By Joseph Caruso
Staff Writer
The College officially welcomed Tyler Moody as the 14th football head coach in school history, Director of Athletics Liz Shatkus announced on Monday, Feb. 24.
Moody spent 14 years at Stonehill University, now a Division Ⅰ program, where he worked all over the ball — coaching quarterbacks, offensive line and linebackers. He was the offensive coordinator for the past nine years, simultaneously acting as the associate head coach for the previous four seasons before his departure.
Despite most of his coaching experience coming on the offensive side of the ball, Moody is confident in his abilities to be a balanced head coach, not just on the field, but as a leader and example for players.
“I want to be the head coach for all, to be more of a player's head coach, not necessarily an offensive-minded or defensive-minded or anything like that,” Moody said. “Football is tough and competitive, I just wanna win ball games. I think a lot of people think I’m coming into this being an offensive head coach, I’ll take that — also I’ll take being a defensive head coach, and I’ll take being a line coach, and I’ll take being a guy who just wants to run fast and hit hard.”
This past season, the College reached a positive record for the first time since 2012, and Moody understands the expectations that come with that achievement.
“I just want to do things at a high level, that’s all I’m concerned about,” Moody said. “To get that first winning record this past season, that's a bar that was set — [I’m] trying to push that thing.”
Moody’s experience as a coach and a leader is much needed. Having played four years of Division ⅠⅠⅠ at Centre College, including being a team captain during his senior year, Moody understands what he wants from his guys on the field.
“Your leaders are guys that are just passionate about the game of football, and going about it the right way,” Moody said. “Really what I’m hoping for and trying to do is identify who are the guys that when we are in between the lines are present, and going about it the right way with energy.”
The Lions’ successful season last year saw them go 6-4, including winning three of their four home games. Fifth-year seniors Thomas Burke, Malin Jasinski and Trevor Bopp were all major contributors that earned a plethora of awards, with Jasinski even taking home NJAC Offensive Player of the Year.
With all three of those players having played their final games for the College, it will be a welcomed fresh start for Coach Moody. Now, as a new head coach, he understands the new responsibilities the job brings.
“Now that I get to be a head coach, there will be head coach things that I have to do — I’ve thought a lot about the challenge of becoming a head coach, decisions will be different, and that is ultimately the biggest thing.”
Moody will bring his extensive recruiting experience to the College, having managed recruiting areas in California, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, Colorado and Ohio during his time at Stonehill.
“You’re just trying to find highly motivated dudes that want to be high achievers and get them to realize that going to TCNJ can allow you to do that in all areas of your life, and it has nothing to do with how many Roman numerals are after the Division — there's so much talent out there,” Moody said. “My mission is to help guys pursue two things: A life with football and a life without it. TCNJ allows me to live up to that mission — it’s one of the only places that can do that at a high level.”
Above all, the College’s newest coach wants to bring everybody together.
“I personally don’t have an agenda — it's not about me,” Moody said. “I just like to try to bring people together, I want all of the results to be a byproduct of being a caring, thoughtful and present person.”
