Moon Township, Pa. - Robert Morris University head football coach Joe Walton announced today that Mauro Monz has joined the coaching staff for the 2010 season. A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Monz will serve as a special offensive assistant for the Colonials.
Monz is no stranger to the program, having served three seasons as RMU's quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator from 1997 to 1999. The 2010 season marks his 14th as a coach in the collegiate ranks.
Prior to rejoining the RMU staff, Monz spent the last four seasons at the University of Akron of the Mid-American Conference, serving as the director of football operations in 2006 and wide receivers coach from 2007 to 2009. While with the Zips, Monz tutored five All-MAC wide receivers, including Jabari Arthur, who established an Akron single-season record for receptions with 86 in 2007, compiling 1,171 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
Monz also was instrumental in the development of former Akron wide receiver Deryn Bowser, who finished with 64 catches for 785 yards in 2008 and is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals. As recruiting coordinator with the Zips, Monz recruited linebacker Brian Wagner, who finished with 120 tackles in 2009 and was named a freshman All-American.
Prior to Akron, Monz spent the 2005 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Duquesne. The stint was his second with the Dukes, as he served in the same positions during the 2001 and 2002 campaigns. During his first two seasons with Duquesne, Monz helped the Dukes finish 12th and 11th, respectively, in the nation in scoring offense.
In 2003 and 2004, Monz served as head coach at West Virginia Tech. At 29 years old at the time of his hiring, Monz was the youngest head coach in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) since Rich Rodriguez. In 2000, Monz served as assistant recruiting coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh, helping land a Top 25 recruiting class that featured Larry Fitzgerald and Tyler Palko.
During his first stint at Robert Morris, Monz helped recruit former quarterback Tim Levcik (1998-2001), who is the program's all-time leading passer. Under Monz's guidance, Levcik was named the 1998 NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year. Monz was a part of three NEC champion squads at Robert Morris, including a 1999 I-AA mid-major national championship.
A four-year starter at cornerback at Duquesne from 1992 to 1995, Monz earned All-MAAC First Team honors in 1994 and 1995 and finished his career with 12 interceptions.
Monz earned his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Duquesne in 1996 and a Master of Science degree in instructional leadership from Robert Morris in 1999. He and his wife, Dana, have three children, daughter Dea and sons Domonic and Dylan.
Led by the only coach in the history of the program in Walton, RMU opens its 17th intercollegiate football training camp with its first practice Tuesday, August 10, at Joe Walton Stadium.
The Colonials will open the 2010 season Saturday, Sept. 4, with a 1:00 p.m. tilt against Dayton at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio.
