For Blue Hens coach Danny Rocco, it's business as usual, until he spies Spiders Saturday
John O'Connor|13 hours ago
Danny Rocco will watch video, identify his opponent's tendencies, exchange ideas with staff members, and get his Delaware team up to speed with the game plan.
Rocco, a coach known for his organization and routine, said he won't have much time to consider the frame that swallows the picture, Richmond's Saturday visit to Delaware.
Rocco, the only coach to take Richmond to the FCS playoffs three straight years, was drawn to Delaware in December after five seasons with the Spiders in a highly unusual intraleague transfer.
Monday, Rocco concentrated on maintaining his typical work schedule in an atypical game week.
"I talk all the time about how the process outweighs the event," he said. "The event will be here soon enough."
When the event arrives, things change a bit.
Rocco will walk onto Delaware Stadium's artificial surface Saturday for team warm-ups and encounter opposing players he recruited, players he led to the 2015 FCS semifinals and the 2016 FCS quarterfinals. UR went 43-22 in Rocco's five years.
"I will have some emotions there," said Rocco. "I certainly have great appreciation for my time at Richmond, and a greater appreciation for the relationships that I had built when I was the head football coach at the University of Richmond with those student-athletes.
"We had a lot of success together and I'll forever be grateful for their commitment. ... Game day will be different, but even in that moment, I'll be focusing on the process, doing my job, focusing in on the decisions that have to be made."
It's not a new deal for Rocco. He led Liberty's program 2006-11, then faced the Flames as Spiders coach in 2013 and 2014. Richmond won both games.
There is a twist this time around.
Before leaving UR, Rocco questioned Richmond's "vision" for its football program. He made that odd move within the CAA – from a relatively small private university to a state school - for a setup that offered, in Rocco's estimation, an enhanced shot at long-term success.
"At this stage of my career, I really wanted to be able to feel real good about the future, not just the here and now. I think that might have been what tipped the scale for me as you look back on that timeline," Rocco, 57, said at CAA media day in July.
The backdrop could agitate the No. 11 Spiders (4-2, 2-1 CAA) as they head to Delaware (4-2, 2-1 CAA), though Richmond defensive lineman Colby Ritten says that is not the case.
"We're not seeing it as playing Coach Rocco. We're just seeing it as Delaware," said Ritten. "We don't see Delaware any different. It's just another game that we're going to play, like any other team."
Spiders coach Russ Huesman hasn't sensed any increased motivation among his players. If there is any of that, he hopes it's manifested through intensified preparation.
"The one thing I can say is they loved Danny Rocco," Huesman said, speaking of the Spiders. "So I don't think there's any animosity towards him."
Rocco's Delaware staff includes six assistants who were with him at Richmond, which would appear to present the Blue Hens with an advantage. Delaware's coaches know what UR's players do well, and not as well.
Conversely, Huesman retained a pair of assistants from Rocco's UR staff, which would appear to bring the Spiders an advantage. Those aides, Sparky Woods and Dave Legg, have an understanding of Delaware's system foundations and the head coach's proclivities.
"They can roll the film and call the plays," Rocco said. "I can't roll the film and call the plays, but I can roll the film and call the players."
