Par Hills Grad Ready to Lead Temple Footballers

When he decided to attend Temple University in Philadelphia, Parsippany Hills graduate Mike Gerardi was excited about the up-and-coming football program and the opportunity to compete for the team's starting quarterback position.

Four years later, he's still fighting for the job.

Even though the Owls kick off their season Thursday night against Villanova in the third annual Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field, Gerardi doesn't know if he's the guy who will take the helm of the team's offense.

"Even I'm not 100 percent sure, and it's tough not knowing because you aren't sure what to expect," Gerardi said after Saturday's practice, just five days before the big game. "You want to come to practice and play the best you can whether you are with the first or second team. You have to execute no matter who you are playing with or the situation. That's what the coaches are looking for."

In the pre-season, junior Chester Stewart and Gerardi were named as the team's top quarterbacks. Stewart will sit out of the opener due to violating a team rule but the Week 1 depth chart still lists two possible starters, Gerardi or sophomore Chris Coyer.

"It's always going to be a battle because quarterback is the toughest position on the field, so there is always strong competition," Gerardi said. "Coming into the spring, I didn't know what to expect. I had considerable experience from last season, but also knew that it was going to be  between me, Chris and Chester, so I came in just trying to execute and run the offense the best I can."

Gerardi started the last five games of Temple's 2010 season, posting a 3-2 record. He tossed 10 touchdown passes while completing 93 of 156 passes for 1,290 yards. The Owls finished 8-4 on the season, but two costly losses on national television to end the year prevented the team from being selected for a college bowl game. 

A coaching change at Temple has also led to the open competition. University of Florida offensive assistant Steve Addazio takes over the Temple program from Al Golden, who was hired away by the University of Miami. Addazio, the Gators' offensive coordinator the previous two seasons, spent six years in Gainesville coaching, among others, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.

But that's not what the Parsippany native likes about his new coach.

"You always know where you stand with Coach Addazio," Gerardi said. "He's a straightforward person. The way it is, is the way he tells it. He'll always be honest with you. Looking at his resume, he's got national championships, countless winning seasons—and I'm really happy to have him here."

There are always changes on the field with a new coach, but Addazio downplays how much Temple's offense will be different.

"That's overrated," Addazio said. "We are carrying a lot of the same philosophy over because we have a tailback that we want to feature. There's a learning curve, but it's not some wild change."

Gerardi, a 2006 Par Hills grad who led the Vikings to back-to-back conference titles, was an first-team all-state selection and was picked for the prestigious Governor's Cup after his senior season. After spending a year at Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire following graduation, he decided to attend Temple, where he red-shirted in 2008 and didn't play during the 2009 season.

The junior believes it's what he learned at Par Hills High School that helped him find his way to Philadelphia.

"[Head] Coach Dave Albano and Coach [and offensive coordinator] Brian Francis really worked with me a lot as far as my footwork. And also on just being a leader and knowing how to run a team," Gerardi said. "Obviously, the quarterback is a position where a lot of guys look to you in the huddle. They taught me how to focus on the game and how to take control in situations where you have to keep your poise."

"[Philly]'s not too far from home either, and the family can come down and see me play at the Linc or somewhere nearby."

A criminal justice major looking to graduate in the spring, Gerardi wants to attend graduate school next year and, of course, to be the Owls' starting quarterback. But his coach is looking for more from the  southpaw.

"I think he's got to work on everything," Addazio said, adding that Gerardi must focus on being a leader on the field and "different components of the game besides just throwing the ball. All the carrying out of fakes and all the different things that go with it. He's got to learn how to be more detailed."

The life of a college athlete is already difficult. He or she typically carries at least four classes while balancing practices, games and workouts. But the quarterback position requires maybe the most work off the field. It also may just bring the most adulation, too.

Gerardi says he can handle it.

"Football is like going to work. It's 6-8 hours a day, whether you're studying a practice or going through the playbook, watching film and then going to class," Gerardi said. "You are really tired at the end of the day but, in the end, playing in those games, it's all worth it."