Coach Profile: Rocky Hager

12/2/2020 11:15:00 AM

By: Evan Shomo

Each Wednesday, TCNJ Athletics will profile a coach from one of its programs. Today, it's assistant football coach Rocky Hager. Hager has been a member of the Lions' coaching staff since 2013. He serves TCNJ as co-special teams coordinator, co-academic coordinator, and tight ends coach. Hager owns 46 years of football coaching experience. During his time at North Dakota State, he was a coach of four NCAA Championship teams, including two as a head coach.

You are now in your eighth year at TCNJ. What initially drew you to The College?

I had been coaching in Rhode Island and was looking for a place to coach closer to our home in Burlington County. The history of success on the field and in the classroom was exactly what I hoped to be a part of.

What do you find most special about the TCNJ community?

The student-athletes commitment to academic success and their ability to compete in the classroom while being committed to their various athletic endeavors. The regular support from administration, faculty, and staff makes a difference. The end result is outstanding graduates in their chosen fields and parts of their communities.

What is it about TCNJ that sets itself apart from other colleges and athletic programs?

The student-athletes' commitment to both academics and athletics doesn't happen everywhere. Our players are special because it IS who they are, and they expect it of themselves and their teammates.

What are some of your favorite memories and moments from your coaching career?

In 46 years of coaching it is tough to narrow this down. Some are a thrilling triple-overtime win in the NCAA Division II Playoffs in Pittsburg, KS., being a part of the upset of the 20^th century as Temple defeated #10 Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, going for a two-point conversion in overtime to allow Northeastern to defeat No. 2 New Hampshire, and the exciting TCNJ win over Christopher Newport in 2017.

Who are some of the people who have helped you the most in your coaching career?

Jim Wacker, head football coach at North Dakota State, TCU, and Minnesota, hired me to be a graduate assistant at NDSU and mentored me after he moved on.
Earle Solomonson, head football coach at NDSU, hired me to be the defensive coordinator at NDSU and mentored me as we won the 1985 and 1986 NCAA Division II Championships.
Adrian Sponberg, athletic director at NDSU, hired me as the NDSU head football coach in 1987.
Dave O'Brien, athletic director at Temple and Northeastern, hired me to be the head football coach at Northeastern.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your coaching career?

Finding jobs for 11 staff members and places for 80+ players to continue their education and play college football after Northeastern discontinued the sport in 2009.

Outside of coaching, what would people find interesting about your day-to-day life?

I enjoy the outdoors, enjoy fishing, and someday will resume a hunting passion. I am very picky about yardwork and home maintenance (perfect is the only acceptable result).

Is there anything you would like to say to all of the student-athletes that you have coached?

Having coached for 46 years, please accept my thanks for inspiring me to continue coaching. You give me thrills when something we have been teaching/drilling all of a sudden is mastered. I count my blessing every day because of former and current players and the energy I get from you.
When you have your opportunity to do something special (and you will), be sure to share it with someone special. The joy you experience gets multiplied! Godspeed!

The Extra Point- Asked from Sally Miller in last week's coaching profile: If you were not coaching, what other profession would you have?

It is not considered a profession. I'd probably be a rancher/farmer somewhere on the Great Plains.

Leave a question for next week's coach profile.

What drew you into coaching?

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