Head Coach - Darell Alt
Darell Alt became the 20th Head Coach in the history of the Juniata College football program was he was named the interim coach prior to the 2004 season. He has since earned the full-time head coaching position.
After taking over the program just two months before the start of preseason practice, Alt guided Juniata to a 1-9 record as the team's interim coach in 2004. In two seasons he holds a career record of 3-27. He helped Juniata to a 2-8 record in 2006, and during his three-year tenure the Eagles have recorded victories over long-time rivals Susquehanna University and Lycoming College.
Alt has had five player s earn All-Conference recognition during his three seasons as head coach, including the first first-team All-Conference honoree in 2006. The Eagles have also had several individual and team performances that now rank in the top-five in the history of the Juniata football program.
Alt came to College Hill prior to the 2002 season, and spent two seasons as a full-time assistant for the Eagles. He worked as the special teams coach and the linebackers coach over those two seasons, while also serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Blue and Gold. In his two years working with the Juniata special teams, the Eagles have placed two punters and a place-kicker on the MAC All-Conference team. Juniata ranked second in the MAC yards per kick return in 2003 and had the team's first kick-off return for a touchdown since 1995.
Alt came to Juniata from Gettysburg College, where he worked for two seasons as the outside linebacker and special teams coach for the Bullets. Gettysburg went 4-6 overall in Alt's final season on the sideline at Gettysburg. He was responsible for recruiting efforts in Pennsylvania and he coordinated and implemented the strength-training program for the Gettysburg football squad. He also served as an assistant baseball coach and as an instructor within the Health and Exercise Science Department. Alt possesses a strong background in weight training, as he claimed a national bench press championship earlier in his career.
Prior to Gettysburg he worked as an assistant coach at Potomomac State College where he worked with the special teams and secondary for three seasons. Under his tutelage the team ranked first in the country in interceptions in 1998 and ranked fifth in the nation in total defense.
A native of Fort Ashby, West Virginia, Alt earned his associate's degree in science from Potomac State College in 1994, before completing his bachelor's degree in psychology at Frostburg State University. Alt also earned his master's degree in physical education from Western Maryland College.
He began his coaching career in 1993 as the head junior varsity coach at Frankfort High School. Alt was also the defensive coordinator and was responsible for the entire operation of the junior varsity program. In addition, he served as the defensive and offensive line coach for the varsity unit at Frankfort. Five years later he moved on to Potomac State.
Alt resides in Huntingdon with his wife Kary.
Coach Alt can be reached at altd@juniata.edu.
