Every off season the coaching carousel sweeps up nearly all the professional and college football teams, and this year Elon is no different.

Caught in it this year was defensive backs coach and specials teams coordinator Tony Trisciani, who has moved to Whitehall High School in Whitehall Pa., to become the head coach.

“It’s a great opportunity; that’s a very good high school program, with a lot of tradition,” head coach Pete Lembo said. “He did a great job here and a great job getting a lot of our foundation in place. In all the days we’ve worked together at Lehigh and Elon I don’t regret one single day, he did a fantastic job and he leaves big shoes to fill.”

Along with the exit of Trisciani was the promotion of defensive ends coach Shane Burnham to include special teams’ coordinator. Burnham will continue to act as defensive ends coach.

“Anytime you lose an assistant coach, hopefully, you’ve done a good job surrounding yourself with good people and there are ways that you can redistribute responsibility,” Lembo said. “In this case I felt very good about immediately promoting Shane Burnham into the special teams’ role.”

Joining the Phoenix next year will be Brian Newberry, who will become the team’s new defensive backs coach. Newberry spent the last three years with Washington and Lee University as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.

Since his tenure at Lehigh, Lembo has kept a close eye on Newberry, a prime candidate for the job. Newberry was on the Lehigh staff during the 2003 season.

“[Coaching at Lehigh] didn’t get him this job but it got him on the short list,” Lembo said. “He’s coached position for a number of years and he’s also been a defensive coordinator for a couple of years. He’s a detailed teacher and a good communicator; he’s very easy to work with.”

Newberry’s defense at Washington and Lee was ranked second in NCAA-III in rushing defense and 22nd in total defense.

Managing Editor: Justin Hite - 03/01/07