Scot Dapp Promoted to Director of Athletics & Jeff Pukszyn Named Head Football Coach
Moravian College President Christopher M. Thomforde announced today that Scot Dapp, the Greyhounds’ head football coach for the past 24 seasons, has been named the school’s director of athletics and recreation effective immediately; and that Jeff Pukszyn ’97, a member of the football coaching staff since 1997, has been promoted to head football coach.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College President Christopher M. Thomforde announced today that Scot Dapp, the Greyhounds' head football coach for the past 24 seasons, has been named the school's director of athletics and recreation effective immediately; and that Jeff Pukszyn '97, a member of the football coaching staff since 1997, has been promoted to head football coach.
"Scot's successful tenure as coach at Moravian combined with his experiences leading committees at the highest levels of the NCAA, and his leadership with initiatives and programs campus-wide, make him eminently qualified to lead the Greyhounds into the future as athletic director," said Thomforde. "When the position opened in early June, we knew that we would not have to look far for his successor, so it is with great enthusiasm, excitement and pride that Scot Dapp will be our athletics director."
Dapp posted a 144-103-1 record on the gridiron over the last 24 seasons, the most wins in school history, but resigned his position to become the director of athletics and recreation.
"I have to admit to having mixed emotions right now: sad to be stepping away from coaching, but excited to have an opportunity to step into the role of athletic director," Dapp revealed. "As a coach, I worked hard with my players to achieve success; as the athletic director I will work hard with the coaches to help them reach the highest level of success possible for their teams."
Dapp has shown his leadership capabilities in serving on the American Football Coaches Association Board of Trustees including a term as President in 2005, only the fifth NCAA Division III head coach to serve in that role. Dapp is currently on the NCAA Football Rules Committee and is the chair of that committee through 2012. He also currently serves on the NCAA Committee for Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports.
Dapp is replacing Paul Moyer, who resigned after 11 years leading the Moravian program, to become the director of athletics at McDaniel College.
Pukszyn joined the Moravian staff as a part-time coach in 1997 after a three-year playing career under Dapp that saw him named to the All-Middle Atlantic Conference First Team in 1994 and 1996. He was also a two-time captain. Pukszyn joined the coaching staff full-time in 1999 as defensive coordinator and added the titles of assistant head coach in 2001 and special teams coordinator in 2007.
"I am both proud and honored to have the opportunity to be the head football coach at Moravian College," said Pukszyn. "It is a humbling thought to realize that I will be leading the program for which I once played. Coach Dapp has not only laid a solid foundation, he has created a tradition of excellence over his 24-year tenure. I am excited to build on that foundation and tradition as head coach of the Greyhounds."
Pukszyn will be the 12th head coach since Moravian's football program was reinstituted in 1930 and just the fourth head coach since Rocco Calvo took over the program in 1955. Moravian has an all-time record of 363-330-26 over 86 years with Dapp and Calvo combining for a 266-205-10 record in 50 seasons.
"It was not an easy decision for me to step down as the head football coach of the Greyhounds, but it was an easier decision because of Jeff Pukszyn," Dapp noted. "I know that the football program will be in very capable hands. Jeff has worked very hard on every aspect of the coaching profession and he is more than ready to take over the reins."
Dapp will begin his duties as director of athletics and recreation immediately while Pukszyn prepares for his first season as head coach. The Greyhounds report to camp on August 13, and Pukszyn will make his coaching debut on Saturday, September 3 at Widener University.
