Football

- Title:
- Outside Linebackers/Defensive Recruiting Coordinator
- Email:
- football@kent.edu
- Phone:
- 330-672-3350
Joe Coniglio returned to Kent State as its outside linebackers coach and defensive recruiting coordinator in January of 2019. A former graduate assistant with the Golden Flashes, Coniglio spent the previous five seasons at Rhode Island, where he served as defensive line coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
Coniglio helped the Golden Flashes to the first bowl win in school history with a 51-41 victory in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl.
Coniglio spent three seasons at Kent State from 2009-2011, while earning a master's degree. His roles, included special assistant to the head coach, defensive graduate assistant, video coordinator and defensive volunteer. Working closely with the Flashes’ defensive line, Coniglio helped develop future NFL players Roosevelt Nix, Ishmaa’liy Kitchen and Monte Simmons. During that period, Kent State’s defense ranked in the top tier of numerous NCAA categories, including 10th in the nation in total defense in 2010. In 2011, the Flashes ranked 21st in total defense, while the 2009 squad ranked fourth in tackles for loss and 17th in sacks.
Rhode Island was also among national (FCS) leaders in numerous defensive categories during Coniglio’s time with the Rams. In 2017, Rhode Island was the only defensive line in the nation to have five players with five or more sacks and 10 or more tackles for loss. The Rams broke the program’s sack record that season and produced their third different all-conference player during Coniglio’s time. In 2018, URI ranked 31st in the FCS in total defense.
On special teams, the 2018 Rams ranked in the Top 20 in punt return defense, kick return average and punt return average. Coniglio also brought recruiting success to URI in 2016, when the Rams ranked first in the Colonial Athletic Association according to 247 Sports.
Following his time at Kent State, Coniglio spent two seasons (2012-13) coaching the defensive line at Northern Michigan. He helped defensive tackle Zach Anderson earn All-GLIAC honors.
A two-time All-Mid-American Conference defensive end at Miami, Coniglio was a three-year starter and three-year winner of the RedHawks’ Vic Waltz Defensive Lineman of the Year award. Coniglio helped Miami to three MAC East titles and ranks fifth among the program's sack leaders. He was also a roommate of RedHawk teammate Sean McVay, who recently led the Los Angeles Rams to an appearance in Super Bowl LIII.
“After an extensive search with a lot of interest in this position, Joe was by far the best candidate we interviewed.” Head Coach Sean Lewis said upon Coniglio's hiring. “He had all of the characteristics we were looking for as an on-the-field coach and a developer of young men. And he has the ability to recruit and acquire great talent. We’re very excited to have him as a part of our family and with what we are building.”
Joe and his wife Jessa, a physical therapist, have a daughter Anna and a son Joseph.