By Jack McLoone

Fordham Football has received an early Christmas gift in the form of a new head coach, former Yale offensive coordinator Joe Conlin, announced the Athletics Department on Friday morning. This concludes a just over two-week search for a head coach following Andrew Breiner’s departure for the Mississippi State quarterback coach’s job on Dec. 5. The hiring comes just one day following the Rams’ announcement of their 2018 recruiting class.

“Karen [Conlin’s wife] and I are honored to be a part of the Ram family and I’m excited to lead a Patriot League program that has been as successful as Fordham is recent years,” said Conlin, “From step one of this process to its culmination, I have been nothing but impressed by the University and all who support Ram Football. We’re eager to get started, get to know the men on the team and hit the recruiting trail.”

According to Doug Samuels at Footballscoop.com, his contract will be around $300,000 annually. There will be a press conference and meet-and-greet with Conlin some time in January.

Conlin is a choice that fits the mold of Fordham Football’s recent M.O.: high-powered offense. Last season, Yale was 12th in the FCS in total offense with 450.7 yards per game, along with being top-20 in passing efficiency, red zone offense, rushing offense and scoring offense. The team went 9-1.

Last season, Fordham was 55th in total offense and passing efficiency, 67th in red zone offense, 79th in rushing offense and 73rd in scoring offense.

After heading to Yale to be offensive line coach in 2012, Conlin received the reins of the offense in 2014 and the Bulldogs led the FCS in total offense. When the Rams took on Yale in 2016, Conlin’s Bulldogs lost 44-37 but put up 427 yards on just 57 plays.

Conlin’s other coaching history includes seven years at FCS powerhouse New Hampshire from 2004-2010, serving as the defensive backs, defensive line and then offensive line coach. UNH made the playoffs each of those seven years.

In 2011, he was the offensive line coach at Harvard before jumping to The Game opponent Yale.

“After an extensive search, we are excited to welcome Joe Conlin to Fordham,” said director of athletics Dave Roach in a statement. “We believe he is one of the top young coaches in the country who truly cares about the welfare of the student-athlete which makes him a perfect fit for Fordham. We look forward to Joe translating the great success he had at Yale where he led the Bulldogs to the 2017 Ivy League title, to Rose Hill. It’s an exciting day for Fordham and I look forward to working with Coach Conlin as he takes over the helm of our program.”

“In Joe Conlin we will have a coach who knows how to win, how to hold his student athletes to the highest standards on and off the field, and who understands the importance of academic excellence in athletics,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. “I am deeply pleased that the team will be in good hands.”

The Rams were rumored to be in on current Maryland special teams coordinator Pete Lembo as early as yesterday but, according to Footballscoop.com, shifted to Conlin yesterday. Conlin was also reportedly being considered for the Holy Cross head coaching job. Also reportedly considered was Central Connecticut head coach Pete Rossomando.

“I’m so proud of Joe and what’s he’s accomplished to this point, not only at Yale but prior to his time here. I consider him one of my closest friends and he was the first person I called when I got the head coaching job at Yale,” said Yale head coach Tony Reno. “Joe has been instrumental is building the program here and was a big reason we won the Ivy League title this year. I’m excited for Joe and his wife Karen and their kids. Fordham made the best decision possible and they are getting an exceptional coach and a great person.”

Conlin is distantly related to Fordham basketball Hall of Fame member Ed Conlin.

FCS football is currently in a recruiting dead period until Jan. 11, when Conlin can hit the road for the first time as Fordham’s head coach.