Delaware Football Announces Coaching Staff Updates for 2026 Season

Several key members of the Blue Hens' coaching staff will take on elevated roles and new responsibilities.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 3:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Delaware football program is undergoing several coaching staff adjustments as it prepares for the 2026 season, head coach Ryan Carty announced. The most significant changes involve promotions and redefined responsibilities for several key members of the coaching staff, including Manny Rojas, Rocco DiMeco, Xavier Dye, Tyler Ferguson, Garrett Smith, Theo Brown, and Noah Plack.

Why it matters

These staffing changes come after a successful 2025 season for the Blue Hens, where they finished with a 7-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Conference USA (CUSA) in their first year competing at the FBS level. The program is looking to build on that momentum and continue to develop its players and coaching staff.

The details

Manny Rojas has been promoted to Assistant Head Coach, Defense, and will directly oversee the safeties. Rocco DiMeco will now serve as Co-Defensive Coordinator in addition to his existing duties as Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers coach. Xavier Dye will take on the additional responsibility of Recruiting Coordinator while continuing to coach the running backs. Tyler Ferguson will now coach the tight ends, Garrett Smith will transition from tight ends coach to coach the quarterbacks, and Theo Brown and Noah Plack will take on expanded analyst roles.

  • The coaching staff changes were announced on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
  • The 2026 Delaware Football season is currently underway.

The players

Ryan Carty

The head coach of the University of Delaware football program.

Manny Rojas

A veteran of eight seasons with the Blue Hens and four under Carty, he has been promoted to Assistant Head Coach, Defense, and will directly oversee the safeties.

Rocco DiMeco

He will now serve as Co-Defensive Coordinator in addition to his existing duties as Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers coach.

Xavier Dye

He will take on the additional responsibility of Recruiting Coordinator while continuing to coach the running backs.

Tyler Ferguson

He will now coach the tight ends, having initially joined the program as an offensive analyst before being elevated to Senior Offensive Analyst prior to 2024.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These staffing changes come after a successful 2025 season for the Blue Hens, where they finished with a 7-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Conference USA (CUSA) in their first year competing at the FBS level.”

— Ryan Carty, Head Coach

What’s next

Season tickets for the 2026 Delaware Football season are currently available for purchase at bluehens.com/fbtickets.

The takeaway

The University of Delaware football program is making strategic coaching staff changes to build on the momentum from a successful 2025 season and continue developing its players and program as it enters its second year competing at the FBS level in Conference USA.