Jimmy Terwilliger Named ESU Football Head Coach
Courtesy of ESU Sports Info
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. --- Jimmy Terwilliger was announced Monday as the head coach of East Stroudsburg University's football program.
Terwilliger, a 2007 ESU graduate and a member of the University's Athletics Hall of Fame, is the ninth head coach in the 92-year history of the program. He led the Warriors in an interim capacity for the final two games of the 2018 regular season after beginning the year with a promotion to associate head coach last February.
"I am extremely pleased that Coach Terwilliger has accepted our offer to become our permanent head football coach," said
Dr. Gary Gray, ESU Director of Athletics. "We have complete confidence in Jimmy's ability to recruit, coach and lead the program in a positive direction. We're very excited to start this new chapter in the storied history of Warrior football."
Terwilliger graduated from ESU as one of the top athletes in school history. He earned the Harlon Hill Award as a junior in 2005, an honor which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in Division II football, after leading the Warriors to a Northeast Region title and a spot in the national semifinals.
A four-year starter at quarterback, Terwilliger held 18 Division II records at the time of his graduation, including career touchdown passes (148), career passing yards (14,350) and total offense (16,064 yards). His career TD pass total remains tied for third historically among all NCAA divisions. During his 2005 campaign, he set DII single-season records in six categories while throwing for 4,571 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Terwilliger returned to his alma mater as a defensive backs coach in 2015 after previously serving as an assistant at Parkland High School and head coach at Pleasant Valley High School. He helped Parkland to a District 11 championship in 2014, and led Pleasant Valley to three District playoff appearances during a four-year span from 2010-13.
"I am both humbled and honored by the opportunity to be the head football coach at East Stroudsburg University," Terwilliger said. "This is a dream job for me. East Stroudsburg is where I call home, and it is truly Where Warriors Belong. This is a new era of Warrior football, and I am excited to attack head on the challenges that we will face."
Terwilliger takes over for Hall of Fame head coach
Denny Douds, who stepped aside after 45 seasons following ESU's 2018 home finale against Ohio Dominican on Oct. 27. Douds was the NCAA active leader in career wins (264) and games coached (471) at the time of his departure. He led the Warriors to nine PSAC championships and four DII postseason appearances; two of those four national appearances (2004, 2005) occurred with Terwilliger at quarterback.
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Jimmy Terwilliger is a product of ESU's long and proud football tradition, and he has already played a significant role in our football history," said ESU President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D. "We look forward to his continued pursuit of excellence in coaching our student-athletes.
"From winning the regional title and bringing home the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2005, two of our institution's proudest moments in athletics, to his career coaching collegiate and high school athletes over the last decade, he has shown his leadership qualities and passion for football. He will build on the principles of honor and respect that he learned under Coach Douds, and will continue to be an asset for the department of athletics and the entire university."
Terwilliger was inducted into ESU's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. He was a three-time PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year (2003-04, 2006), a three-time All-America selection and a four-time first team All-PSAC East honoree. Terwilliger is the only QB in PSAC East history named to the first team in each of his four seasons. He is the second Harlon Hill recipient to be named head coach at his alma mater, joining Valdosta State's Chris Hatcher, the 1994 honoree who coached VSU from 2000 through 2006.
Prior to taking over at Pleasant Valley, Terwilliger served as an assistant under his high school coach, Ed Christian, at East Stroudsburg South in 2007 and 2008. The Cavaliers advanced to the District playoffs in each of those two seasons.
Terwilliger graduated from ESU with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education. He was named to the PSAC Top 10 in 2005 and 2006 and was a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection in 2004.