Rocky Hager enters his first season at Bryant University andwill be in charge of the defensive line. Hager joins the Bulldogsafter spending six seasons as the head coach at NortheasternUniversity.
A college football coach since 1979, Hager brings an impressiveresume to Smithfield. The Harvey, N. D., native won four nationalchampionships at North Dakota State during the 1980s. After winningtwo as an assistant coach in 1985 and 1986, Hager led his Bisonteam to a pair of undefeated seasons and Division II titles in 1988and 1990. In 10 years at North Dakota State, Hager compiled a91-25-1 record, winning five North Central Conference championshipsand advanced to the NCAA tournament seven years.
After the 1996 season, Hager was hired as an assistant coach atTemple University. He spent the next seven seasons with the Owls,coaching the quarterbacks, linebackers, tight ends and slotreceivers.
Following the seven-year stint in Philadelphia, Hager was hiredas the head coach at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. Hagerguided the Huskies for the next six seasons before the program wasdropped after the 2009 campaign. In his six years on HuntingtonAve., Hager posted a 20-47 overall record and a 16-32 record in thevery tough Colonial Athletic Association.
