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"Our defensive players and coaches are very excited to play in the CAA this fall. It is a massive undertaking but this is exactly what we have been working toward since we came to Old Dominion. We have shown strong improvement over the past two seasons as a defensive unit. To me, to play great defense in the best FCS conference in the country is the culmination of building a program from the ground up. We look forward to all of the challenges and accomplishments that our 2011 schedule will offer."
- Coach Rondeau
Andy Rondeau begins his fifth year with the Monarchs serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Having helped Coach Bobby Wilder develop the ODU football program from the ground up, Rondeau has helped the Monarchs to an 17-5 mark in its first two seasons as the winningest FCS start-up program in the books. Now, Rondeau and the defense gear up for the first season of Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play in what many consider the toughest FCS conference in the nation.
In 2010, Rondeau's defenders made huge strides improving in 10 of 14 defensive cateogories from the inaugural season and ranking among the nation's top 10 in fumbles recovered and fourth down efficiency. The defense ranked 11th nationally in tackles for loss, making one of the largest leaps among FCS schools after having been only ranked 81st in the country in 2009. As a unit, the ODU defense was also ranked 20th in the country in sacks taking down opponent quarterbacks nearly three times per contest. Individually, defensive lineman Ronnie Cameron earned Second Team All-State honors having ranked eighth among all FCS defenders in the category.
Roundeau joined the coaching staff from Maine where he coached the defensive backs and served as the special team's coordinator. He had two players named to the all-conference team, one of which was drafted in the sixth round. The Black Bears led the Atlantic 10 in total defense, scoring defense and run defense. They were #1 nationally in run defense.
Prior to Maine, Rondeau served as the assistant defensive coordinator at Division 1-A Buffalo in the Mid American Conference. He worked with the Buffalo safeties in 2004 and 2005, In 2005 they ranked ninth nationally in pass defense and 49th in total defense. The Bulls led the MAC in pass defense by giving up an average of just 173.6 yards through the air. They ranked fourth in total defense, giving up just 353.0 yards per contest.
In 2003, Rondeau was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Tennessee-Martin. He was also the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at North Dakota State from 1997-2002 where they made the playoff field of 16 on two occasions in his tenure. In 2000, North Dakota State played in the national semi-finals. He served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh from 1994-96 under legendary coach Johnny Majors, where he assisted with the defensive backs. Rondeau served as an assistant at Northeastern from 1991-1993.
A graduate of Syracuse, Rondeau earned his B.A. in English in 1991. He also worked as a student manager coach under Dick McPherson, who also spent time as the head coach of the New England Patriots and was recently inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame. Rondeau and his wife Tiffany, have a son, Ryan (7), and daughters Alison (6), and Kiley (5).
The Rondeau File:
Birthdate: February 14th, 1969
Hometown: Holliston, Massachusetts
High School: Holliston High School
College: Syracuse `91
Family: Wife - Tiffany; Son - Ryan (7); Daughters - Alison (6), Kiley (5)
Recruiting Areas:
Virginia - 757 (Defensive Prospects), California - Northern Junior Colleges, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin
Coaching History
2007 - present - Old Dominion - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2006 - Maine - Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coordinator
2004 -05 - Buffalo - Asst. Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
2003 - Tennessee Martin - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
1997-2002 - North Dakota State - Defensive Backs
1994-1996 - Pittsburgh - Graduate Assistant/Defensive Backs
1991-1993 - Northeastern University - Assistant Defensive Backs
1990 - Syracuse - Student Manager