NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football program is undergoing several coaching staff adjustments as it prepares for the 2026 season, head coach Ryan Carty announced on Tuesday, .
The most significant changes involve elevated roles and redefined responsibilities for several key members of the coaching staff. Manny Rojas, a veteran of eight seasons with the Blue Hens and four under Carty, has been promoted to Assistant Head Coach, Defense, and will directly oversee the safeties. Throughout his career, Rojas has mentored 23 All-Americans and 35 All-Conference players, demonstrating a consistent track record of player development.
Rocco DiMeco will now serve as Co-Defensive Coordinator in addition to his existing duties as Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers coach. DiMeco recently completed his third season at Delaware and his second leading the special teams unit. Under his guidance, the Blue Hens achieved a remarkable feat in the 2025 season, successfully executing three onside kicks – a rarity in modern college football and the only team to achieve a 100% success rate. He also played a role in the development of Nate Reed, who earned Academic All-America honors, an All-CUSA selection, and an invitation to the NFL Specialist Showcase at the NFL Combine, as well as Mysonne Pollard, who received All-CUSA recognition.
Xavier Dye, who joined the program in January 2025 after two seasons at Coastal Carolina, will take on the additional responsibility of Recruiting Coordinator while continuing to coach the running backs. This dual role underscores the importance of recruiting in maintaining the program’s momentum.
Tyler Ferguson’s role is also evolving. After initially joining the Fightin’ Blue Hens as an offensive analyst before the spring 2021 season and being elevated to Senior Offensive Analyst prior to 2024, he will now coach the tight ends starting in the spring of 2026. Ferguson has a proven track record of developing offensive linemen, having coached nine Hens to All-Conference accolades during his tenure.
Garrett Smith, who has spent the last four seasons with Delaware, will transition from tight ends coach and assistant special teams coordinator to coach the quarterbacks. Smith has been instrumental in the development of five All-Conference selections during his time in Newark.
Theo Brown, who joined the Blue & Gold prior to the 2025 season as a special teams analyst, will now be a Senior Special Teams Analyst. Brown’s contributions were vital to the success of the special teams unit, particularly the aforementioned onside kick execution. He also assisted in the development of Nate Reed and Mysonne Pollard, contributing to their individual accolades.
Noah Plack, who joined the staff before the 2025 season and previously worked with the safeties, will continue to support Rojas in that capacity as a Senior Defensive Analyst. Plack, a University of Delaware graduate and three-time All-Conference selection, played a role in the standout season of KT Seay, who earned an All-CUSA selection and a Hero Sports Group of 5 All-America nod.
These staffing changes come after a successful 2025 season for the Blue Hens, where they finished with a 7-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Conference USA (CUSA). Delaware participated in the 68 Ventures Bowl, defeating Louisiana 20-13, despite initially being declared ineligible for postseason play due to NCAA transition rules from the FCS level. The team’s performance marked its first year competing in CUSA.
Season tickets for the 2026 Delaware Football season are currently available for purchase at bluehens.com/fbtickets.
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