Griffins welcome new football coach Daniel Day back to the Hill

Daniel Day coached for two seasons at Saint Joseph’s College following his assistant position at Seton Hill. At the time, he was the youngest head coach in Division II football. Photo from Seton Hill Athletics.

Daniel Day, a member of the first football team at Seton Hill University in 2005, was hired in December following the national search for a new head coach. The Griffins were 13-53 under former coach Isaac Collins and his staff, who were replaced after six seasons, including 1-10 in the 2018 season and 0-11 in 2017.

“When I got into coaching, this was always my dream job,” Day said. “I always wanted to be able to come back and help us feel that success when I was a player and do the same thing as a coach. This is always where I’ve wanted to be.”

Following his graduation in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history, Day was also on staff for two years as a graduate assistant while he was getting his master’s at SHU in elementary education. He was captain his senior year and helped the team go to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs and finish 10-3 in 2008.

Previously, Day coached at Saint Joseph’s College, a Division II college, in Rensselaer, Ind. He served as assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, offensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator before becoming head coach in 2014.

Day also worked as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Benedictine University in Illinois following the closure of Saint Joseph’s College in 2016, and then served as head football coach at Warren Local High School in Vincent, Ohio in 2018.

Recruiting is going “really well” despite being “so far behind,” Day said.

“Numbers-wise still have a lot of work to do,” Day said. “We won’t be done by signing day, but we have a handful of guys that we’re signing that have multiple PSAC offers, so I’m thrilled about that.”

Day said recruiting is similar to being a “salesman,” in which he can sell “better than other people” because of his alum status.

Head coach Daniel Day talks to Dan Flickinger of the Westmoreland Sports Network, the broadcast partner of Seton Hill University, during an interview following his hiring in December. Photo from westmorelandsports.com.

“I believe in the product,” Day said. “I believe in our education, the network of Setonians that you’re going to meet, I believe truly in what Seton Hill stands for and how it sets you up to be successful in life. I got to experience that and be a part of that. I’m selling something I truly was and believe in, and I know the success. I’m hoping to bring in other people who can experience the same love.”

“We still have a ton of work to do, but I’m really pleased with the work the staff has already done, and how well they’ve acclimated to what we want to do and how we want to improve,” Day said.

Originally from a small town near Youngstown, Ohio, Day returns to Greensburg with his wife and three kids, who he says he is excited to have around on campus.

“It’s hard to put into words to describe the pride that you feel at Seton Hill,” Day said. “The minute I drove on campus I knew this was the place I was going. That’s home, that’s where I felt comfortable.”

“It all comes down to mentality,” Day said. “Football is so much more than how fast you run, how strong you are. I don’t think our team has had a belief and a pride in this university and being a Griffin for a very long time.”

The team will be focusing on “team building,” “discipline” and “creating a great foundation for our culture.” They will also learn four pillars: character, pride, caring and winning.

“I fully believe that if you can teach these young men how to be winners in life, we’re going to win on the football field,” Day said. “If we can teach these aspects to our young men both in football and off the field, then all those skills will already help us on the field.”

“Long-term, I’m not interested in just winning some games next year,” Day said. “I’m more interested in developing something that’s going to last. I think that’s something that’s going to take some time to develop. What is great for anyone following Seton Hill football to know, we’re in a really unique position. We’re actually going to be very old next year. So as long as those guys believe in what we’re doing and buy into the off-season, we actually can be really successful right away.”

Published By: Stephen Dumnich

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