Stonehill Turns To A Pro

EASTON, Mass. - When the Stonehill College athletic director and the rest of the search committee went looking for a head football coach in January, one applicant who stood out was Robert Talley. It was his résumé that earned him the job. The fact that he was the first African-American hired for the position was a coincidence.

"I was a little surprised that someone with his pedigree would be interested in coming and coaching a Division 2 school," said Sullivan. "It just happened. We were looking to find the best football coach for our program and it was Rob Talley, and he happens to be an African-American. We didn't start looking for an African-American who happened to be a football coach."

For the last two seasons, it appeared Talley had permanently left college behind for the pros. He served as special assistant to San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan in 2005-06, and last season as an assistant offensive line coach.

Prior to that, he spent eight years at Dartmouth College, the last five as defensive coordinator after being promoted from defensive secondary coach. It was during his time in Hanover, N.H., that he participated in the NFL's Minority Coaching Fellowship Program, interning for five teams, including a stint with the Patriots. Talley, a former standout defensive back at Boston University, where he was a two-time All-American, started his coaching career at UMass in 1991. In 1996, he moved on to Colby College, where he was linebackers coach, before accepting the position at Dartmouth.

As much as he enjoyed his time in the NFL, Talley longed to return to the college ranks. It was just a matter of finding the right fit. The New York City native said Stonehill is the right place. His aim is to turn around a team coming off a 1-9 season. Stonehill opens its season tonight at Assumption.

"I really feel I'm a college coach," said Talley, 38. "You don't get as much interaction with the players [in the NFL]. It's more X's and O's and schemes. Obviously, at this level there are a lot more headaches. In the pros, you never had to worry about school. There are a lot more dynamics involved in college. At the pro level, you can truly hold them accountable because it's their job. At the college level, it's completely different. You want kids who think it's very important, but they have so many other things to worry about."

Ask him about the distinction of being the first African-American head football coach at Stonehill and Talley smiles. It's the smile of someone who knew the question was coming, and he said he welcomes it.

"I don't think I can afford to get tired of it," he said. "Just because you look at the numbers, and the numbers are so staggering and not in our favor. If I'm in the minority, if I don't speak out, it will never be equal. When you look at the numbers, to me it's astounding, the lack of black coaches in head coaching positions. Even in general, even assistant coaches. There are enough of them who want to get into the profession.

"I also realize one reason I probably got my first full-time job is because I was an African-American. It's a double-edged sword. The biggest thing is to me, if you're in this position, you have to take advantage of it. It's one of these deals where don't blow it from a character standpoint. Don't notice me for something I did wrong as opposed to noticing me for something I did right."

He said his work on NFL staffs helped prepare him to be a head coach. Of all the teams he worked for, Talley said the Patriots had the biggest impact.

"They were coming off their first Super Bowl and Romeo Crennel was the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach," said Talley. "Romeo let me do so much because he was so busy coordinating the whole defense. [Bill] Belichick runs such a good program. He really believes in his veterans and he lets his coaches coach. That's one area where I think people are misled about him, that he's a controlling [coach], that he's controlling the defense and controlling the offense. But he hires good people, people he trusts, and lets them coach. His style was very interesting. He really was very down to earth."

As much as he wants to win, Talley defines success by more than victories.

"To me, it's the overall experience for the student-athletes," said Talley, whose wife, Sarah, is a nurse, as well as Stonehill's assistant volleyball coach. "I want to see them grow, I want to see that when they leave here they're ready for the outside world and they're ready to do it in a responsible manner. To me, as a coach, if you're going out there and winning every game but your kids aren't graduating, I don't think you're succeeding. You have to care about these kids. In order for these kids to play hard for you, they should know you care about them, and the academic piece is such a big part of it."

Though they haven't yet played a game, Sullivan said the early reviews are favorable and that Talley is the right man to lead the Skyhawks.

"He really won everyone over very quickly," said Sullivan. "He's a charming gentleman, he's bright, and he's charismatic. He's terrific."