Domenick Razzano returns for his 12th season as a member of the Slippery Rock University football team’s coaching staff, and his ninth year as The Rock’s defensive coordinator in 2024.
CAREER AT A GLANCE
• In his eight seasons as defensive coordinator at SRU, 44 of his players have earned All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division accolades including past All-Americans Todd Hill (2024), Munchie Johnson (2024), Josh Stokes (2023, 2024), Eddie Faulkner IV (2023), D.J. Adediwura (2022), Jeff Marx (2022) Chad Kuhn (2019, 2021), Brad Zaffram (2018, 2019), Marcus Martin (2014-17), Teven Williams (2015) and Joe Phillips (2015).
• With Razzano on staff, Slippery Rock has compiled an overall record of 103-26 with two Super Region One titles, three PSAC championships and eight appearances in the NCAA playoffs.
• A season ago, The Rock’s defense ranked fourth in the nation in fumble recoveries, 22nd in turnovers gained, 30th in red zone defense, 31st in passing yards allowed and 35th in points allowed per game as SRU went 12-2 and advanced to the national semifinals.
• In 2023, SRU's defense ranked 16th in the nation in passing defense (158..9 ypg), eighth in passes intercepted (18) and 12th in turnovers gained (27).
• In 2022, Slippery Rock’s defense ranked ninth in the nation in interceptions (17), 13th in points allowed per game (16.2), 21st in rushing yards allowed (91.6) and 22nd in yards per game allowed (286.2).
• Prior to being the named defensive coordinator entering the 2016 season, Razzano served as the linebackers coach in 2014 and was the co-defensive coordinator in 2015, focusing on the secondary. He also served as the special teams coordinator in 2015.
COACHING TIMELINE
2017-Present: Slippery Rock (defensive coordinator)
2014-16: Slippery Rock (linebackers)
2011: Findlay (defensive backs/special teams coordinator)
2010: Saint Vincent (defensive backs/special teams/assistant strength and conditioning coach)
CAREER PATH
• In 2019, Slippery Rock’s defense ranked eighth in the nation in turnovers, ninth in fumbles recovered, 13th in interceptions, 26th in tackles for loss, 32nd in rushing defense and 38th in sacks as SRU finished the season with a 13-1 record that included Super Region I, PSAC and PSAC West championships, an appearance in the national semifinals and a ranking of sixth in the final American Football Coaches Association Division II Top 25 poll.
• In 2018, the Razzano-led Rock defense played a huge role in SRU going 11-3 and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament as The Rock led the PSAC, and ranked fifth nationally, in interceptions with 19 all the while finishing second in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (104.6), third in sacks (35), fourth in points allowed per game (21.2) and fifth in third down conversion percentage defense (.349).
• The Rock’s defense underwent a youth movement in 2017 as underclassmen made a total of 68 starts. Even with the influx of inexperienced players into key positions, Slippery Rock’s defense still ranked 21st in the nation in tackles for loss per game (8.0) and fifth in the PSAC in total sacks (27).
• Razzano helped coach Martin to one of the most historic seasons by a defensive lineman in Division II history in 2017 as the senior end was named the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year for a third consecutive season, the Conference Commissioner's Association Defensive Player of the Year as well as the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year in addition to being the first Division II player to ever be named one of the five finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award as the best defensive end in all of college football.
• In 2016, Razzano’s defense ranked sixth in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (82.5), ninth in interceptions (21) and 27th in sacks (32). Across the 16-team PSAC, Slippery Rock led the league in rush yards allowed per game while also ranking third in interceptions, fourth in total yards allowed per game (360.3), fifth in sacks, fifth in first downs allowed per game (19.2) and seventh in points allowed per game despite being on the field for an average of 30.46 minutes per game.
• Razzano coached the linebackers on the 2014 defense that ranked eighth in the nation against the run, allowing opponents just 2.8 yards per carry. The Rock defense also ranked 22nd in the nation on third down and racked up a total of 31 sacks.
• The 2015 defense improved on those numbers by ranking second in the country against the run, setting a program record by allowing just 2.2 yards per carry and 71.7 yards per game. The Rock defense also led the country in takeaways with 47, including 23 fumble recoveries and 24 interceptions. SRU led the PSAC with 48 sacks and posted 132 tackles for loss.
• Prior to joining the Slippery Rock coaching staff, Razzano had coaching stints at Saint Vincent College and the University of Findlay.
PLAYING CAREER
• Razzano is a 2009 graduate of Slippery Rock. He played collegiately for The Rock from 2005-08, appearing in 26 games and finishing his career with 54 tackles, three tackles for a loss and one forced fumble.
PERSONAL
• Razzano and his wife, Erica, reside in Pittsburgh with their three sons Domenick Jr., Alessio and Santino.
