Spring Break
Rizzi makes surprise play for Miami Dolphins' assistant coaching position
Kayla Panu
Issue date: 2/24/09 Section: News
02/24/09 -After spending 14 months with the Rams, University of Rhode Island head football coach Darren Rizzi announced on Saturday that he is stepping down to become an assistant special teams coach for the Miami Dolphins.
Rizzi could not be reached for comment but according to Gorhody.com, he said, "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as the head coach of the Rhode Island football program. My 14 months here in Kingston have been a tremendous experience both personally and professionally."
Rizzi was hired at the University of Rhode Island for the head coach position in December 2007. From 1994-96, Rizzi staffed at New Haven where he met Tony Sparano, now the Dolphins head coach.
Rizzi said on Gorhody.com, "This was a very difficult decision to make because of my strong emotional ties to the school. However, the chance to coach with Tony Sparano again and to work for the Miami Dolphins organization is an opportunity that is best for my family and I."
"I wish he could stay longer," URI Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn said. "I wish him and his family well. We have to continue on."
This season, Rizzi was looking to rebuild the department. According to a Cigar article from September 2008 Rizzi had said, "Probably our number one goal is overall improvement in the program. We want progress in every area and to improve in every aspect. This spring we had the best academic year. We are trying not to focus on the result."
Rizzi continued to explain in this article how this team is already different from last year. "We are not trying to just put all our focus on one season but to lay the foundation and build consistency," he said.
The team opened its season with a 27-24 win against Monmouth University. The Rams took control of the game quickly taking a 17-3 lead into halftime. Rizzi had said that the win was a more exciting one than it had to be in reference to the late scouring by Monmouth. The Hawks had closed the deficit to ten with URI leading 27-17 but the Rams closed it out.
Rizzi could not be reached for comment but according to Gorhody.com, he said, "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as the head coach of the Rhode Island football program. My 14 months here in Kingston have been a tremendous experience both personally and professionally."
Rizzi was hired at the University of Rhode Island for the head coach position in December 2007. From 1994-96, Rizzi staffed at New Haven where he met Tony Sparano, now the Dolphins head coach.
Rizzi said on Gorhody.com, "This was a very difficult decision to make because of my strong emotional ties to the school. However, the chance to coach with Tony Sparano again and to work for the Miami Dolphins organization is an opportunity that is best for my family and I."
"I wish he could stay longer," URI Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn said. "I wish him and his family well. We have to continue on."
This season, Rizzi was looking to rebuild the department. According to a Cigar article from September 2008 Rizzi had said, "Probably our number one goal is overall improvement in the program. We want progress in every area and to improve in every aspect. This spring we had the best academic year. We are trying not to focus on the result."
Rizzi continued to explain in this article how this team is already different from last year. "We are not trying to just put all our focus on one season but to lay the foundation and build consistency," he said.
The team opened its season with a 27-24 win against Monmouth University. The Rams took control of the game quickly taking a 17-3 lead into halftime. Rizzi had said that the win was a more exciting one than it had to be in reference to the late scouring by Monmouth. The Hawks had closed the deficit to ten with URI leading 27-17 but the Rams closed it out.
