FOOTBALL COACHES

OFFICE: 250 Tuttle South Athletic Complex
PHONE: (585) 395-5348
E-MAIL: rsalomon@brockport.edu

Assistant Coach contact information:
Jason Mangone
PHONE: (585) 395-5480
E-MAIL: jmangone@brockport.edu

Pete Matthews
PHONE: (585) 395-2346
E-MAIL: pmatthew@brockport.edu

Mike Kemp
PHONE: (585) 395-5031
E-MAIL: mkemp@brockport.edu

Ryan Fullen
PHONE: (585) 395-5362
E-MAIL: rfullen@brockport.edu

Head Coach: Rocco Salomone

Head coach Rocco Salomone has transformed the College at Brockport Golden Eagle football team into one of the most highly regarded programs in the country. Prior to his arrival as an assistant coach under Ed Matejkovic in 1990, the Golden Eagles had suffered through eight straight seasons of sub-.500 years. In the 18 years since retuning to Brockport (five as assistant coach and 13 as head coach) the Eagles have had just five years with non-winning records.

After a 7-4 record in 2008 his overall record stands at 88-55-1 (.615).

The 2008 season ended with a thrilling 70-68 victory in the ECAC Northwest Bowl game against Hartwick College. Several records were broken during the game and several more were set during the season. Runningback Garet Lynch set several scoring and rushing records including the most yards gain in a half with 380 yards gained in the first half against Hartwick. Lynch became the all-time leader in scoring in a game, season and career. Lynch, along with offensive lineman Cuyler Groth, were named to the All-Region team.

The 2007 campaign saw Salomone win his 80th career game with an 18-14 win over Apprentice. The Golden Eagles finished 5-5 overall, including four losses to NCAA Division III Tournament teams in their final season in the Atlantic Central Football Conference. Under Salomone, Brockport had its first 1,000-yard rusher since 2002 in senior Matt McCormick and ten players earned All-Conference honors. He became the all-time winningest football coach at Brockport with a 46-0 victory over Mount Ida in 2001.

Five Golden Eagles have earned First-Team All-American status during his tenure with Tom Massey, Josh Warner, Jay Johnson, Mike Condello and Cuyler Groth each reaching the pinnacle of college football.

Salomone led the team to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2000-2003, including an NCAA Quarterfinals appearance in 2002.

Salomone guided his 2002 squad to an 8-2 regular season record and the Golden Eagles were selected to the playoffs. Brockport posted a record five shutouts and finished the year leading all of NCAA Division III in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense, while ranking seventh in total defense. The Golden Eagles were named the ECAC Division III Team of the Year and won the Lambert Trophy. The 2002 team broke many school records, including wins in a season with 10. Defensive lineman Mike Condello was a consensus All-American for the Golden Eagles.

The 2003 season featured a 6-0 start and a 9-1 regular season mark. Brockport hosted a first round NCAA playoff contest and finished 19th in the AFCA national coaches’ poll. The Golden Eagles were also #20 in the D3football.com poll and #25 in the Football Gazettte poll.
A 1988 SUNY Brockport graduate and a full-time football staff member since 1990, Salomone was named the eighth head coach in the program’s history on Nov. 21, 1994. Just the second alumnus to be Brockport’s head coach (joining Gerry D’Agostino ’49, who coached from 1964 to 1973), Salomone replaced Ed Matejkovic, who stepped down at the end of the 1994 season.

In Salomone’s first season as head coach, Brockport got off to a slow start but went unbeaten in its last four games. In 1996, after going 2-0 to open the season, the team established a school record with the six-game unbeaten streak over two years.

In 1997, Brockport won all five home games, including a thrilling 30-28 victory over NCAA playoff-bound Cortland in the season finale. The following year the squad closed out with three straight wins, including victories over NCAA playoff-bound College of New Jersey, and rival Cortland. It was the third year in a row Brockport had beaten Cortland, a first in the 50-year series.

Brockport’s program took a step up to the national level for the first time in its 54-year history, posting an undefeated campaign in 2000 and earning its first NCAA playoff berth. Brockport led all NCAA divisions in scoring defense and allowed just 44 points and five total touchdowns all year. All-American offensive lineman Josh Warner later signed with the New York Giants and earned a ring as a starter with the Berlin Thunder, the 2001 World League Champions.

The 2001 campaign featured a seven-game winning streak and an eventual NCAA playoff team. All-American linebacker Jay Johnson capped off his season by starring in the prestigious Aztec Bowl and later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Salomone was a two-year starter at Brockport (1986-87) after stints at Juniata College (1983) and East Stroudsburg (1984-85, including a redshirt year in ’84). He and his brother, Blase Salomone, were two of the first recruits for Matejkovic, who took over as head coach in 1986.
After his senior year, Salomone had tryouts with several teams, including New England and the New York Giants.

He was a graduate assistant under Matejkovic in 1988 before taking a position as the offensive and defensive line coach at Camp Hill (PA) High School in 1989. He returned to Brockport the following fall as Matejkovic’s first full-time assistant. In his first season, he coached the running backs then moved to the defensive side, later serving as the defensive coordinator in 1993 and 1994.

Salomone attended Arundel High School in Maryland for two years before his family moved to Carlisle, Pa., for his junior and senior years. A 1983 graduate of Carlisle High School, he was a first-team All-State selection as a junior and led his team to an undefeated season and the Pennsylvania 4A state title.

Salomone and his wife, Kelly, live in Brockport with their two daughters Cecilia and Tori and son Joey.

Assistant Coaches

Jason Mangone
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Running Backs
PHONE: (585) 395-5480
E-MAIL: jmangone@brockport.edu

Education: Bachelor's degree in physical education from The College at Brockport in 2000.

As a Player: Played two years at Alfred before transferring to Brockport in 1997. He became the starting quarterback in 1997 and also started in 1998, setting season records for completion percentage and efficiency rating in his first season at Brockport.

As a Coach: 11th year on the football staff. This is his sixth season as offensive coordinator. In 2008, the Brockport offense shattered several records for scoring as well as individual records for TDs in a game, season and career. In 2007, the Golden Eagles boasted the top running back in the ACFC and in 2005, had the conference rookie-of-the-year in quarterback Zack Luke. Mangone is the recruiting coordinator for the Brockport Athletics Department and acts as home event manager for several sports. He also works a variety of camps during the summer months.

Notes: Received the Offensive Player of the Year Award in 1998, and Rookie of the Year honors in 1997 with Brockport. Was the rookie of the year at Alfred in 1995. Mangone is a native of Lancaster, N.Y., and currently resides in Chili with his wife, Janine.


Pete Matthews
Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
PHONE: (585) 395-2346
E-MAIL: pmatthew@brockport.edu

Education: Bachelor's degree in political science from Dickinson in 1990. Master's degree in physical education from The College at Brockport in 1995.

As a Player: Four year varsity member at Dickinson, also was on the track and field team for two years.

As a Coach: The most experienced assistant coach on the Golden Eagle staff as finished his 16th year in 2008. He took over as offensive coordinator in the middle of 1999 and served in that role until 2003. This is his 12th season as a full-time assistant. Also has served as tight ends coach, JV offensive coordinator, receivers coach, and quarterbacks coach. Has also coached at Oberlin (OH) College in 1991, and Ewing High School in Trenton, NJ.

Notes: Teaches physical education at The College at Brockport and resides in Brockport.



Mike Kemp
Defensive Backs/Special Teams

Education: Graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1975 with a degree in Pre-Medicine and a minor in Sociology. Earned a master's degree in Athletic Administration from Springfield College in 1986 and also earned certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in 1986.

As a Player: Played defensive back for Notre Dame making the team as a walk-on and also earned a scholarship to wrestle at the university. He was a three-year starter and senior captain of the wrestling team.

As a Coach: Completed his first year back in 2008 with the Brockport program where he started his college coaching career in 1980. He has served as head coach at Plymouth State as well as Utica College. Led Plymouth State to a 19-12 record in three seasons and two trips to ECAC postseason games. Has also worked as an assistant coach at SUNY Cortland, University of Pennsylvania, University of Connecticut, St. Lawrence University and Springfield College.

Notes: Kemp and his wife, Katharine live in Brockport with their daughter, Stephanie, and son, Sean.

Ryan Fullen
Linebackers/Video Coordinator

Education: Bachelor's degree in history from Salve Regina University in 2005.

As a Player: Three-year starter at Salve Regina University as a Free Safety/Strong Safety Rover. In 2002, he earned the Defensive Impact Player of the Year honors.

As a Coach: Joins the Golden Eagle staff for his first season, after spending two years as a member of the Fordham coaching staff. In his first year with the Ram’s he was responsible for all aspects of video editing and film exchanges and contributing with data entry on both sides of the ball, before taking over as the running backs coach in the Spring of 2008. Prior to arriving at Fordham, Fullen served as an assistant coach at Arizona Western College, where he was the special teams coordinator as well as running backs coach from January of 2007 until May of 2007. From August of 2005 until December of 2006, Fullen was an assistant coach at Cortland State where he was in charge of the cornerbacks, coaching four New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Conference performers at defensive back. He was also a part of the 2005 and 2006 New Jersey Athletic Conference Co-Championship teams with the 2005 squad advancing to the NCAA playoffs. Fullen assisted in the organization and coaching of special teams at Cortland as well as being responsible for the defensive scouting report and breaking down of opposing offenses.

Steve Marriott
Defensive Line

As a Player: Started at defensive end in 2005 and 2006 earning First-Team All-Conference honors as a senior and D3football.com All-Region honors in 2006. In 2006, he had 55 tackles with 15 behind the line of scrimmage. He played one season with the Rochester Raiders of the Continental Indoor Football League.

As a Coach: Starting his third season as an assistant coach for the Golden Eagles and will work with the defensive linemen.

Michael Epstein
Receivers

Education: Bachelor's degree in Sport Studies from Ithaca College in 2009.

As a Player: Played one year at Morrisville State as a wide receiver and part of the special teams unit. In 2006, he transferred to Ithaca where he worked as a student-assistant for the football team for three years. 

As a Coach: Spent three years as a student assistant at Ithaca College. He assisted with day-to-day practice operations for the wide receivers and tight ends. On game days, he worked with the Offensive Coordinator charting the defensive fronts and blitzes and was involved with scouting and player recruitment.  Epstein has three years of experience with Webb game-day application and has also worked the Mike Welch coaching clinic in Ithaca over the summer months.

Notes: Served in the United States Marine Corps from July 2001-2005. Two-year captain and treasurer of the Ithaca Ski-team.

John Dowd
Outside Linebackers

Steve Milne
Kickers and Punters

Education: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice from The College at Brockport in 1993.

As a Player: Played three years as a kicker at Brockport. Was the second First Team All-American in school history (1993). Led the nation in field goals made per game in 1993. Still holds Brockport records for field goals in a season (13) and points scored by a kicker in a season (58).

As a Coach: Has assisted the Brockport staff for eight seasons. He also coached at the University of Rochester in the 2002 season.

Notes: Works full-time at the University of Rochester.

Tom Mayer
Offensive Assistant

Education: Bachelor’s degree, The College at Brockport, 1972.

As a Player: Played for the Golden Eagles in the late 60’s and early 70’s as a defensive tackle for head coach Jerry D’Agostino.

As a Coach: Mayer is starting his third season as a part-time assistant coach for the Golden Eagles and will work as an offensive assistant coach. Prior to Brockport, Mayer coached a very successful football program and taught at Albion High School for 34 years.

Tim Beairsto
Kickers and Punters

Education: Bachelor’s degree in recreational leisure studies, The College at Brockport, 2008, and currently pursuing his Master’s degree in recreation and a certificate in non-profit management from Brockport.

As a Player: Played two years with Brockport after transferring in from Alfred State in 2006. In 2007, the punter was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District football team as a second-team selection from the college division for District 1. Beairsto averaged over 36 yards per kick on 44 punts for the Golden Eagles in 2007.

As a Coach: Starting his second season as an assistant coach for the Golden Eagles after helping as a student assistant in 2008.

Notes: Works as a Student Behavioral Assistant in Special Education for BOCES 2.

Garet Lynch
Running Backs

Education: Completing the requirements for his Bachelor’s degree from The College at Brockport in physical education.

As a Player: Played four years for the Golden Eagles as a running back, starting 27 of the 31 games he played in. In his four years he amassed 3,550 total net yards and scored 37 touchdowns. Lynch was named the 2008–09 Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year at Brockport after he led the football team to a 7–4 overall record which culminated in a 70–68 victory over Hartwick College in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northwest Bowl game. In the championship game, Lynch established several school records including seven touchdowns scored and 429 yards gained in a single game. The 429 yards is the third highest rushing output for any running back at the NCAA Division I, II or III level in NCAA history. His 370 yards rushing in the first half broke an NCAA Division III record for the most yards in a single half. For the 2008 season, the All-Region selection, established new school records for scoring with 42 points in a game, 158 points in a season and 224 points in a career. He also set the school records for rushing yards in a season (1,665) as well as touchdowns scored in a game (7), season (26), and career (37).

As a Coach: Lynch is starting his first season as a student assistant coach for the Golden Eagles and will work with the running backs and the offensive unit.