On Thursday, Feb. 6, a new era in The University of New Haven football started. Chris Pincince took over as head football coach for the Chargers, and everyone got their first look during his welcoming press conference.
“It truly is a homecoming for me,” said Pincince, who has had two previous stints at New Haven before under head coach Tony Sparano in the 1990’s. “It’s great to go home, especially when you’re away for a little while… There’s truly no other place I call home like the University of New Haven.”
“We wanted a dynamic leader, who’s going to continue in our proud and winning ways,” said Athletic Director Deborah Chin about hiring Pincince, “We found our guy.”
Pincince brings almost 20 years of collegiate coaching experience including two stints at Div. I FCS schools and three stints at Div. I-AA schools, all as offensive coordinator. He also served as wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator for UNH, which is one of the reasons that he fits in so well. He was on staff for the 1995-1996 team that went undefeated and won their opening round match in the NCAA playoffs. When he was offensive coordinator, the Chargers averaged 350 yards per game and 30 points per game in the three-year stint.
“I think Chris is absolutely the right person for us at this time,” stated Ralph F. DellaCamera Jr., whose fathers name is on the field, “I think he will be a terrific addition to the UNH football program.”
“We got to scheme it toward the talents of our kids,” said Pincince, when asked about how the scheme will change, “The first thing we have to do is figure out the talent of our kids… If we can throw it 50 times a game because that’s when our kids are best that’s what we will have to do, if we can run it 50 times a game because that’s when our kids are best that’s what well have to do.”
He also said that he’d have a lot of control over the defense and the offense, “as the head coach I’ll definitely be in charge of all three phases of the game… I’m going to be my offensive coordinator.”
He was very emotional during his press conference, for both coming back to UNH, where his career started, but also because he was away from his family, stating that’s the most important part of his life, and that he’s been with his wife since his first stint at UNH. “I was very excited [when I got the call] I almost drove off the road… It’s been something I’ve been waiting a long time for.”
He will take over a Chargers team that finished 8-3 and third in the NorthEast-10 conference. Since Rossomando rebooted the Chargers in 2009, the team has gone 42-13 and won three NE-10 conference championships, and he will look to keep the success and tradition of Charger football going.
