Andy Rondeau and the Art of the Turnaround at Pace University

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. -- When Andy Rondeau meets a prospective football recruit, he’s businesslike in his approach. In fact, Pace University’s head football coach, who is in the midst of his sixth season with the Setters, hands out a business card that outlines his straightforward philosophy and high team standards.

He considers himself the “un-recruiter.”

“We’re looking for people who find a way to get it done,” Rondeau says. “If everybody on the team finds a way to get it done, we’ll get better … You just want a guy who is going to make themselves better.”

Getting better starts off the field: with the preparation, the practices, in the library, and all that goes into being a successful student athlete.

“Time is our most valuable asset, so we can’t waste it,” he says. “We are asking for a lifestyle.”

It’s clearly working. Over the course of his previous five seasons, the team has improved. Last year, he led the Setters to a 7-3 record – their best season in the program’s Division II history – that ended with three straight wins to finish third in the Northeast-10 Conference standings, which was their highest ever finish in the conference. Four players even earned Northeast-10 All-Conference honors, and 11 members of the Blue and Gold were selected to All-Conference teams.

This year, The Setters leapfrogged seven spots from the previous year in the Pre-Season Coach’s Poll to number three, behind conference rivals Assumption and New Haven. Thus far this season, Pace won 42-21 over Saint Anselm, 52-7 on the road over Franklin Pierce, 31-14 at home over Southern Connecticut, and lost a heart breaker 21-20 against Millersville.

The Setters are currently tied for first in the conference.

Rondeau credits the early season success to players buying into his coaching philosophy and his team rules, which were developed during his tenures coaching in different capacities at a number of programs including the College of Holy Cross, Old Dominion University, the University of Maine, University of Buffalo, University of Tennessee-Martin, North Dakota State University, University of Pittsburgh and Northeastern University.

Ultimately, he says, success comes when he has the buy-in from the team and its 93 players.

“We’re creating an environment of trust,” he says. “As a player, you have to decide if you trust me or not.”

The Rondeau Rules

Find a Way to Get it Done

Compete in your preparation

Do it better than it was ever done before

Do it with commitment, communication and trust

Team Standards

Protect the Team

No whining, no complaining, no excuses

Be on Time