’s 34-year history.
The new Panther head coach is Paul Castonia, who has 16 years of college coaching experience and most recently was the defensive coordinator at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I. Castonia takes over from former coach Chris Rorke, who resigned earlier this year to become offensive coordinator at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
A 1986 graduate of Trinity College (Conn.), Castonia, 39, has worked in various roles in Divisions I, II and III, ranging from head coach to offensive, defensive, special teams and recruiting coordinator.
“I’m extremely honored and excited to be the new head football coach at Plymouth State College, and am looking forward to the challenge,” said Castonia. “My diverse coaching experiences have prepared me well for this position. I plan to recruit and coach quality student-athletes who are a good fit for the institution and will succeed both in the classroom and on the football field.”
Castonia started his coaching career at the University of Rhode Island, where he was a graduate assistant (1986-87) and head junior varsity coach (1988) while earning his Master’s degree in 1989. He served at the University of Maryland as defensive backfield (1989), offensive line (1990) and running backs/special teams coach (1991), and was the offensive coordinator and special teams coach at Hartwick College in 1992.
Castonia moved on to Ferrum College in Virgina from 1993-96, serving as offensive coordinator, special teams coach and recruiting coordinator. He returned to New England and was the head coach at the University of Massachusetts Boston from 1998-2000 before moving to Bryant in 2001.
“We are very happy to name Paul Castonia head football coach,” said PSC athletic director John P. Clark. “There were many, many outstanding applicants, and it was a difficult decision. But Paul emerged as the top candidate, and we are confident he will do an outstanding job. We’re looking forward to working with him and looking forward to the 2003 season.”
Castonia inherits a Panther football team that maintains one of the highest all-time winning percentages in NCAA Division III history (213-101-7 in 33 years, .674). PSC has won 12 conference championships since 1981, including Freedom Football Conference titles in 1994, 1995, and 2001. The Panthers have made the post-season 14 times since 1983, including three NCAA berths and a record 11 ECAC Championship game appearances.