Saturday, May 7, 2005
The Ellwood City native replaces Jerry Schmitt, who left for Duquesne.
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Jeff Hand is coming home to Lawrence County.
The 34-year-old Hand, a native of Ellwood City, Pa. and a graduate of Ellwood City High, was hired Friday as Westminster's new football coach.
Hand replaces Jerry Schmitt, who took over at Duquesne.
"As an Ellwood City native, Jeff has an understanding and appreciation for Westminster football and the Titan tradition," said Jim Dafler, Westminster athletic director.
"His commitment to the academic success of his players and his involvement in all phases of student and campus life has been evident."
Hand becomes the 32nd coach in Westminster history, but just the fifth full-time coach since 1952. Westminster won six NAIA Division II National Championships, had 11 undefeated regular seasons and posted winning seasons in 49 of the last 53 years.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to coach at such a fine academic and athletic institution as Westminster," said Hand. "I have tremendous respect for the rich Titan athletic tradition. Growing up just 20 miles away in Ellwood City, I saw the program first hand when it was at the pinnacle of athletic success."
Last stop
Hand was at Waynesburg College, where he posted a 24-18 record in four seasons. In 2003 Waynesburg was 9-1 in the regular season and won the program's first-ever President's Athletic Conference championship.
Last season, Waynesburg was 7-3 in the regular season and competed in the ECAC Division III Southeast Bowl, losing 26-23 at Johns Hopkins University. The 2003-04 campaigns marked the first consecutive seven-win seasons at Waynesburg since 1966-68.
"Jeff possesses great knowledge of the PAC, is widely respected in the collegiate coaching ranks, and has been a highly visible and effective recruiter in western Pennsylvania," Dafler said. "As a head coach, Jeff brings a level of experience and understanding that will serve him well."
Hand also served two years as coach at Benedictine (Ill.) College, posting a 13-7 mark. He was an assistant at Waynesburg (1992), Hanover (Ind.) from 1993-97 and Benedictine in 1998.
He is a 1992 graduate of Clarion University and earned a master's degree at Indiana University Southeast in 2000. His older brothers Bill (offensive line coach at Geneva) and Nick (defensive line coach at North Hills High School) are also coaches.