Coach Rick Santos leaving UNH football to accept Ivy League job

Rick Santos, who guided the University of New Hampshire football team to three NCAA FCS Playoff appearances in four seasons as head coach at his alma mater, has been named the new head football coach at the University of Pennsylvania.

Santos will be formally introduced as coach the Ivy League school Dec. 16 in a press conference.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the University of New Hampshire, a place that has truly been home to me in every sense of the word,” said Santos in a prepared statement. “From my time as a student-athlete, to serving as an assistant coach, and ultimately having the honor of leading the program as head coach, UNH has shaped me both professionally and personally. I will forever be grateful to the Wildcat family—our players, staff, alumni, and supporters—for the unwavering support, trust, and belief they showed in me and my family. The relationships built and the memories created in Durham will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Santos was a successful coach at UNH, where he was a star player

Over five seasons as head coach, Santos led the Wildcats to a 37–24 overall record and a 28–12 mark in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), earning NCAA FCS Playoff berths in 2022, 2024, and 2025. In his first season at the helm, he guided UNH to a share of the CAA title, a No. 15 national ranking, and a berth in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.

Before he became a coach, Santos was a star quarterback at UNH, winning the 2006 Walter Payton Award as the nation’s top offensive player in FCS (I-AA).

“I’m thankful for Rick’s leadership and service to UNH, and our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” UNH athletics director Allison Rich said in a prepared statement. “Rick’s mentorship and commitment have been impactful in shaping UNH football as a nationally prominent program and elevating the student-athlete experience. As one of the best players to wear a UNH jersey, he is also a Wildcat for life. I wish him and his family the best.”

Penn athletics director Alanna Wren said the university is “thrilled to welcome a high-energy, dynamic leader” like Santos as head coach.

“He is a proven winner, taking New Hampshire to multiple NCAA FCS playoff appearances,” Wren said. “I am confident Rick will have Penn competing for Ivy League championships and postseason appearances in the near future.”

In 2025, New Hampshire won its final five regular-season games, including a victory over No. 6 Monmouth, to secure an at-large playoff bid. It marked the program’s third season with eight or more wins in the past four years.

“I am incredibly excited and humbled by the opportunity to lead the football program at the University of Pennsylvania,” Santos said. “Penn represents excellence at the highest level — academically, athletically, and institutionally — and I am grateful for the trust placed in me to steward such a proud and prestigious program. The chance to work with outstanding student-athletes at a world-class institution, while competing for championships and developing leaders for life, is truly special. I cannot wait to begin this next chapter and fully embrace the Penn football community.”

Santos has spent the majority of his collegiate coaching career at New Hampshire. He served as wide receivers coach and punt return coordinator from 2013–15, associate head coach and quarterbacks coach from 2018–19 and 2020–21, and interim head coach in 2019.

UNH names Scott James interim coach, announces search

UNH associate head coach and defensive coordinator Scott James has been named interim head coach, and UNH will launch a national search for the next program leader.

“I am confident in (James’) leadership as he guides our program through this transition,” Rich said. “UNH football has an outstanding tradition of excellence that will continue long into the future.”

James is in his second stint at UNH, completing his seventh season with the Wildcats. He helped UNH to five NCAA playoff trips from 2013–17 as the safeties coach before returning to the program in 2024 after six seasons as the defensive coordinator at Holy Cross.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Staff Reports