Bill Hurley is entering his eighth season as an assistant coach at Robert Morris University and coaches defensive backs.
After serving as an assistant defensive backs coach in his first three seasons, Hurley was elevated to full-time status and took over the primary defensive backs coach role prior to the 2012 season.
Hurley has seen his defensive backs take home 10 All-NEC honors in his time at RMU, six by corners and four by safeties, in addition to a major postseason award.
The RMU secondary continued to thrive under Hurley in 2015 as two Colonials, corner Marcelis Branch and safety Andy Smigiera, took home All-NEC awards, with the former taking home First Team accolades. Robert Morris allowed opponents to complete only 50.2% of their passes in 2015, a mark nearly 11% below the national median and the best such mark by a Colonial team in nine years. The Colonials limited foes to just 11.6 yards per completion, the second best mark in program history, and only 5.8 yards per attempt, a mark which led the league. The Colonials ranked among the top two in the league, and among the top 20 nationally, in both fewest passing yards allowed and passing efficiency defense. In fact, Robert Morris allowed a league-low 138.5 passing yards per game in conference play, a mark which was 24.7 yards clear of the second-place team.
Despite starting two true freshmen and a redshirt freshman in the secondary in 2014, Hurley kept RMU performing at an admirable level as the Colonials still ranked among the top 30 nationally in passing defense. Antwan Eddie led this veteran group in earning his second straight all-league accolade.
In the 2013 season, Robert Morris led the league in passing defense efficiency within league play as the secondary held opponents to a meager 87.3 passing rating—the second lowest mark by any NEC team since 2006. The Colonials led the league in interceptions within NEC play (14) and finished the season second in passing defense in conference contests (149.0).
Hurley’s efforts also helped RMU finish the regular season among the top 25 nationally in passing defense, passing efficiency defense, turnovers gained, interceptions and total defense, all while having seven different players start a game in the secondary.
Eddie was the latest in a line of RMU defensive backs to be honored with an All-NEC award in 2013. Eddie’s work was best on display in November when he was matched up against the NEC’s all-time leading receiver Jordan Harris. Harris the league in nearly every receiving category in 2013, but Eddie held him to a mere two catches for 22 yards, Harris' second-lowest yardage output in his final 30 games, while also adding two interceptions and a pass breakup on the day.
In 2012, Hurley helped true freshman Marcelis Branch burst onto the scene and claim the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Award along with All-NEC honors at defensive back. Branch was the only freshman to earn All-NEC honors in 2012 and was, in fact, the first true freshman to claim an All-NEC award at any position since 2009.
In his 10 contests, Branch was a turnover machine as he led the NEC by forcing five turnovers, combining interceptions and forced fumbles, in regular-season play. He posted 58 tackles on the season, including a team-high 35 solo stops, and tallied six pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Hurley helped Cameron Chadwick claim an All-NEC award in his first season with the program in 2011 after leading the team with 80 tackles.
Hurley’s work with the secondary in 2010 was one reason why the Colonials claimed their sixth league title. RMU’s 18 interceptions led the NEC and were the program’s highest figure in 11 years.
Under Hurley’s guidance, both Rolf Bathold and Michael Landers earned their second consecutive All-NEC honor in 2010. Landers netted 58 tackles and five interceptions in 2010 while Bathold made 49 stops, including 40 of the solo variety, along with two picks and three pass breakups.
Hurley’s arrival in 2009 helped make an immediate impact on the Colonials. RMU ranked fifth in the nation in passing efficiency defense (99.95) and sixth in passing yards allowed per game (145.36). The 2009 squad also registered 14 interceptions in NEC play compared to only five in conference contests in the year prior to Hurley’s arrival.
Bathold earned his first All-NEC award under Hurley in 2009 courtesy of 53 tackles, including 39 solo, along with three interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Landers also was honored and posted 80 tackles and seven passes defended.
Prior to joining the staff at RMU, Hurley served as defensive backs coach at Duquesne from 2004-07, with the Dukes claiming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championships each season. He coached a secondary at Duquesne that was honored with 13 All-MAAC selections over his four years, including four each in 2005 and 2006.
A 1980 graduate of Syracuse, Hurley was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Orange. Over his career he established 23 school records, was a two-time captain and a two-time Honorable Mention All-American. In 1979 he was honored as the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year.
As a senior at Syracuse, Hurley, along with teammates Joe Morris, Art Monk, Craig Wolfley and Gary Anderson, helped the Orange to a berth in the Independence Bowl, the program's first bowl appearance in 12 years.
Drafted as a safety in the fourth round of the 1980 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hurley played for the New Orleans Saints in 1982 and the Saints and Buffalo Bills in 1983. Hurley is a native of Kenmore, N.Y.
