LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall head football coach Tom Blumenauer has announced the appointment of four new coaches to his staff as the Diplomats begin preparations for the 2022 season. All four coaches bring strong backgrounds from high academic institutions that are well versed in success both academically and on the football field.
"One of my top priorities has been to assemble a top-notch staff that will support our student-athletes as they strive to meet the academic and athletic goals of our program," said Blumenauer. "I have been able to see first-hand the passion and dedication that each of these individuals bring to the coaching profession. In addition to each having a strong track record of developing leaders and building a winning culture on the field, Coach Hunt, Coach Phelan, Coach Simmon, and Coach Quattrone have all coached at institutions where their student-athletes have excelled in the classroom and as leaders throughout the entire college community."
Dan Hunt – Offensive Coordinator
Dan Hunt joins the Franklin & Marshall coaching staff as the Offensive Coordinator. Hunt most recently worked with head coach Tom Blumenauer during the 2021 season as the running backs/tight ends coach at Williams College during the Ephs' undefeated season.
"Dan Hunt will have a tremendous impact on our football program, said Blumenauer. "He is a dynamic football coach with great knowledge of offensive football and overall student-athlete development. Dan is an excellent teacher who will implement our offensive schemes at a very high level."
Hunt coached both the first-team All-NESCAC running back and tight end as the Ephs racked up a conference-leading 230 rushing yards per game last season. He brings a tremendous background of success at high academic institutions as he was a coach at Colgate for 25 years. Named the Colgate head coach in 2013, Hunt led the Raiders to three Patriot League Championships as head coach(2015, 17, 18) while compiling a 40-33 career record. Colgate advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) quarterfinals during the 2015 and 2018 seasons after posting undefeated records in the Patriot League both years.
Joining the staff at Colgate in 1995, Hunt was named the associate head coach in 2010 before taking over following the retirement of former head coach Dick Biddle. He served as the team's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach from 2006-13. Hunt is well versed in all areas of the offense as he previously served as a position coach with tight ends, running backs, and quarterbacks at Colgate.
Hunt graduated from Springfield College in 1992 with a master's degree in athletic administration where he was also a tight end for the Pride. Following his graduation from Springfield, Hunt joined the staff at his alma mater where he served as the head JV coach in 1992, following by a two-year stint working with the wide receivers and tight ends.
Michael Phelan – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Michael Phelan joins the Franklin & Marshall football team as the Diplomats' Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach. Phelan comes to F&M after spending three years coaching at St. Lawrence University. Originally hired to work with the defense, Phelan earned the promotion to Special Teams Coach/Recruiting Coordinator during the 2021 season.
"It is very exciting to have Michael Phelan joining our staff," said Blumenauer. "Michael possesses extensive knowledge of defensive football and excellent communication skills. Coach Phelan is also a talented recruiter who will develop strong relationships with current and future student-athletes."
The Saints made tremendous strides during Phelan's tenure and became increasingly competitive in a strong Liberty League. Working with the defense during the 2019 season, Phelan was part of a staff that saw St. Lawrence more than double its win total from the previous season while making significant statistical improvements in points allowed, total yards allowed, and time of possession. Working primarily with the safeties, the defense came away with 14 interceptions as six of the team's 11 all-conference selections came from the defensive side of the ball. Taking over the special teams for the 2021 season, the Saints ranked in the top five nationally in both kick return and punt return defense while seven players were selected to the All-Liberty League team.
Prior to St. Lawrence, Phelan served as a graduate assistant with Castleton University for the 2017 and 2018 seasons where he worked with the team's wide receivers. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Phelan earned his master's degree in athletic leadership while at Castleton.
A defensive back for St. Lawrence during his playing career, Phelan was part of a Saints' defense that led the nation in team passing efficiency defense as a senior in 2014. He also helped St. Lawrence attain a top-10 national ranking in total defense, turnover margin, and scoring defense. After obtaining his undergraduate degree in government in 2015, Phelan recently earned his master's degree in educational leadership from St. Lawrence in 2021.
Leondre Simmon – Wide Receivers Coach
Leondre Simmon joins the Franklin & Marshall coaching staff as the Wide Receivers Coach. Simmon comes to the Diplomats after spending six years as an assistant coach at Williams where head coach Tom Blumenauer was also on that staff. At Williams, Simmon worked primarily with the team's defensive backs.
"I am thrilled to have Leondre joining our staff," said Blumenauer. "Leondre is a talented football coach who takes pride in building strong relationships with every student-athlete he encounters."
With experience on both sides of the ball at the skill positions, Simmon helped to mentor 12 All-NESCAC selections during his final three seasons with the Ephs as that offense consistently ranked among the best in the conference. During the undefeated 2021 season, Simmon worked with a defense that led the NESCAC in passing defense (165.4 ypg) and was the fifth-best scoring defense in the entire country.
Prior to joining the staff at Williams, Simmon was a standout wide receiver and defensive back in his own right at St. Lawrence. As two-way player for the Saints, Simmon was a two-time All-American. During his senior season, Simmon led the Liberty League with six interceptions while also earning first-team All-East Region and first-team All-Liberty League accolades. A 2016 graduate of St. Lawrence with a degree in sociology, Simmon also minored in education and sports medicine and coaching. He was additionally a three-year letter winner on the St. Lawrence basketball team where he started at point guard.
Matt Quattrone - Defensive Backs Coach/Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
Matt Quattrone brings a vast knowledge of Centennial Conference football to the staff as the Diplomats' Defensive Backs Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. Quattrone most recently spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at Dickinson where he worked with the cornerbacks. That came after a two-year stint at his alma mater, McDaniel College, after graduating from the Green Terror program in 2017.
"Matt will have a major impact on our football program, said Blumenaur. "He will coach our defensive backs and lead our strength and conditioning efforts. Matt brings great knowledge and passion to his work. Our student-athletes will love his approach on the field and in the weight room."
Under Quattrone's guidance, Dickinson had one of the most opportunistic defenses in the Centennial Conference. The Red Devils picked off 13 passes in 2019 to rank second in the league and followed that up with 12 more this past fall. Quattrone was also instrumental in organizing the team's strength and conditioning efforts.
A certified strength & conditioning specialist by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), Quattrone got his start in college coaching as the S&C coach at McDaniel during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He joined the Green Terror staff following a standout playing career at his alma mater where he recorded nearly 200 tackles while serving as a team captain for two seasons. In addition to his responsibilities building the team's fitness, Quattrone coached the defensive backs and outside linebackers, while also assisting on special teams.
Quattrone completed his undergraduate work in May 2017 with a B.S in exercise science and later received his M.S. in kinesiology during the spring of 2019.
