CEDAR CITY, Utah—As the second week of fall football camp begins, Southern Utah Athletics is pleased to announce a contract extension for Head Football Coach DeLane Fitzgerald. Following two successful seasons at the helm of the Thunderbirds football program, Fitzgerald signed an extension that keeps him at Southern Utah through 2028.
Director of Athletics Doug Knuth Said
"Coach Fitzgerald has brought an incredible level of energy and excellence to our football program. His leadership, experience, and commitment to building a winning culture have positively impacted our student-athletes and the Thunderbird community. Under Coach Fitzgerald, the program continues to win in the classroom with a high team GPA, build great community relationships, and win on the field. We are thrilled to extend his contract and look forward to continued success under his guidance."
Fitzgerald has led SUU to an 11-11 overall record, an impressive 4-2 mark, and a second-place finish in United Athletic Conference play. Last season's six victories were the most for Southern Utah since 2017, showcasing Fitzgerald's immediate positive impact on the team. According to the recently released coaches poll, Fitzgerald and the Thunderbirds enter the 2024 campaign picked to finish third in the UAC.
Coach Fitzgerald Said
"I am happy to sign this extension and humbled to be the head football coach at Southern Utah. We work for an administration of good people, work in a community of people who care, and work with young men that we believe in on and off the field. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue leading this program and these young men. We're building something special here at SUU, and I'm excited for what the future holds for Thunderbird Football."
With 24 years of college football coaching experience, including 15 years as a head coach, Fitzgerald has brought a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to the Thunderbird Football program. He joined Southern Utah from Frostburg State University in Maryland and served as head football coach for eight seasons. Fitzgerald left Frostburg State as the winningest coach in program history, amassing 62 victories and leading the team to consistent winning seasons and several championships. His successful track record is a testament to his ability to lead the Thunderbirds to further victories.
Under his leadership, Frostburg State won New Jersey Athletic Conference championships in 2016 and 2018, made NCAA Division III playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018, and secured a Division III bowl game victory in 2016. Fitzgerald also guided the program's transition to NCAA Division II, culminating in a Mountain East Conference championship in 2021 with a stellar 10-1 record. His exceptional performance earned him three conference Coach of the Year honors.
Prior to Frostburg State, Fitzgerald revitalized the football program at Southern Virginia University, turning a 3-8 team into an 8-2 squad and achieving the No. 1 ranking in the USCAA Coaches Poll in 2013. His career includes stints as offensive coordinator at Bethel College and special teams coordinator at Tennessee-Martin, among other coaching roles.
Fitzgerald holds a master's degree in education from Bethel College, a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from James Madison University, and an associate degree in physical education from Potomac State College.
Southern Utah University is excited about the future of its football program under Coach Fitzgerald's continued leadership. With the successes of the past two seasons as a strong foundation, fans can eagerly anticipate the upcoming season.
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