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Bellantoni Returns as Defensive Coordinator
11/19/2024 4:24:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Florida Atlantic interim Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Chad Lunsford announced Tuesday that Roc Bellantoni has rejoined the program, returning to his previous position as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Bellantoni oversaw the Owls defense from the start of the 2023 season through the first nine games of 2024. He was also FAU's defensive coordinator from 2014-16.
Brandon Harris, who served as interim defensive coordinator in last week's game versus Temple, returns to his previous position as co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach.
The Owls host Charlotte on Saturday at FAU Stadium at 3 p.m. on Senior Day.
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Interim Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Chad LunsfordOn bringing Coach Bellantoni back to the staff
"Roc is a good man and a really good coach. This was an easy decision. I thought it was important for our team that Roc came back because he was well-liked, well-respected, and he has meant a lot to the FAU program for many years. We are glad to have Roc back. The seniors, the linebackers, the defense -- even the offense -- was excited about him being back and it brought a different energy for us."
On Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Harris
"Brandon Harris has done a tremendous job. He rallied the troops, called a great gameplan last week against Temple and he really knocked it out of the park. It was a no-brainer to bring Coach Roc back, but I made sure Coach Harris was involved in the decision. To his credit, he agreed it was best thing for our team and our players because Roc is so well-liked and respected. Coach Harris is going to be an awesome defensive coordinator when gets that opportunity. He impressed me last week, he impressed this whole staff, impressed our players. He did an awesome job."
Defensive Coordinator Roc Bellantoni
On returning to the staff
"It came down to missing the staff and especially the players. I really missed being around these players and I felt like I owed it to them to come back to finish this thing the right way and have them leave with a better taste in their mouth than they have right now. They deserve it."
On working with Co-Defensive Coordinator/CB Coach Brandon Harris
"I have been in that [interim] position before, at Washington State I had to do exactly what he did. I can't tell you how good of a job he did, he rallied the troops together, he held this defense together, put those guys in position to win the game. Brandon is going to be a great defensive coordinator. He is a great defensive backs coach and has a bright future as a defensive coordinator. He will be a head coach someday, and I hope he is hiring me! If we can buy stock in Brandon Harris, it would be smart to buy it. I am proud of the job he did in holding these guys together and putting them in the position to play great defense. That was another thing I had to think about when I was coming back, I wanted to make sure that he was in a good place with it because his relationship with me means more than football. He is like a brother to me, and I am really proud of him."
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