Delaware hires former Blue Hen Ryan Carty to head football team
NEWARK, Del. (BVM) — It has been a long time since Ryan Carty was at Delaware as an ally. The last time the former Blue Hens quarterback was on campus was actually as an offensive coach for New Hampshire back in 2015, a moment the coach now wishes to forget as his team lost handily, 31-14. However, Carty was welcomed back with open arms Monday as he was named the 25th head coach in Blue Hens program history, bringing his college coaching career full circle as he returned to Newark.
鈥淎s sincerely as I can say it I am so excited, humbled, thankful to be blessed with the opportunity to come back home,鈥� Carty said during his . 鈥淭his Blue Hens family matters to me.鈥�
What a great day to be a Blue Hen!
Full press conference鉃★笍 |
— Delaware Football (@Delaware_FB)
A native of Branchburg, N.J., Carty originally came to Newark as a player and would help Delaware win the 2003 National Championship. Although he would play sparingly on the field during his Blue Hens career, Carty鈥檚 leadership was never unquestioned as during his senior year in 2006, he was named a team captain.
During his visit to the school prior to his hiring, the former quarterback was reminded about why he initially loved the program so much.
鈥淚t transported me right back to being recruited here and reminded me of all the reasons I came here in the first place. The ability to call a place home,鈥� Carty said. 鈥淭he minute I stepped on campus, I remember it to this day, it felt like home. 鈥�. I still feel that when I walk in.鈥�
Immediately after his graduation from UD in 2007, Carty would jump into coaching as an offensive coach for Colonial Athletic Association member New Hampshire. A jack of all trades in terms of offensive coaching, Carty would hold positions as the tight end coach, the running backs coach and the wide receiver coach before he would take over the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2012. Carty would hold that position for the Wildcats for six years, helping lead the team to a 54-26 record and back-to-back FCS Playoff Semifinal appearances in both 2013 and 2014.
Following his 11-year tenure at New Hampshire, Carty would join the coaching staff at Sam Houston State as the team鈥檚 offensive coordinator in 2018. Over his four years in Huntsville, Texas, Carty would help the Bearkats become one of the best teams, specifically offensively, in the entire country. During his time as OC, the Bearkats would accumulate a 34-11 record including back-to-back FCS Playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021.
The spring 2020 season was especially impressive for Carty and his unit. During that year, the SHSU offense ranked first nationally in total yards, first in touchdowns, third in first downs, ninth in scoring offense, 13th in total offense and 13th in passing offense in a year where the Bearkats would go a perfect 10-0, winning the first national championship in program history. In recognition of his contribution to the success, Carty would be named the FCS Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.com.
This past season, the Bearkats were also strong offensively finishing third in scoring offense, fourth in touchdowns, fifth in total offense, seventh in rushing offense, eighth in first downs and 21st in passing offense. This helped the Bearkats to a perfect 10-0 regular season record and a playoff victory over UIW in the FCS Playoffs Second Round, but the team would fall to Montana State in the FCS Quarterfinals on Dec. 11.
Now, Carty will look to bring over similar offensive success to the Blue Hens, an offense where he will call plays as the head coach and will use multiple formations to create a strong unit.
鈥淸It鈥檚] not an offense in a box and it鈥檚 evolved over time,鈥� Carty said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 say I am this and it fits what other people like that do. We鈥檙e going to do whatever gets down the field and scores points.鈥�
Carty understands that talent and the team is not the important thing for a successful program. He repeatedly mentioned the importance of the support system around the team, the faculty, staff and of course the fans. In fact, he was specific with his desire for fan involvement.
鈥淣ational championship teams have national championship fans,鈥� Carty said. 鈥淲e need you. [The stadium] used to rock. Let鈥檚 get it back.鈥�
Prior to his official introduction to the public, Carty was able to hold a team meeting with his Blue Hens players. While taking the moment in, he did realize the importance of the moment, running the first team meeting as a head coach, at his alma mater.
鈥淚t was fun,鈥� Carty said. 鈥淚t was something I got a chance to do for the first time as a head coach and the fact I got to do it in a place I was sitting as a player, that was special.鈥�
Carty will be charged with the task of returning Delaware to its prior dominance. This season, the Blue Hens went a disappointing 5-6, only a few months removed from an FCS Playoffs Semifinals appearance. With Carty back in the fold, UD fans will hope for similar results the team used to see back when he was a quarterback for the program.
