Alt Removes Interim Tag; Assumes Head Coaching Role
(Posted January 14, 2005)
Huntingdon, PA - Darrell Alt, who served as the Juniata College interim football coach this past season has accepted the position of full-time head football coach, according to director of athletics Larry Bock. Alt spent two seasons as an assistant on the Eagle's staff before assuming the interim head coaching position prior to the 2004 season.
"We're delighted that after a long, thorough search that Coach Alt emerged as the best person for this job," Bock stated. "Darrell proved himself to be a terrific leader during some difficult circumstances this past fall. His technical and tactical strengths as a coach are obvious, while at the same time anyone who knows him recognizes that he is a man of absolute integrity. I am confident after the work of our search committee which received nearly 170 applications, that Darrell is the person who can best lead this football program."
Alt becomes the 20th head coach in the 82-year history of the Juniata College football program. The 82 years of football include an all-time record of 339-333-22, five undefeated seasons and NCAA runner-up finish and four MAC Championships. He replaced Head Coach Kevin Burke, who resigned in early July of 2004.
"I've told our student-athletes that they need to start carrying the bricks to help us build this program," Alt said. "There is a foundation in place for Juniata football, but as a coaching staff we believe that the building is going to look very different in a few years. It's our goal to have an integrity-based program that produces good people first and foremost. Our ultimate goal is to win, and to win conference championships, but we want to win by the book and do the right things on and off the field."
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. Juniata's victory came on the road against conference rival Lycoming. Juniata placed one player on the MAC All-Conference Team in 2004 and had players rank in the top 10 in the conference in rushing yards per game, total offense per game, interceptions and tackles for loss.
Alt came to College Hill prior to the 2002 season, and served as a full-time assistant for two seasons. He worked as the special teams and 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 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.
Prior to arriving on College Hill, Alt worked at Gettysburg College, where spent 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 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. He possesses a strong background in weight training as he claimed a national bench press championship early in his career.
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 became an assistant coach (special teams coordinator/secondary coach) at Potomac State College where he worked from 1998 until he moved onto Gettysburg in 2000. While at Potomac State, he helped lead a defense that ranked first in the country and interceptions in 1998 and ranked fifth in the nation in total defense.
A native of Fort Ashby, W. Va., 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.
"I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of such a great institution," Alt said. "I'm humbled that I was considered to be the right for this position, and it means a great deal to me to have this opportunity. I'm excited for our players, and I'm excited for this program."
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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.