WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University head football coach Jonathan Drach has announced the Colonels staff for the upcoming 2018 season. The new hires consists of two full-time coaches and three interns.
 
Tripp Merritt and David Biever remain on the staff from a season ago but add new titles. Merritt will now serve as the Colonels defensive coordinator as well as coaching the safeties. Biever adds recruiting coordinator to his title as well as coaching the offensive line.
 
Tom Elder and Kelvin Cruz join the staff as new full-time assistant coaches. Elder will coach the linebackers and serve as the special teams coordinator while Cruz will coach the tight ends and fullbacks.
 
Elder came to Wilkes after serving two seasons in the same position at Endicott College, where he assisted the head coach and defensive coordinator with all aspects of game day planning and served as a focal point in the program's recruiting efforts while coaching four All-Conference selections. Elder also organized the team's summer fundraising efforts and orchestrated all social media efforts.
 
Prior to his time at Endicott, Elder served as a defensive assistant at Hobart College, where he helped lead the Statesmen to the 2014 Liberty League Championship. Elder graduated from Hobart in 2011 where he was a four-year letter-winner at the inside linebacker position, leading the team to three Liberty League Championships and an NCAA Quarterfinals appearance. "Tom is a born leader that brings an intensity and passion to recruiting and coaching," noted Drach. "He will provide our linebacking core a depth of knowledge and support both on and off the field."
 
Cruz also came to Wilkes after a stint at Hobart. He spent the last two seasons as the tight ends coach, where he mentored one All-Conference selection. Prior to his time at Hobart, Cruz spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Geneva High School. Cruz graduated from Hobart in 2012 where he was a starter on the offensive line for the Statesmen appearing in 33 games over his career. "Kelvin has been an excellent coach and player for me over the past ten years," said Drach. "His ability to teach and relate to student athletes makes him a special asset to our staff."
 
Wilkes also welcomes in three new interns to the staff including Joe Danielson, Jack Pfohl and Shane Sweeney. Danielson will coach the defensive line, Pfohl will coach the wide receivers and Sweeney will coach the running backs.
 
Danielson came to Wilkes after serving two seasons in the same position at Endicott College. While at Endicott, Danielson mentored four All-Conference selections and one CoSIDA Academic All-American while assisting in all aspects of the program. Danielson graduated from Connecticut in 2014 and was a member of the 2010 Big East Champions who played in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma. "Joe has played at the highest level of collegiate football and is a gifted teacher of technique and discipline," said Drach. "His positive energy is infectious personality will help to grow our recruiting base throughout the east coast."
 
Pfohl came to Wilkes after serving one season in the same position at Hobart, where he assisted in all aspects of the program while also assisting at the teams Elite Prospect camps. Pfohl graduated from Hobart in 2017 where he was a four-year member of the Statesmen football program, helping the team to three Liberty League titles. "Jack was an extremely productive receiver for me in my time at Hobart and William Smith Colleges," explained Drach. "His knowledge of our offensive system and relatability to the players makes him a perfect fit to mentor our your group of wide receivers."
 
Sweeney graduated from Hobart in 2017 where he spent three seasons as a member of the Statesmen football team. He was named an All-American, ECAC Player of the Year, and Liberty League Player of the year at quarterback his senior season. Sweeney was also named First Team All-Liberty League and First Team All-ECAC, and also led the conference in touchdown passes and passing yards. "Shane has been my coach on the field for the past three seasons at Hobart," said Drach. "His passion for competition and the game could be seen in his record setting performance on the field. Together we rewrote the passing record books and will look to do the same in the coming years at Wilkes."