Dave Opfar, the former head coach at Saint Francis U for eight seasons, is in his 11th year as defensive coordinator for the Dukes.
Opfar's impact on the program can be seen in the drastic improvement shown by the defense since his arrival.
Last season, the Dukes closed the year leading the Northeast Conference and ranking seventh in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in pass defense, limiting opponents to 168.8 yards through the air per game. Despite a number of injuries throughout the year, Opfar's defense capped the season 10th in the country in total defense, holding the opposition to 298.4 yards per game. Duquesne also allowed the fewest first downs in the nation (163).
Four Dukes garnered All-NEC honors, including a pair of first team selections in defensive lineman Kam Carter and defensive back Reid Harrison-Ducros. The Duquesne defense also landed two on the All-NEC second team: defensive lineman Chris Favoroso and linebacker Brendan Thompson.
In 2018, when the Dukes earned their fifth NEC title, second Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoff berth and first-ever FCS Playoff victory in program history, five players garnered All-NEC recognition under Opfar's guidance. Defensive lineman Kam Carter and defensive back Jonathant Istache were both named to the First Team while defensive end Jalen Booker, defensive back Brandon Stanback and linebacker Brett Zanotto all collected Second Team laurels.
Istache closed the season fourth in the country in passes defended with a league-high four interceptions and 15 passes defended.
In 2017, the Dukes ranked second in the NEC in both scoring defense (23.8 ppg.) and rushing defense (141.5ypg.). Five Duquesne players earned All-NEC honors on the defensive side of the ball under Opfar in 2017, including a trio of First Team selections in linebacker Carter Henderson, defensive lineman Andy Struttmann and defensive back Abner Roberts.
In 2016, the Dukes, led by All-American linebacker Christian Kuntz ranked 10th nationally in total defense, giving up an average of 314.1 yards per game. DU was second in total first downs allowed (172) and 19th in third-down conversion defense (.331).
Opfar inherited a unit that finished ranked 83rd in FCS total defense in 2009. In 2010, the defense ranked 50th and in 2011 improved to fourth, giving up an average of 281.6 yards per game. The 2011 defense, which led the NEC in total defense, scoring defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense also produced a third team Associated Press All-America in safety Serge Kona.
In 2012, Opfar's defense ranked third in the NEC in scoring and 61st nationally in total defense despite seven true freshmen seeing meaningful action. DU also produced just its fourth Sports Network All-American in junior linebacker Dorian Bell (3rd team).
The 2014 defense returned nine starters from a 2013 unit which was third in the NEC in scoring defense (23.0 ppg.) and total defense (325.5 ypg.). The 2014 Dukes ranked fourth in the NEC in scoring defense (21.5 ppg.) and fourth in total defense (326.0 ypg.).
Duquesne led the NEC in scoring defense (19.2 ppg.) while finishing second in both interceptions (16) and rushing defense (135.8 ypg.) in earning the school's first FCS Playoff appearance in 2015.
This 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.
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 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 an NEC Offensive Player of the Year (current DU quarterbacks coach 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 in his last two seasons.
A graduate of South Allegheny High School, Opfar started at defensive tackle for Penn State's 1982 national championship team. A two-year starter, Opfar completed his undergraduate degree in 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 resides in Elizabeth, Pa. with his daughter Ashley.
