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Contact Coach Loose: John Loose is in his 10th season as Lafayette's defensive coordinator and has been with Frank Tavani for his entire tenure as head coach. It is no coincidence that during that time, Lafayette has featured a dominant defense under his inventive direction, a corps that consistently ranks in the top 20 statistically. Positionally, Loose will take over coaching the linebackers in 2009, previously focusing on the defensive backs. He will look to team captain and Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Mark Leggiero to head that group.
Loose is coming off a 2008 season when he selected as the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Assistant Coach of the Year for his work on the gridiron and his dedication to Lauren's First and Goal Foundation, an organization he started in 2004 to raise money for pediatric brain tumor research. His work with Lauren's First and Goal has generated over $750,000 dollars and blossomed into one of the largest one-day football clinics in the country. On the field in 2008, under the leadership of two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Andy Romans, Lafayette finished eighth in the nation in scoring defense (17.6 ppg), 10th in rushing defense (92.2 ypg) and 20th in total defense (303.2 ypg). In 2007, Loose coached the top-ranked defense in the country, as his Leopards allowed an NCAA-best 260.9 yards per game. Lafayette was also ranked fourth in rushing defense (85.7 ypg), eighth in scoring defense (16.9 ppg) and 15th in pass efficiency defense (108.3). That defense included Romans and six All-Patriot League selections. In 2006, Loose guided a defense that was the best in the conference at stopping the run, allowing just 139 yards per game on the ground. Six players from the 2006 squad earned all-league honors, including graduated seniors Marvin Snipes and Torian Johnson who were recognized for the second times in their career along with first-time selection Dan Liseno. Kyle Sprenkle, Adrian Lawson and Andy Romans also collected All-Patriot League honors and will anchor the defense in 2007. In 2005, the Leopards were ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation in five categories, including ninth in scoring defense (17.0 ppg) and 11th in total defense (296.9 ypg). Linebacker Maurice Bennett was a finalist for the Buchanan Award and was recognized as an All-American by five national organizations after leading Lafayette with 133 tackles and seven sacks. Fellow linebackers Blake Costanzo and Dion Witherspoon were also named to the All-Patriot League team and combined with Bennett for 329 tackles as seniors. Constanzo is currently playing in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. The Leopards' defense stepped up in the 2004 Patriot League championship run, holding the league opposition to 15.2 points and 103.7 rushing yards per game to lead the league in both categories. Loose's charges allowed 14 scoring opportunities inside the 20-yard line and five red zone touchdowns in six games. The 2003 unit forced 15 fumbles with Wes Erbe accounting for five himself, tied for second-most nationally. Loose spent eight years at West Point after arriving in 1992. He spent two seasons assisting with Army's defensive secondary and linebacker positions. During the 1994 and 1995 campaigns, he served as head junior varsity coach while also mentoring the varsity outside linebackers. With his guidance, Army ranked sixth in the nation in rushing defense during a 10-2 season in 1996. Before signing on with Bob Sutton's staff at Army, Loose spent three seasons at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as an assistant, serving as both defensive coordinator and defensive secondary coach under head coach Tom Bell. Following a stellar prep football career at Watkins Glen High School, Loose opted to concentrate on his track abilities and forged a standout collegiate career at Ithaca College. A five-time NCAA qualifier and All-America choice, Loose specialized in the high jump and remains the school record-holder with a leap of 6-10 1/4. He earned four letters each indoors and outdoors prior to graduating in 1987 with a bachelor of science degree in Physical Education and a minor in Psychology. In addition to his athletic slate at Ithaca, Loose assisted with several local high school squads, serving on the staff at Corning West High School in 1986 after two years at his alma mater, Watkins Glen High. The Watkins Glen, N.Y. native began his coaching career at Albany in 1987, coaching the Great Danes' defensive backs for two seasons before departing for the Coast Guard Academy in 1989. While at Albany, Loose earned his master of science degree in Curriculum Planning and Development. Loose and his wife, Marianne, reside in Forks Township with their daughters, Lauren and Grace. |
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