Bartolomeo named new head football coach
“Our athletic programs are very good. We have volleyball and swimmers going to nationals, our men’s basketball ball team just beat the No. 4 defending national champs and it’s just indicative of how strong our athletics are,” said President Beverly Pitts. “At the core of it is our football program.”
According to Athletic Director Sue Willey, they felt that despite how strong their internal candidate was they wanted to do due diligence and wait for more applications before making a final decision. In the end, Bartolomeo won out.
Former defensive coordinator Rob Bartolomeo was announced as the new UIndy head football coach on Nov. 23.
“Bartolomeo has 35 years of experience, and has proven he can get the job done by coordinating a defense that was tops in the conference,” Willey said.
Bartolomeo said he is taking the program with open arms and an open mind.
“I look forward to it more than anything else I have done in my life,” he said. “This is a university of on the move, and we want our program to be on the move too. We are going to strive to move forward.”
Bartolomeo said he has three goals for his team: to graduate the student-athletes, to represent the university in a first-class manner on and off the field and to win.
“Everything in our program is predicated on winning and we want to be champions. There are two areas that players are in charge of, attitude and effort. If our players give 100 percent in both those areas, we will succeed.” he said. “We are going to be a tough, hard-nosed football team.”
Bartolomeo went on to say that he will still be in charge on the defensive side of the ball, but would have total control of the offense has well. He said he would appoint an offensive coordinator that is like-minded with a “run first, pass second” attitude.
“We are ready to have a fresh start with ‘Bart’ attitude,” Bartolomeo said. “And it’s a great day to be a Greyhound.”
No disrespect to Bartolomeo, but come on. What sort of search could Willey have done in less than two weeks? Did they even interview anyone in person? There are many fine coaches in the state. There should have been a national search. It’s disingenuous to try and position this to the school and the alums. This was decided on when Polizzi exited.
I feel the same! I fear more of the same…
I wish they had found a coach that wasn’t on the staff under Polizzi!
However, I got to talk to him after the press conference and he said that he needs to get the play-caller, Coach Carter, some help. “Amen,” I said to myself.
He did say that they were going to pound the rock. Which is necessary. Coach Bart did not dismiss the Wildcat. So I am excited for next season.
If the offense remains as conservative as I saw it in Polizzi’s 16th season, I will not hesitate to write about it, disparaging the hire.
JP: This article is nothing but fluff. Is this a student-run newspaper or an administration-run newspaper? Did you ever think about actually getting a list of those who applied while she was doing her “due dilligence?” And, did you ever think about really pressing her on why no one was brought in from outside for an interview. You really missed an opportunity to uncover a great story in this case. For, one of two conditions exist at UIndy: 1) There were great candidates who could have really moved the program forward, but the athletic department and president Pitts opted to not invest the time and finances necessary to bring in a heavy hitter. 2) No viable candidates applied implying that quality candidates don’t consider UIndy to be a viable institution where real success can be achieved on the football field. Either way it points to serious flaws within the athletic department specifically and the administration in general.
They are still putting the line out there that other schools in the GLIAC have tougher admissions standards than UIndy and that hurts recruiting. Hillsdale being private with half the enrollment and tougher standards finished second in the conference and made the D2 playoffs this season. We did have the best defense in the conference with 4-7 record, but we lost five senior starters and the offense is suspect for next year. We only averaged 65 yards rushing per game and our QBs were sacked 38 times. We might move to a new conference with St. Joe, but that would not be until 2012, meaning we keep taking our lumps for two more seasons. If the losing keeps up, maybe Bartolomeo gets two seasons. Why can’t we get Butler back on the schedule, especially since they played Hanover and Franklin this season?