Former National Football League All-Pro Offensive Lineman Chris Villarrial was named the 25th
head coach of the Saint Francis University football program on December 20, 2009. After serving one year as the offensive coordinator under predecessor Dave Opfar, Villarrial will continue to bring his years of knowledge and experience to the Red Flash.
“It
is with great excitement that Saint Francis University welcomes Chris
Villarrial as our new head football coach,” Saint Francis Director of Athletics Bob Krimmel said . “His passion, knowledge of the game, vision for the
future and commitment to Saint Francis impressed the search committee,
and...our players are
excited to work with coach Villarrial in his new role as they chart a
new and dynamic future for the Red Flash football program.”
Villarrial takes charge of a Red Flash football program that
finished 2-9 overall and 1-7 in the Northeast Conference. A native of
Hershey, Pa., Villarrial spent 11 seasons in the NFL as an offensive
lineman with the Chicago Bears (1996-2004) and the Buffalo Bills
(2004-06).
“I knew from the moment I started here that Saint
Francis was a perfect fit for me,” said Villarrial, who is a resident
of nearby Ebensburg. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to build
a strong football program that will bring national honor and prestige
to this university."
In his first season in
Loretto, Villarrial designed and implemented a successful West Coast
Offense that saw the Red Flash improve from 11.4. ppg in 2008 to 15.6
ppg in 2009, against the toughest schedule in school history. Saint
Francis also averaged over 100 rushing yards per game (115.9) after
averaging just 70.1 rushing yards per game in 2008.
Villarrial
had two players – senior offensive lineman Cody Kekipi (Waimanalo,
Hawaii / Punahou) and senior wide receiver Antoine Rivera (Willingboro,
N.J. / Willingboro) – named to the all-Northeast Conference first or
second team. He also oversaw the development of freshman running
back/kick return specialist Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa. / Easton Area),
who was a finalist for Northeast Conference Offensive
Rookie-of-the-Year honors after leading the team in all-purpose yardage
(103.9 yards per game), which was good for seventh in the Northeast
Conference.
Also during his
first season in Loretto, Villarrial helped the Red Flash to an improved
record after a winless season in 2008, and guided the Red Flash to the
second-best single-game rushing total in school history, a 427-yard
performance in a victory over in-state Northeast Conference rival
Duquesne.
Villarrial made an impression on NFL scouts prior by
breaking the NFL Combine Bench Press Record, and was then drafted in
the fifth round (152nd overall) by current Pittsburgh
Panthers head coach Dave Wannstedt in April of 1996. As a member of the
Chicago Bears from 1996-2004, Villarrial played six seasons under head
coach Dick Jauron, and was a two-year All-Pro player, a member of the
All-Madden Team, and a four-year Pro Bowl alternate. He paved the way
for a 1000-yard rusher every season, blocked for Anthony Thomas, who
was the NFL Offensive Rookie-of-the-Year in 2001, and was a member of
an offensive line that gave up the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2001,
when the Bears advanced to the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. He also
received the Golden Bear Award, which is given to the rookie who has
perfect attendance in the weight room.
Villarrial was one of the
most sought out free agents in Buffalo Bills history for head coach
Mike Mularkey, and continued his streak of 1,000-yard rushers every
season with the Bills. He was a member of an offensive line that gave
up the fewest sacks in franchise history. Villarrial, who also played
two seasons in Buffalo under coach Jauron, finished his NFL career with
148 starts.
Following his professional career, Villarrial
returned to Ebensburg, where he served two seasons as the offensive
coordinator for the Central Cambria High School football team. He led
the team to two district title games, and personally helped 13 players
continue their playing careers at the collegiate level, while
developing and implementing a successful strength and conditioning
program.
Villarrial, who has been active in the community with
Special Olympics and cancer research funding, played his collegiate
football for head coach Frank Cignetti at Indiana University of
Pennsylvania, where he studied Special Education, with a concentration
in rehabilitation. While playing for IUP, Villarrial was a three-year
All-American and three-year all-conference player. He played in the
1993 Division II national championship game, and received the Jim
Langer Award for Best Lineman in Division II in 1996. Villarrial had
his college jersey No. 75 retired on Oct. 28th, 2
He
is a 1991 graduate of Hershey High School, where he played for head
coach Bob “Gump” May. Hershey retired Villarrial’s high school jersey
No. 78 on May 5, 2001.