Defiance Names Casey Goff As New Head Football Coach

DEFIANCE, OHIO  --  Defiance College Athletic Director Rudy Yovich has announced the promotion of Casey Goff to Head Coach of the Yellow Jacket football program.

"Coach Goff has experience with some very successful NCAA Division III programs, and we look forward to him utilizing that experience here at Defiance College," said Yovich.  "I'm excited to see where he, and the rest of the staff, will lead our program in the coming years."

Goff previously served as an assistant coach as Defensive Coordinator in 2015 and was named the Interim Head Coach in the off-season.  In his first season with DC, Goff's defense accounted for 22 takeaways with 14 interceptions and eight fumbles.  The Jacket defense also allowed the fourth fewest yards in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (357.0 ypg.), including the third fewest rushing yards (136.3 ypg.).  His team led the HCAC in defensive touchdowns with five and ranked in a tie for third nationally amongst Division III schools.

"I want to thank President Mankey and Rudy Yovich for this opportunity," said Goff.  "It is an honor and a responsibility that I will not take lightly. My staff and I will work hard to build a program that the Defiance College community can be proud of."

Before coming to Defiance, Goff served for two years as the defensive coordinator at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. After leading the New England Football Conference (NEFC) in total defense in 2013, the Hawks took another step forward last season winning the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast Bowl. During his tenure, Goff helped coach 11 All-Conference selections, two All-Americans and the 2013 NEFC Defensive Player of the Year.

Goff's experience with an attacking 4-2-5 defense began at Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) College, where he worked as an assistant from 2007-2010. As Co-Defensive Coordinator in 2008, the 
Presidents lead the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) in total defense and finished an 11-2 season with a trip to the NCAA National Quarterfinals. Goff's defenses ranked nationally in several statistical categories and tops in the PAC on multiple occasions which helped lead to a PAC Championship in 2007.

Since 2007, Goff has coached 14 All-Conference selections, four All-Americans, and his teams have competed in the postseason five times.

Goff's extensive coaching experience also includes stops at King's (Pa.) College (2010-13), Rhodes (Tenn.) College (2006-07), Cortland State (N.Y.) University (2004-06) and Muhlenberg (Pa.) College (2001-02). All of his coaching positions were on the defensive side of the ball and included some of the top defensive squads not only at the conference level, but nationally as well. While at Cortland, Goff helped lead the Red Dragons to a New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship in 2005 and a spot in the NCAA Playoffs.

Goff is a 2000 graduate of Susquehanna (Pa.) University where he earned a degree in history. He was also a three-year letterwinner as a member of the Crusader football team. As an outside linebacker and member of the defensive line, he helped his team finish as the Middle Athletic Conference Commonwealth League Champions in 1999.