William Rychel, the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Savannah State University, has been named St. Thomas University’s (STU) first head football coach.

“I targeted Coach Rychel to start the program at St. Thomas University because he was one of the key drivers who helped me start a football program at Notre Dame College in Cleveland,” said STU President David A. Armstrong. “Rychel and I have a history of building a college football team that focuses on: mission, character building, academic success and competition. He is a man of quality character and is a fantastic recruiter.”

From 2009-16, Rychel was on staff at Notre Dame College, where he started as an offensive coordinator and assistant football coach, he was then promoted to head football coach.

When asked about his expectations, Rychel said “I believe that South Florida is the perfect place to start a football program because everyone in the country comes to South Florida to recruit, and we are fortunate enough to provide our student-athletes with a great education and an unbelievable athletic experience from right at home.

“I am extremely excited to work with President Armstrong again,” Rychel added. “He has a great vision for building athletics programs that contribute to the overall mission of the university. His servant leadership is contagious, as it provides an atmosphere on campus that benefits the student body.”

Rychel’s offensives have been dynamic at every stop along his way as a coach, as he led the sixth ranked offense in yards-per-game (457.5) as the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame College in 2014. Rychel has coached several All-Conference players throughout his coaching career, having players receive recognition as: quarterback, running-back, wide receiver, tight end, and offensive line.

Rychel, a Cleveland native, is a former All-American guard at Mount Union who played on three national championship teams. His first day as STU’s head football coach is December 1.