Phil Petitte, 61, a former assistant coach at Rowan University and LaSalle College, begins his sixth season with the University of Delaware football staff as defensive line coach for the 2011 season.
He has been a part of two NCAA national championship runner-up squads at Delaware, including last season when he led the Hens to a 12-3 record, a share of the Colonial Athletic Association title, and a berth in the NCAA FCS title game. He helped lead a unit that led the nation in scoring defense (12.1 points per game), ranked No. 5 in total defense (280.7 yards allowed per game), and was No. 12 in rushing defense (105.3) in 2010.
He led the Blue Hens to another outstanding season in 2007 when Delaware went 11-4 and advanced to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision title game.
Petitte attended Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and earned his degree in health and physical education in 1971. While at Glassboro, he was a four-year starter at offensive guard, served as team captain as a senior, and was twice named to the All-New Jersey Athletic Conference.
How You Say It: "Petit"
Born: August 26, 1949
College: Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education, Glassboro State College (Rowan), 1971
College Coaching Career:
1995-2003: Defensive Line, Rowan University
2004-05: Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line, LaSalle University
2006-Present: Defensive Line, University of Delaware
Family: Wife, Pat; Daughters Patti, Ami, Cortnie; Five grandchildren
Recruiting Area: New Jersey (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester counties); Northeast Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee counties); Florida Panhandle
Before joining the college coaching ranks, Petitte enjoyed a successful 24-year high school football coaching tenure in South Jersey, including 14 years as a head coach.
He served as head coach at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, N.J. for six years and at Triton High School in Runnemeade, N.J. for eight years. He served as a physical education instructor at Triton High School from 1986 until this past fall.
He joined the college coaching ranks at NCAA Division III power Rowan University in 1995 and served nine seasons until 2003 as defensive line coach, the first seven years under current Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler.
During his tenure, he helped lead Rowan to seven NCAA Division III playoffs appearances, including four national championship game appearances in 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999. Rowan won 10 more more games seven times in his nine-year career. In 1999, Rowan had the No. 1 ranked rushing defense in the nation.
Following his career at Rowan, he moved to the NCAA I-AA level and served as associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive line coach at LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
Under head coach Phil Longo, the Explorers posted records of 3-7 in 2004 and 4-7 in 2005. While at LaSalle, he assisted with the team's community service activities and recruited the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Arizona areas.
Petitte currently resides in Mickleton, N.J. with his wife, Pat. They have three daughters, Patti, Ami, and Cortnie, and five grandchildren, Abigail, Mariana, Carlie, Siophan, and Joseph.
Updated 7/15/11
Head Coach K.C. Keeler
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Jim Hofher
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Nick Rapone
Passing Game Coordinator/Receivers Coach Brian Ginn
Defensive Line Coach Phil Petitte
Running Backs Coach Gregg Perry
Linebackers Coach Brad Sherrod
Tight Ends Coach David Boler
Cornerbacks Coach Henry Baker
Defensive Assistant Frank Law
Graduate Assistant Brian Brown
Graduate Assistant Andy Marino
Head Athletic Trainer John Smith
Assistant Athletic Trainer Dan Watson
Director of Football Operations Jerry Oravitz
Personal Development Coach David Baylor
Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine Dr. Andrew Reisman
Sports Medicine Physician Dr. Geoffrey Gustavsen
