Special teams coach hired

Dave Ungerer has been named football special teams coordinator at Oregon State University , head coach Mike Riley announced Friday. Ungerer arrives in Corvallis after four seasons as the special teams/tight ends coach at the University of Alabama .

“I’m very excited to have Coach Ungerer join our staff,” Riley said. “I went through an extensive search, interviewed many candidates and checked numerous references; he became the obvious choice. Coach Ungerer is a high-character guy who will fit in very nicely with the current coaching staff.”

The 50-year-old Ungerer is no stranger to the Pac-10 Conference, serving as the special teams and tight ends coach at the University of California in 2002. He also has coached at Lehigh University (2000-01, RB/ST), the University of Maryland (1992-98, RB/ST), the College of the Holy Cross (1988-91, RB/ST), Davidson College (1986-87, ST) and Northeastern University (1985, ST). He began his coaching career in 1983 with a two-year graduate assistantship at Rutgers University .

“While at Alabama I heard a lot about Coach Riley and the respect that people there have for him, and that was one of the reasons that attracted me to this job,” Ungerer said. “I also have known Coach Hull for many years and he gave me great insight to the Oregon State program. It was very easy for me to be interested in this position.”

Oregon State is one of the few programs in college football where the special teams coordinator is not responsible for another position.

“Coach Riley has organized his staff with more of a pro mentality from an organizational standpoint,” Ungerer explained. “I’ve always coached special teams, but also had the responsibilities of coaching another position, so I’m looking forward to the change. I’m going to have more time to work with the specialists than I have had before.”

Ungerer has coached in the 2007 Independence Bowl, 2006 Cotton Bowl and the 2004 Music City Bowl. He also has participated in two Division I-AA playoff seasons.

He is a 1980 graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, the same alma mater as current offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh, with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health. He lettered four years as a running back.

Ungerer and his wife Sylvia have three sons.