Kirk Ciarrocca (born August 12, 1965) is an American college football coach. He is the offensive coordinator at Rutgers University. He has previously served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota and Penn State University.
Early life Ciarrocca, a native of York County, graduated from Red Land High School in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania.Juliano, Joe."Temple grad Kirk Ciarrocca named offensive coordinator at Penn State", The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 26, 2019, retrieved December 27, 2019.Flounders, Bob."Penn State's new offensive coordinator: A closer look at Kirk Ciarrocca's background", pennlive.com, December 26, 2019, retrieved December 27, 2019. After high school he attended Juniata College, where he played defensive back for the Eagles football team before a knee injury ended his career. He continued his education at Temple University, where he earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in education.Bodani, Frank."Penn State hires new offensive coordinator" , York Daily Record, December 26, 2019, retrieved December 27, 2019.
Coaching career Ciarrocca began his coaching career in 1990 as an offensive graduate assistant at his alma mater Temple. He spent the 1992 and 1993 seasons as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Western Connecticut State and Delaware Valley respectively. He returned to Western Connecticut State as the offensive coordinator for the 1994 and 1995 seasons before spending six seasons in the Ivy League.
From 1996 to 1999 Ciarrocca served as the wide receiver coach and junior varsity head coach for the Princeton Tigers. The next two seasons Ciarrocca served as the wide receivers coach at the University of Pennsylvania. pg. 195
Delaware Ciarrocca spent six seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens and head coach K. C. Keeler from 2002 to 2007. During his time at Delaware, the Blue Hens posted a record of 52–26, winning the 2003 Division I-AA National Championship. Ciarrocca mentored Joe Flacco who was a first round selection in the 2008 NFL draft. Flacco led the Blue Hens to an 11–4 record and the FCS title game.
Rutgers In 2008, Ciarrocca was hired by the Rutgers University and head coach Greg Schiano as the Scarlet Knights wide receivers coach. During his time as wide receivers coach, Ciarrocca tutored Kenny Britt who was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft and Tiquan Underwood who was selected in the seventh round of that same draft.Kaye, Mike."NFL rumors: Former Rutgers WR Kenny Britt to make comeback in NFC East?", NJ.com, April 1, 2019, retrieved December 30, 2019."NJ Football: Former Notre Dame High star Tiquan Underwood making mark in NFL", NJ.com, September 25, 2010, retrieved December 30, 2019. Following the 2008 season, Ciarrocca was promoted to quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator for the Scarlet Knights, a title he would share with offensive line coach Kyle Flood. This is a title that Ciarrocca would hold for two season before being fired. In 2010, the Scarlet Knights' offense ranked 114th out of 120 teams, and finished with a 4–8 record.
Richmond and Delaware Ciarrocca spent the 2011 season coaching quarterbacks for the Richmond Spiders and interim head coach Wayne Lineburg before rejoined the Delaware staff and head coach K.C. Keeler as the teams running backs coach in 2012.
Western Michigan In 2013, Ciarrocca joined the staff of the Western Michigan Broncos and head coach P. J. Fleck as the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Fleck and Ciarrocca were on the same staff at Rutgers during the 2010 season. In 2015, Ciarrocca's offense featured a duo of receivers in Daniel Braverman and Corey Davis who each finished the season with more than 1,300 receiving yards.
Minnesota In 2017, it was announced that Ciarrocca would be following head coach P.J. Fleck to Minnesota to be the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Penn State On December 26, 2019, it was announced that Ciarrocca was hired by the Penn State Nittany Lions and head coach James Franklin as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, a position left vacant by Ricky Rahne.Giger, Cory.oc/ "Pennsylvania native Ciarrocca hired as PSU OC", Williamsport Sun-Gazette, December 26, 2019, retrieved December 27, 2019. After one season, Ciarrocca was fired and replaced by Mike Yurcich.
Minnesota On December 6, 2021, it was announced that Ciarrocca would return to Minnesota to be the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Rutgers (second stint) On January 7, 2023, Ciarrocca officially returned to Rutgers to be the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
References
External links Delaware profile Rutgers profile Western Michigan profile Minnesota profile Penn State profile