Washington State University Head Football Coach Mike Leach announced Feb. 26, 2019 that Roc Bellantoni has been added to the Cougar football staff working with the Cougar linebackers.
Over his 26-year coaching career, Bellantoni has coached the defensive line and linebackers, served as defensive coordinator at three different stops, and reached the FCS playoffs six different times, to go with a bowl appearance in 2018 while with the University at Buffalo. He has mentored 16 players who played professionally, including three NFL Draft picks.
Bellantoni recently completed his second season at Buffalo, where he served as defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator in 2018. He spent the 2018 season as director of player personnel.
In 2018, Bellantoni coached two-time and 2018 First-Team All-Mid American Conference selection Chuck Harris, who led the team in sacks and was selected to play in the 2019 Tropical Bowl. The Bulls’ defense ranked second in the MAC, helping Buffalo to the 2018 Dollar General Bowl.
Bellantoni arrived at Buffalo from Florida Atlantic where he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator. He served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at FAU from 2014-16. At FAU, Bellantoni coached Trey Hendrickson, currently a defensive end for the New Orleans Saints. Hendrickson ended his storied career, three seasons of which came under Bellantoni, as the program’s all-time leader in sacks, tackles for loss, quarterback hurries and forced fumbles.
Prior to FAU, he coached the defensive line and special teams at Villanova. The 2013 Villanova team finished the season ranked No. 6 in the NCAA SRS rankings. He coached All-CAA defensive linemen Rakim Cox and Antoine Lewis and helped lead the Wildcats to the FCS playoffs in 2012.
A graduate of Iona, Bellantoni gained his most coaching experience at Eastern Illinois. He was with the Panthers from 2001-11, serving as defensive line coach, defensive coordinator and finally associate head coach. He served as an assistant from 2001-11 while working his way up the storied program's coaching ladder to associate head coach. He was the defensive coordinator from 2002-11 and the associate head coach from 2007-11. Bellantoni helped Eastern Illinois win five Ohio Valley Conference Championships (2009, 2006, 2005, 2002, and 2001) and make six NCAA playoff appearances.
Bellantoni also had coaching stints at Drake and Buena Vista University. He started his coaching career at Mamaroneck High School.
He and his wife, Jenny, have four sons, Gino, Marco, Ricky and Nico.
