WAYNE, N.J. – After serving in an interim capacity for the last 12 months,
Jerry Flora has been named the William Paterson University football program's head coach, director of intercollegiate athletics
Sabrina Grant announced Dec. 29.
An assistant coach for the Pioneers for six years (2002-07) before assuming the head coaching responsibilities in December of 2007, Flora led the Pioneers to a 4-6 overall record during the 2008 campaign, including a 3-6 slate in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action. William Paterson posted a 4-1 home record this fall, the most victories at Wightman Stadium since 1993 (4-2 home record). Eight members of the program earned all-NJAC laurels this year, including NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year
Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) and first-team all-conference and second-team D3Football.com all-region selection
Joel Rivera (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken).
“I am very grateful for the support and confidence shown to me by the William Paterson athletic and University administration,” said Flora. “I am very excited about the progress we made this past season on both sides of the ball, and I am optimistic that we will be able to continue that growth on and off the field as we seek to return to postseason play.”
As the head coach, Flora was the program's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach this past fall. During the 2007 season, his last as an assistant coach, Flora mentored the wide receivers and served as the recruiting coordinator, strength and conditioning coordinator and offensive coordinator while also completing many of the program's administrative duties. Flora has helped recruit and develop several all-conference performers, including William Paterson's all-time career receiving yardage and receptions leader
Kareen Moon. During each of his six seasons as an assistant/wide receivers coach, one of Flora's charges earned all-conference laurels (Bryant Richardson, 2002-03; Moon, 2004-07), and he was instrumental in the recruitment of several other all-NJAC performers, including Rivera,
Chuck Patterson (2007),
Frank Musolino (2007), Tim Dolan (2006), Dan Casasnovas (2005-06), Tom Larsen (2003, 2005) and all-American Shadee Davis (2005).
“I look forward to the continued success of the football program under the guidance of
Jerry Flora,” said Grant. “He has the respect and support of the players, as well as all the constituencies of the University who have witnessed his strong work ethic, recruiting efforts and true concern for his student-athletes. His innovative offensive philosophy has brought a great deal of excitement to the program, and the players truly enjoy playing for him.”
Prior to arriving at William Paterson, Flora coached at Division I-AA Iona College (1992-96, 1998-2001), mentoring the wide receivers as well as coordinating the special teams and managing alumni relations while helping to lead the Gaels to the inaugural Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title in 1993. He was a three-year starter at offensive tackle at Iona before emerging as the starting tight end his senior year, earning an invitation to try-out for the 1992 Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. In addition, he was the offensive line coach at FDU-Florham (1997-98).
Flora runs JF Camps LLC for boys in grades K-8 in Westchester County, N.Y. He earned a bachelor's degree in management from Iona in 1992, and a master's in school administration from the same school in 2002. Flora resides in White Plains, N.Y., with his wife, Diane, and their son, Francis Michael.
