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Football
The University of Rhode Island welcomed back a familiar face on Feb. 27, 2009 when it selected Joe Trainer as its 19th head coach in school history. "I can not tell you how honored and humbled I am to be the head coach at the University of Rhode Island," Trainer said at his introductory press conference. "It is truly an honor that I am going to embrace and I am going to make everyone associated with this program proud of the way we conduct ourselves from the head coach all the way down to the team manager." Trainer returns to Rhode Island after he joined the coaching staff at Bowling Green back in December where he served as the Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator under two-time Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Coach of the Year Dave Clawson. "Coming back here in a different capacity as a head coach I believe we are going to do great things on the field and above all else we are going to do it the right way," Trainer explained. "We are not going to cut corners and we are going to make our kids accountable in every phase." During the 2008 season at Rhode Island, Trainer's defensive unit forced URI opponents into 11 fumbles, which ranked in the top five of CAA Football. His defensive scheme also allowed linebacker Matt Hansen to finish second in the league in total tackles with 111, as he went on to earn All-CAA Football Second Team and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-New England honors. Prior to his stint at Rhode Island, Trainer spent three seasons as head coach of Millersville University, a member of the powerhouse Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), from 2005-2007. Before heading to Millersville, Trainer spent eight seasons at CAA-rival Villanova, starting out as linebackers coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005. During his tenure at Villanova, Trainer helped the Wildcats to two conference championships, two NCAA Playoff appearances (1997 and 2004) - including the national semifinals - two Lambert Cups, two wins over I-A schools (Rutgers and Temple), and five top 20 rankings in the final poll. Additionally, the Wildcats were nationally-ranked for a league-record 35 consecutive weeks and posted a school-record 12 wins in 1997. Trainer's defensive scheme put the Wildcats as No. 1 in the Atlantic 10 in total defense in 2003 and 2004. Villanova finished seventh amongst NCAA Division I-AA schools in scoring defense (16.2 ppg) and 14th nationally in total defense (302 ypg allowed) in 2003. The following year in 2004, Trainer's defense yielded under 300 yards per game and was second in the A-10 in scoring defense (22.5 ppg). Trainer was also instrumental in helping Brian Hulea earn First Team Atlantic 10 honors in 2003 and 2004. Trainer spent the 1995 and 1996 season at the University of New Haven, where he worked as both linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. In his two seasons at New Haven, Trainer helped the Chargers win 17 games and earn a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Under his tutelage New Haven finished ranked in the Top 20 in both seasons and his defense also established school records for fewest points allowed, points per game allowed, and turnover margin. Off the field, Trainer served as the academic coordinator. The Roslyn, Pa., native began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Temple University in 1990, serving as linebackers coach. Two years later, Trainer took over as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Frostburg State University, where he also developed and oversaw the teams in-season strength and conditioning program. Following the 1992 season, he joined the coaching staff at Colgate University. While in Hamilton, he coached the outside linebackers and punt and kickoff teams. Trainer received his undergraduate degree in English from Dickinson College in 1990.He then went on to earn his masters degree from Temple University in 1992 and his M.S. in counseling and human relations from Villanova in 2004. Trainer and his wife Moreen are the proud parents of Liam (9), Dillon (7) and Keira (5). The Trainers reside in Saunderstown. updated: 2/27/09 |
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