Football | PACE UNIVERSITY
News Item
News12 featured Football Coach Andy Rondeau in "Pace coach keeps team unified during pandemic, protests"
News12 featured Football Coach Andy Rondeau in "Pace coach keeps team unified during pandemic, protests"
News 12's Pete Ruf speaks with Pace University football coach Andy Rondeau about his job and responsibilities moving forward.
News Item
The Macomb Daily featured Pace offensive lineman Matt Snow in "Draft Virtual Work Football"
The Macomb Daily featured Pace offensive lineman Matt Snow in "Draft Virtual Work Football"
In this March 16, 2020, photo provided by TEAM TEST, its Football Academy director of football operations Geir Gudmundsen, from left, performance coach Skip Fuller and CEO Kevin Dunn prepare to watch Pace University offensive lineman Matt Snow run the 40-yard dash while performance coach Vance Matthews and NFL Draft Bible creator Ric Serritella look on at the university in Martinsville, N.J. Snow was one of 30 NFL draft hopefuls who participated in TEST’s virtual pro day hours before Hours before New Jersey closed all gyms indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
News Item
Newsday featured Setter's offensive lineman Matt Snow in "30 NFL draft hopefuls showed off skills at a virtual pro day"
Newsday featured Setter's offensive lineman Matt Snow in "30 NFL draft hopefuls showed off skills at a virtual pro day"
Pace University offensive lineman Matt Snow run the 40-yard dash while performance coach Vance Matthews and NFL Draft Bible creator Ric Serritella look on at the university in Martinsville, N.J. Snow was one of 30 NFL draft hopefuls who participated in TEST's virtual pro day hours before Hours before New Jersey closed all gyms indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
News Item
"Patch" featured Setters Football Coach Andy Rondeau in "Andy Rondeau and the Art of the Turnaround at Pace University"
"Patch" featured Setters Football Coach Andy Rondeau in "Andy Rondeau and the Art of the Turnaround at Pace University"
Setters Football Coach Creating a Culture of Trust Among Players
When Andy Rondeau meets a prospective football recruit, he's businesslike in his approach. In fact, Pace University's head football coach, who is in the midst of his sixth season with the Setters, hands out a business card that outlines his straightforward philosophy and high team standards.
He considers himself the "un-recruiter."
"We're looking for people who find a way to get it done," Rondeau says. "If everybody on the team finds a way to get it done, we'll get better … You just want a guy who is going to make themselves better."
Getting better starts off the field: with the preparation, the practices, in the library, and all that goes into being a successful student athlete.
"Time is our most valuable asset, so we can't waste it," he says. "We are asking for a lifestyle."
It's clearly working. In each of Rondeau's previous five seasons, the team has improved. Last year, he led the Setters to a 7-3 record – their best season in the program's Division II history – that ended with three straight wins to finish third in the Northeast-10 Conference standings, which was their highest ever finish in the conference. Four players even earned Northeast-10 All-Conference honors, and 11 members of the Blue and Gold were selected to All-Conference teams.
This year, The Setters leapfrogged seven spots from the previous year in the Pre-Season Coach's Poll to number three, behind conference rivals Assumption and New Haven. Thus far this season, Pace won 42-21 over Saint Anselm, 52-7 on the road over Franklin Pierce, 31-14 at home over Southern Connecticut, and lost a heart breaker 21-20 against Millersville.
The Setters are currently tied for first in the conference.
Rondeau credits the early season success to players buying into his coaching philosophy and his team rules, which were developed during his tenures coaching in different capacities at a number of programs including the College of Holy Cross, Old Dominion University, the University of Maine, University of Buffalo, University of Tennessee-Martin, North Dakota State University, University of Pittsburgh and Northeastern University.
Ultimately, he says, success comes when he has the buy-in from the team and its 93 players.
"We're creating an environment of trust," he says. "As a player, you have to decide if you trust me or not."
The Rondeau Rules
Find a Way to Get it Done
Compete in your preparation
Do it better than it was ever done before
Do it with commitment, communication and trust
Team Standards
Protect the Team
No whining, no complaining, no excuses
Be on Time
Read the article.
News Item
"The Observer Online" featured Pace University's defensive football player Dustin Huseinovic in "Harrison’s Huseinovic enjoys great freshman year at Pace"
"The Observer Online" featured Pace University's defensive football player Dustin Huseinovic in "Harrison’s Huseinovic enjoys great freshman year at Pace"
When Dustin Huseinovic decided to take a football scholarship to play for Pace University, the former Harrison High School didn’t know what the future held.
Huseinovic had a brilliant career at Harrison, competing in both football and baseball, earning All-North Jersey Interscholastic Conference honors in both sports. His talents enabled Huseinovic to earn Observer Male Athlete of the Year honors, becoming the second straight Blue Tide athlete to receive the year-end award.
But playing college football was going to be a big step for a kid coming from a small high school.
And there were no guarantees about getting on the field.
“I knew that I had to work hard in training camp,” Huseinovic said. “I knew that if I worked hard, I could get some playing time. The coaches didn’t promise me anything. I had to work.”
Huseinovic was a standout at any position he played for the Blue Tide. He lined up at running back, slot receiver and wide receiver on offense, while playing linebacker, cornerback and safety on defense, displaying his incredible versatility.
But in college, there had to be more of a stable situation, concentrating on one position. The coaches at Pace believed Huseinovic’s future was as a defensive back, so there he played.
“I knew I would have to play defensive back and I was happy with that,” Huseinovic said. “I just like playing football, so I was happy just being on the team. I knew that playing in college was going to be harder.”
So Huseinovic put the time in long before the Settters began training camp.
“I watched a lot of film to learn all the necessary stuff,” Huseinovic said.
Huseinovic learned one thing almost instantly.
“The speed of the game was intense,” Huseinovic said. “It was all so much faster than high school. I just had to get used to the speed of it all.”
Huseinovic quickly established himself as a strong safety with the Setters and eventually gained a starting position there, playing alongside fellow Hudson County native Harrison Fernandez, the former Union City High School star.
“I definitely like that position,” Huseinovic said. “It’s a lot of fun playing with Harrison. We’re the Hudson County connection.”
Huseinovic quickly established himself as a defensive force for the Setters, registering 48 tackles, including three sacks. He also had one interception.
In one late season win over Southern Connecticut State, Huseinovic had 11 tackles, an almost ungodly total for a safety. His performance that week earned him the Northeast 10 Defensive Player of the Week.
Huseinovic helped the Setters post a 7-3 record, the program’s best record since moving up to the NCAA Division II ranks a decade ago.
And Huseinovic’s performance was certainly not overlooked by the opposition in the league. Huseinovic earned All-Northeast 10 Conference Third Team honors and a spot on the All-Northeast 10 Rookie squad.
Not bad for a kid from Harrison.
“I’m really happy with the results,” Huseinovic said. “I’m glad that I put the work in. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, because I worked so hard.”
Huseinovic was asked what the main qualities he possessed to succeed on the college level.
“I would have to say my aggressiveness and my football IQ,” Huseinovic said. “I think they’re the main things that helped me.”
Huseinovic said that he was pleased to earn all-league and all-rookie honors.
“I’m just way thankful,” Huseinovic said. “It’s a great honor to get acknowledged. It means a lot to me. I’m very thankful to be in the company of other players who made the all-league team.”
Now that the season is over, Huseinovic can start to plan for the next three seasons. He also knows in his heart that he has a bright future – and two more years of playing with his fellow Hudson County brother in Fernandez.
“Harrison is one of my best friends on the team,” Huseinovic said. “We’re the Hudson County connection.”
Huseinovic has a permanent role with the Setters. The uncertainty that he experienced back in July and August is long gone.
“I think getting the taste of success definitely helps me,” Huseinovic said. “I can now become an even better player if I work on the things that I can improve upon.”
Huseinovic has already begun preparations for the future.
“I’m doing more film watching,” Huseinovic said. “I can increase studying other teams. I also definitely want to get bigger and stronger in the offseason. We went 7-3 and lost a couple of games late. Next year, I think we have a shot to win the conference. That would be great.”
Needless to say, the kid from Harrison, the reigning Observer Male Athlete of the Year is doing pretty well for himself, thank you very much.
“It was definitely a great season,” Huseinovic said. “I definitely had a lot of fun.”
Chances are that the coaching staff at Pace University had a lot of fun watching Dustin Huseinovic develop into an all-league defensive back. And the people in Harrison are truly enjoying their native son becoming a star.
Read the article.
News Item
"Draft Diamonds" featured Pace University's football middle linebacker, Brenton Allen in "NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Brenton Allen, LB, Pace University"
"Draft Diamonds" featured Pace University's football middle linebacker, Brenton Allen in "NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Brenton Allen, LB, Pace University"
Brenton Allen of Pace University recently sat down with Damond Talbot the owner of NFL Draft Diamonds for this interview
NFL Draft Diamonds has interviewed some of the best small schoolers to make it to the NFL. Last year our team interviewed over 750 players from NAIA to the FBS. This year we went to NFL teams scouts for every question on this interview. Ten NFL scouts who are avid readers of Draft Diamonds put this interview together for our reader’s pleasure. We hope you enjoy this interview, with another potential NFL draft prospect.
• Name: Brenton Allen
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 235
• Position: Middle Linebacker
• College: Pace University
• Twitter: B36Allen
Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
*I come from a small city called Clearwater Fl, which is best known for is a tourist spot Clearwater beach. I love the fact that my whole family lives in Clearwater.
List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
*Practice makes perfect and is the most important following practice is strength and conditioning, there’s no such thing as having a good football team if your players are not in shape. Then film study in order to match personnel you must know what to expect and watching film breaks that down and also slows the game down for players when they know what’s coming.
What do you worry about, and why?
*Will I be successful is something I always ask myself I worry about this because at any moment your life could change.
Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
*I remember not making weight my freshman year only weighing 200lbs coaches told me I was too little. I took that’s to the heart and worked out my whole grey shirt freshman year and the next year I was 245.
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
*My work ethic and my drive to be the best I can
Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
*Desmond Nisby – Running Back
What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?
*Football paved the way for me so I honestly don’t know.
Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?
*The room comes first then the car
If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?
*I would choose a family member because I know if it was the other way around they would do the same for me
If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
*Denzel Washington, his movies are usually action-packed and fits me very well because I love action there’s no fun in a movie unless there’s action
Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?
*First out of 10 siblings to go to college was adversity at is best growing up in a single parent household made it harder but I told myself over and over that, I would make it someway.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
*I happen to Fall downstairs on campus in front of the cheerleaders.
What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
*4 & 2 on the goal line and the opposing team was going for the win. the ball snapped and I ran through and made the play in the backfield. WE WIN
What song best describes your work ethic?
*Roy Jones Jr= Can’t be touched
What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level?
*Knowledge of the game
If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
*My grandmother because I never met her and I’m sure she would be proud of me and my accomplishments
If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it?
*D.S.A. Don’t Stand Around
Who is the most overrated player in the NFL?
*Jameis Winston
Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?
*Respected because as long as you have that you can succeed without respect you are looked upon as nothing.
What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
*I feel for Adrian Peterson because he was suspended just for punishing his child.
Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
*I hate to lose but it’s apart of the game somebody’s gonna lose but how we lost matters because if it was a great game there no reason to be upset.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
*The biggest influence on my life has been my mother because I watched her work for too many years and I just want to be able to pay her back for all she’s done.
Read the article.
News Item
"News12" featured Pace Athletics Football Team in "Pace University football opens camp with optimism"
"News12" featured Pace Athletics Football Team in "Pace University football opens camp with optimism"
The last time the team had a winning season was 1999, but they're feeling confident this year coming off the best season since 2008.
Watch News12 video.