WACO, Texas – Maritime football Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Vincent DiGaetano was selected as a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) assistant coach of the year.
 
The AFCA selects one assistant coach from each collegiate level, Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA to be named as assistant coach of the year for each season.
 
The awards have been presented for each of the past 18 seasons with the inaugural awards given out following the 1997 season. The honor is awarded to the assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.
 
DiGaetano has been at the helm of Maritime's defense since the early stages of the program, and his defenses have consistently been towards the top of NCAA Division III. During the 2014 season, Maritime's defense was ranked 31st overall through the regular season of the 242 Division III programs.
 
In addition to overall team defense, Maritime was 54th in the nation in scoring defense, and 53rd in turnovers gained. In the passing game, the Privateer passing defense allowed the seventh fewest yards in all of Division III with 129.3 yards allowed per game.
 
Individually this season, DiGaetano has developed one of the strongest linebacking corps in all of Division III with the likes of seniors Nick Coffiey (Wilmington, Del./Delaware Military Academy) and Duke Alvora (Harrison, N.Y./Harrison), as well as junior Kameron Knight (Clayton, N.C./West Johnson). All three were nationally ranked in several individual categories.
 
In addition to the linebackers, the secondary was highlighted by senior Chris Klass (Nanuet, N.Y./Nanuet) and his six interceptions, as well as the four fumble recoveries by freshman Nick Conte (Franklin Square, N.Y./Carey) were both ranked in the top-20 amongst individual players. The defensive front saw senior Hugh O'Brien (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) break the sack and tackles for a loss in yardage, while junior Andrew Auriemma (Melville, N.Y./St. Anthony's) moved his way up the Maritime record books in tackles for a loss in yardage.
 
Not only does DiGaetano qualify with his on-field success at Maritime, he also continues his work as a USA Football Master Trainer. He is recognized as a subject matter expert in the area of tackling, and has presented this NFL sponsored program to many high school and youth football programs throughout the entire tri-state area.
 
Overall, DiGaetano was one of three selected as a finalist for the award to go along with Scott Kirchoff of Bethel (Minn.) and John Davis of Eastern Collegiate Football Conference foe Gallaudet as the representatives of the Division III level.