Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Paul Tortorella enters his seventh season at the helm of the nationally-ranked Crimson Hawks in 2024 and has put together the best start by any head coach in program history.

The 2022 PSAC West Coach of the Year, Tortorella helped the Crimson Hawks to a sterling 10-2 record that included a PSAC Championship and bye in the opening round of the 2022 NCAA DII Football Playoffs. 

Tortorella reached 30 wins faster than any other coach in IUP history, hitting the mark in just 35 games during the 2019 season. College Football Hall of Famer and legendary IUP head coach Frank Cignetti (1985-2005) took 38 games to reach his first 30 victories back in the mid '80s. 

Through his first five seasons, Tortorella carries a 48-11 (.814) overall record with three NCAA playoff berths; regional, two PSAC and two division titles; and a 10-5 record against ranked opponents. The .814 win percentage is the fifth-best mark of any Division II team - and best of any PSAC program - during that time. It also gives Tortorella the third-best win percentage among active Division II coaches with four or more years of experience. 

He's earned Division II, Super Region One, and two PSAC West Coach of the Year honors. 

Tortorella has also had the Crimson Hawks ranked in the top-25 in 50 of the possible 64 national polls during his five years, including a three-week run at No. 1 in the media poll during the 2017 season. 

Tortorella has overseen the development of arguably the most talented team not only in the PSAC, but one of the best in the country. Tortorella has helped 15 players combine for 26 All-American nods, including center Jeff Arnold and linebacker Damon Lloyd, both two-time All-Americans who finished their careers in 2019. In addition, IUP players have combined for 28 all-region and 84 All-PSAC West awards during that time. As head coach, Tortorella has helped his team lead the division in all-conference selections four times, including a program-record 17 in 2021.

IUP began the 2022 season with seven consecutive victories, notching a 10-2 mark overall. The Hawks won the PSAC Western division with key victories over rival Slippery Rock and Cal U throughout the season, advancing to the "State Game". 

The Crimson Hawks held off Shepherd for a 24-21 victory at a rainy Miller Stadium on November 12, 2022. The Crimson Hawks recorded two shutout victories in 2022, eventually earning the top seed and a bye in the 2022 NCAA DII Super Region One Playoffs. 

IUP opened its playoff run with a 19-13 home victory against Ashland on November 26, 2022 at Miller Stadium. 
 

In 2019 he led the Crimson Hawks to a 10-2 record and the program's 19th NCAA postseason berth. Those two losses came by a combined seven points as the Crimson Hawks had a point differential of +26.9 on the year, one of the best marks in Division II. 

Tortorella refocused the offense in 2019 to be more of a passing attack behind transfer quarterback Quinton Maxwell. Both Maxwell and the offense responded and had some of the best years in program history. Maxwell set IUP season records with 3,129 passing yards and 38 total touchdowns, with his 34 passing touchdowns the second-most. The offense set school records for passing yards, passing yards per game, and passing touchdowns, while the 476.7 total yards per game is the second-highest mark in the program's history. 

In his debut 2017 season he guided the Crimson Hawks to a 13-1 record, a Western Division regular season title, the PSAC championship, and the program's seventh NCAA Division II national semifinalist berth. He was an obvious choice for PSAC West Coach of the Year, and also earned Super Region One and Division II Coach of the Year honors. 

His 13 wins to start his career was a first for an IUP football coach and tied for the longest win streak in program history. The Crimson Hawks spent all year in the top-10, including a three-week run as the No. 1 team in the media top-25. The Crimson Hawks were the top-ranked team in each of the NCAA's regional rankings (which determine playoff berths and seeding), and went into the national semifinal round as the top-ranked team

Tortorella saw seven players earn All-American honors while the team set a record with 18 total all-conference honorees (16 first-or-second teamers, two special awards). 

The Crimson Hawks set or tied single season program records in total offense (6,375 yards), completion percentage (.642), first downs (335), first downs per game (23.9), wins and consecutive wins (13). Junior quarterback Lenny Williams also set an IUP record with 3,195 yards of total offense. 
 

A longtime IUP assistant coach, Paul Tortorella stepped into the head coaching role in 2017 and led IUP to one of the best seasons in program history. 

Leading a balanced offensive powerhouse and one of the best defenses in Division II, Tortorella and the Crimson Hawks went 13-1, won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship, and advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals for the first time since 1999. 

IUP won the outright PSAC West regular season title as the only undefeated team in the division and defeated West Chester 24-7 on the road for the conference title. The Crimson Hawks earned the top seed in Super Region One in the NCAA playoffs, defeated West Chester (44-10) and Assumption (27-22) to win the region, and entered the national semifinals against West Florida as the top overall seed.

The 13 consecutive wins and 13-1 overall mark both tied IUP records. The Crimson Hawks finished the year ranked third in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Top 25, the highest season-ending ranking for IUP in in the current set up of the poll. They also reached the No. 1 ranking in the D2Football.com weekly poll in the final weeks heading into the postseason.

The Crimson Hawks went 4-0 against ranked teams, defeating (RV/18) Ashland 26-23, (16/16) California 26-10, (9/13) Slippery Rock 34-17, and (15/15) Assumption 27-22.
 
Tortorella was named the Division II co-Coach and Super Region One Coach of the Year by the Don Hansen Football Gazette. He also earned PSAC West Coach of the Year and IUP Men's Coach of the Year honors. 

Originally given the interim tag heading into the season, Tortorella was officially named IUP's head coach on November 14, 2017, just a few days after winning the PSAC championship. 

Tortorella saw his first team finish in the top 25 of Division II in nine different statistical categories, including first downs (3rd, 335); rushing offense (9th, 256.1); rushing defense (9th, 89.9); defensive pass efficiency (10th, 97.23); scoring defense (13th, 15.7); offensive pass efficiency (15th, 158.08); 3rd down conversion pct. (15th, .473); total defense (18th, 287.5); and total offense (25th, 455.4). 

Several individuals also saw success in Tortorella's first season, as IUP set a program record for All-Americans with seven players combining for 12 AA nods. Max Redfield was a 1st team selection by the AFCA and D2Football.com, and honorable mention by Don Hansen Football Gazette. JR Stevens was a 1st team AP All-America and Jerron Searles was a second team selection by the AP and D2CCA. 

Redfield was also a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, QB Lenny Williams, Jr. was a nominee for the Harlon Hill Award, and DT Jemal Averette was nominated for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year award. 

IUP also set a program record with 18 total PSAC selections, including Justice Evans as the Freshman of the Year and Tortorella's Coach of the Year honor. 
 

Tortorella was named the 12th head coach of the IUP football program on January 3. 
 
Tortorella brings years of experience and knowledge to his new position, spending the last 22 seasons as IUP’s defensive coordinator. He has a background as IUP’s safeties coach – he also served as the associate head coach from 2011-16 – but will look to direct the team as a whole and will move away from calling defenses as he transitions to head coach.
 
His first major task at the helm of the program came just less than a month after taking over, as he put the finishing touches on a 19-member recruiting class. His first signing class was an even mixture of offensive and defensive players, with 16 hailing from the state of Pennsylvania.
 
On March 28, Tortorella announced his completed coaching staff. Returning assistants moving into new roles include: Jim Smith as the new defensive coordinator, while also remaining at linebackers; Johnny Franco moving from cornerbacks to safeties; and John Pettina takes over coaching the “Star” position after helping out Tortorella with the safeties.
 
New assistant hires were Tate Gregory as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach; Christian Bryan as the wide receivers coach; and Jameson Zacharias as the cornerbacks coach. Gregory came from Charleston, while Bryan was at Carnegie Mellon and Zacharias coached at Central Michigan.
 
Tortorella’s first semester as the IUP head coach wrapped up with spring practice in March and April. The Crimson Hawks held a scrimmage at the mid-way point and a spring game on April 21.
 
INDIANA GAZETTE (APRIL 22, 2017) | Crimson Hawks close out spring with some fun

He also was able to see two-time All-American Ethan Cooper sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent at the conclusion of the 2017 NFL Draft in April. Cooper had multiple on-campus visits from teams, including the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texas and Jacksonville Jaguars, among others.

Since coming to IUP, Tortorella has directed a defense that has consistently ranked among the best in the nation. His extensive knowledge of schematics and personnel has made him one of the most respected coaches in the area.
 
In 2016, Tortorella guided an opportunistic defensive unit that ranked third in Division II with 24 interceptions and 35 caused turnovers. IUP’s six total defensive touchdowns was tied for sixth in the country, while its .674 defensive red zone percentage was 20th.
 
For six straight games the Crimson Hawks limited opponents to 20 points or less, with high-scoring rival Slippery Rock finishing with just 19 in IUP’s blowout mid-October victory. First round playoff opponent Fairmont State, which had a 10-1 record and averaged 30.0 points in the regular season, was limited to just 13 points by Tortorella’s crew.
 
INDIANA GAZETTE (SEPT. 4, 2014) | Tortorella keeping ahead of the times

In 2015, the Crimson Hawks finished the year ranked in the top 12 in six defensive categories – scoring, interceptions, turnovers forced, red zone, third down percentage, and touchdowns – finishing with a 9-3 overall record.
 
The Crimson Hawks advanced to the postseason in each of the last two seasons, combining for a 19-5 overall record.
 

2012 was one of Tortorella’s best seasons, as he was named the NCAA Division II Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop. Under Tortorella’s guidance, IUP led the nation in total and scoring defense, while also ranking third in rushing defense, during a season in which the Crimson Hawks won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship, and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals with a 12-2 record.

FOOTBALLSCOOP (DEC. 17, 2012) | Tortorella named Division II Coordinator of the Year
 
The Crimson Hawks gave up just 257.9 yards and 12.5 points per game, recording three shutouts and holding opponents to 10 points or fewer four additional times. IUP gave up an average of 80.1 rushing yards per outing, holding opponents to less than 100 yards nine times during the season. Offenses managed just 2.6 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns in 439 carries.
 
The passing defense was also tough to crack, as IUP finished 17th in the nation by giving up 177.8 yards per game and 14th with a defensive pass efficiency of 101.85. Nine times quarterbacks failed to complete 50.0 percent of their passes against the Crimson Hawks, including each of the last four games. IUP racked up 20 interceptions and gave up just 14 touchdown passes.
 
IUP also ranked first in opponents first downs (14.4 per game); second in turnover margin (+1.50 per game); 12th in turnovers (35); tied for 27th in red zone efficiency (68 percent – 21 scores in 31 trips); and 32nd in third down defense (33.9 percent – 64-for-189).
 

Since Tortorella’s first season with the program in 1995, 15 IUP defensive players have earned All-American honors, while 107 have been named to All-PSAC West teams. Four players have been named PSAC Defensive Player of the Year under Tortorella, with two freshmen earning conference rookie of the year accolades.
 
IUP compiled a record of 177-69 (.720) during Tortorella’s 22 seasons leading the defense, as the program won nine outright or shared PSAC West regular season titles and earned 10 NCAA playoff berths.
 

Tortorella got his coaching start on the prep level in 1985, serving as linebackers coach at Mount Lebanon High School. He then began a nine-year stint as an assistant coach at a pair of Division I universities, including six at Maryland and three at Akron.
 
He joined the Maryland staff as a graduate assistant working with linebackers and the secondary from 1986-87 followed by one year as a volunteer assistant secondary coach. In 1989, he was hired on a full-time basis as special team’s coordinator and tight ends coach, and he added halfbacks to his list of responsibilities in 1990.
 
In 1992, Tortorella departed Maryland for Akron, where he coached defensive backs through the 1994 season before joining the IUP staff.
 
During his career, Tortorella has coached two players who went on to successful NFL careers. Defensive back Victor Green (Akron) played with the New York Jets from 1993-2001, the New England Patriots in 2002 and the New Orleans Saints in 2003 while tight end Frank Wycheck (Maryland) retired after the 2003 season following an 11-year pro career which saw him catch 505 passes.
 
Three IUP cornerbacks have earned All-America recognition during Tortorella’s time at IUP, including Barry Threats (1997 and 1998), Joey Flora (2001) and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (2008 and 2009).
 
Tortorella is a 1985 graduate of Slippery Rock with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. He and his wife, Michele, are the parents of Luke, Annalise, Zachary and Michael.


Updated July 19, 2023