| Robby Long brought some
short-term stability to a DePauw football coaching position that
had been in flux. DePauw athletics photo |
Robby Long, DePauw's head football since August 2009, was dismissed today due to his failure to fully comply with the school's policies and administrative expectations. Scott Srnka (SERN-kah), who has been serving as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, will lead the Tigers program on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. The schoolis launching a nationwide search for DePauw's next head football coach.
"This never has been about football," says Stevie Baker-Watson, director of athletics at DePauw. We have been working with Coach Long since spring to resolve several administrative issues under his control. We made this decision to terminate Coach Long's employment because he failed to take corrective actions in a timely manner."
Scott Srnka joined the DePauw staff prior to the 2011 season as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. In his first season, Srnka's defense held opponents to just under 290 total yards per game which ranked 30th in Division III and just 101.9 rushing yards which was 21st in the nation.
Prior to coming to Greencastle, Srnka was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Rhodes, since 1993. He served as defensive coordinator and coached linebackers, defensive backs and kickers. He also served as head strength and conditioning coach, head men's golf coach and assistant track coach. While at Rhodes, Srnka's defense twice finished the season ranked in the top 25 for fewest total yards allowed including fifth in 2006.
DePauw's revolving door |
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| After the retirement of longtime coach Nick Mourouzis, DePauw has had five head football coaches in nine years: | ||
| Year | Coach | Record |
| 2012 | Scott Srnka | 0-0 |
| 2009-12 | Robby Long | 20-12 |
| 2006-08 | Matt Walker | 22-8 |
| 2005 | Tim Rogers | 7-2 |
| 2004 | Bill Lynch | 8-2 |
Srnka earned a bachelor of arts degree at Rhodes and majored in art. A four-year starter at strong safety for the Lynx, he was an all-conference selection in his junior and senior seasons. He attended Ohio University where he earned a master of science in health promotion and disease prevention and was a football graduate assistant coach. Upon completion of his degree, Srnka coached at Urbana as the defensive coordinator for one season. He then moved to Baldwin-Wallace from 1990-93 where he coached quarterbacks, running backs and kickers. He also was the assistant softball coach.
DePauw begins the search for its next football coach at a time when the school is in the midst of a fundraising campaign which is designed to upgrade Blackstock Stadium, the Lilly Center, and other athletic venues on campus.
DePauw, which played its first intercollegiate football game in 1884, has an all-time record of 544-471-40. The win total is the 17th highest in all of NCAA Division III.