July 9, 2010
PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University head football coach Jerry Schmitt announced today that Dave Opfar, who served as head coach at Saint Francis, Pa. for the past eight seasons, has been named defensive coordinator and that fifth-year staff member Niel Loebig has been elevated to offensive coordinator.
It is the second stint at Duquesne for Opfar who began his college coaching career on the Bluff as the defensive line coach under Greg Gattuso in 1993. The McKeesport, Pa. native, who served on the Dukes' staff along with Schmitt, spent five years at Duquesne eventually serving as defensive coordinator for DU's 1996 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League championship team.
Loebig, who broke 13 of 15 Duquesne passing records as and undergraduate quarterback for the Dukes from 2001-04, has coached DU's quarterbacks since 2006. He added the title of passing game coordinator prior to last season.
"I've known Dave for a long time and have an immense amount of respect for him both as a person and as a football coach," said Schmitt. "His head coaching experience combined with his familiarity with the Northeast Conference will be a great benefit to the Duquesne program. He has a proven track record of motivating young men to be at their best both on the field and in the classroom. I'm pleased to welcome Dave back to the Bluff.
"With an emphasis on hard work, dedicated study, and a commitment to the student-athletes he works with; Niel Loebig is ready for the opportunity to lead our offense," added Schmitt. "His continued development as a young coach has earned respect from both our staff and his peers in the coaching profession."
Opfar, a graduate of South Allegheny High School, started at defensive tackle for Penn State's 1982 national championship team. A two-year starter, Opfar completed his undergraduate degree 1983. From there, it was on to the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League where he played for league championship teams in 1984 and 1985.
Following his USFL career, Opfar worked briefly as a counselor at a correctional facility for youths before signing a free agent contract with the Steelers in 1986. He started three games for Pittsburgh during the National Football League players' strike that year.
At the conclusion of his season with the Steelers, Opfar played three years in the Arena Football League with the Pittsburgh Gladiators (1988), Albany Firebirds (1989) and San Antonio Force (1990).
Opfar began his coaching career at Duquesne High School under former Penn State teammate Pat Monroe before coming to Duquesne to work with another PSU teammate in Gattuso.
Following his five seasons on the Bluff, Opfar returned to Penn State where he served as a graduate assistant offensive line coach on Joe Paterno's staff. After two years in State College, Pa., Opfar returned to western Pennsylvania to accept a position as defensive coordinator at Washington and Jefferson.
In his three seasons at W&J (1999-01), Opfar helped the Division III Presidents to a 29-6 record. Washington and Jefferson led the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) in fewest points allowed (sixth in the nation at 11.5 ppg), pass defense (90.2 yards/game), turnover margin (+12) and sacks (35) in his final season.
Opfar then moved on to Loretto, Pa. where he inherited a struggling Saint Francis, Pa. program that had lost 23 consecutive games and had a roster of 73 players prior to his taking over in 2002. During Opfar's tenure, the Saint Francis program made great strides, moving from the Pine Bowl to DeGol Field and seeing the addition of locker rooms and an updated weight room facility. Opfar's Red Flash produced the NEC's Offensive Player of the Year (Anthony Doria in 2005) and Defensive Rookie of the Year (Scott Lewis in 2007).
Opfar, who finished with a 17-68 record at Saint Francis, coached 28 All-NEC players including 10 over the past two seasons.
Opfar replaces interim defensive coordinator Dick Hopkins who accepted the position of defensive backs coach at Florida Atlantic University in mid February.
Loebig, who has helped two former DU quarterbacks to NCAA FCS top 15 pass efficiency ratings (Scott Knapp 5th in 2006 and Kevin Rombach 13th in 2007), assumed the title of passing game coordinator prior to this season.
One of a select group of players at all NCAA levels to throw for over 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns, Loebig led the Dukes to four consecutive MAAC titles, (2001-04) and a I-AA Mid-Major National Championship in 2003. He is the only Duquesne four-time first team All-MAAC player and only player in school history to throw for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in four different seasons.
After finishing at Duquesne, Loebig entertained offers from arenafootball2 teams prior to going into private business with his family and eventually into coaching.
