WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson head football coach Edwyn Edwards announced that Jeff Koutsantanou will be joining his staff as the new defensive coordinator June 22.

"I am very excited about the addition of Coach Koutsantanou as our new defensive coordinator," Edwards said. "We are fortunate to get a coach with this wealth of experience and knowledge of the game. Our student-athletes will benefit from learning from him both on and off the field."

Koutsantanou arrives at WP with over 35 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and high school levels, most recently serving as the defensive coordinator at Bay Shore High School in New York for the past three years.

"I would like to thank Coach Edwards, Kristen Foley and the entire hiring committee for giving me the opportunity to coach at William Paterson University," Koutsantanou said. "I am excited to get on campus, meet the student-athletes and prepare for the upcoming season."

Prior to his time at Bay Shore, he was the defensive coordinator at Nassau Community College from 2019-22, helping the Lions reach the NJCAA national title game in 2021. During his time in Garden City, N.Y., his defenses were ranked nationally in numerous statistical categories.

Before Nassau CC, Koutsantanou spent six years as the linebackers coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. While on the staff, the Mariners won 28 games, including a victory over Endicott in the NCAA Division III New England Bowl on Nov. 17, 2018, and a win in the ECAC Clayton Chapman Bowl on Nov. 17, 2017, against Buffalo State.

Koutsantanou was a 10-year member of the coaching staff at Port Jefferson High School, serving as the defensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 2003-10 before being elevated to head coach for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

He additionally gained collegiate coaching experience after spending the 2001 and 2002 campaigns overseeing the running backs at Stony Brook University and the 1997 season as the wide receivers coach at LIU Post. 

Off the field, he has been involved in numerous foundations and community endeavors. Most recently, he served as a coordinator of clinic operations for Lauren's First and Goal Foundation, helping to secure speakers and clinicians for the charitable event.

Koutsantanou graduated from St. John's University in 1993 with a bachelor's in athletic administration before earning his master's in special education from Long Island University in 1995.

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