INDIANA, Pa. – Current IUP football defensive coordinator Paul Tortorella has been named the program's acting head coach throughout the 2017 season. Former head coach Curt Cignetti left for the same position at Elon University, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
 
"It is an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to lead the IUP football program," Tortorella said. "I would like to thank Dr. Michael Driscoll, Dr. Rhonda Luckey, and Steve Roach for showing their support and confidence in me to take on this challenge.
 
"I would also like to thank all of the current and former players and coaches who I have relationships with who have helped to make this possible," Tortorella continued. "IUP is a great institution, and the town of Indiana is a great community, that we hope to make proud while representing with both class and dignity."
 
Dr. Driscoll, president of IUP, is happy to appoint Coach Tortorella to this new role.
 
"Coach Tortorella brings decades of successful coaching experience and wisdom and has earned the respect of his peers, his players, and the IUP community," Driscoll said. "I'm looking forward to where Paul will take our great football program next season." 
 
Tortorella finished his 22nd season as IUP's defensive coordinator in 2016, while also serving as the program's associate head coach since 2011. The veteran coach has directed one of the best defensive units in Division II, consistently finishing near the top of the nation in several statistical categories each year.
 
IUP finished third in the country in both interceptions (24) and turnovers forced (35) in 2016, and ranked in the top 12 in six defensive categories – scoring, interceptions, turnovers forced, red zone, third down percentage, and touchdowns – in 2015. The Crimson Hawks advanced to the postseason in each of the last two seasons, combining for a 19-5 overall record.
 
"I'm excited for Coach Tortorella to have this opportunity to lead the IUP football program," IUP Athletic Director Steve Roach said. "Paul is a great football mind, but more importantly, is dedicated to the overall success of our student-athletes and continuing the tradition of IUP football." 
 
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.
 
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.
 
During his tenure as defensive coordinator, IUP teams have gone 177-67 (.725) with 10 NCAA Division II playoff appearances and nine PSAC West outright or shared division titles.
 
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.

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.
 
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