By Drew Casey
Updated: 12/17/15 2:47 p.m.
The Fordham Football program prides itself on many philosophies, including “Next Man Up.”
After now-former head coach Joe Moorhead was officially hired as Penn State’s new offensive coordinator on Saturday, Fordham’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics David Roach announced a replacement on Thursday.
Staying within the program, Fordham offensive coordinator Andrew Breiner will become the team’s head coach after serving on Moorhead’s Fordham staff for the past four years.
“We are thrilled that Andrew Breiner has agreed to lead the Fordham football program,” Roach said in the University’s official statement. “We believe that he is one of the bright young coaches who has done a great job guiding the record-setting offense over the past four years. He has been a big part of the program’s recent success and we are confident that Andrew will be able to maintain and build upon that success going forward.”
Breiner, a 2006 Lock Haven University graduate, served as the pass game coordinator during his first two years at Rose Hill and has been the offensive coordinator since his promotion in June 2014.
“I am extremely honored and excited to be selected as the next head Fordham football coach,” Breiner said in the release. “To serve as the head coach at Fordham, a program with a great tradition and outstanding recent success, is truly an honor. I want to thank Coach Moorhead for all he has done for me, especially for bringing me to Fordham four years ago, and Father McShane, Jeff Gray and Dave Roach for having the confidence in me. I am eager to get started and keep Fordham football at the forefront of the Patriot League and the NCAA FCS.”
While stationed high above the action in the coaches box for most games, Breiner, also the quarterbacks coach, has helped develop some of the best passers the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) has seen in recent memory.
Junior quarterback Kevin Anderson is currently third in passing efficiency in the FCS for 2015 with just three total playoff games remaining. Breiner coached All-American quarterback Mike Nebrich, who ranked first in pass completion percentage (.735) and total offense (376.4 yards/game) in 2013. Nebrich was also named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year in both 2013 and 2014.
Although a quarterback specialist, Breiner’s offensive unit has produced many other star players, including current sophomore running back Chase Edmonds and graduated tight end Dan Light, who is currently on the Denver Broncos practice squad.
Before coming to Fordham, the stylish Breiner served as a graduate assistant at the University of Connecticut with Moorhead for three years. While at UConn, the program won the 2010 Big East Championship and appeared in the 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Prior to his years at UConn, Breiner was an assistant coach at Allegheny College for two years, where he worked with the quarterbacks and wide receivers.
Breiner was a four-year wide receiver and special teams player at Lock Haven University and began coaching after sustaining a career-ending injury during his senior season. He graduated with a degree in health and physical education.
