Ursinus head coach Peter Gallagher. Photo by Ursinus Athletics

The Ursinus football program has enjoyed success over the last several years, producing a winning record in seven of its last eight seasons.

The Bears, led by long-time coach Peter Gallagher, did not maintain that kind of success by accident.

It takes dedication, hard work and a passion for the sport and your program.

Gallagher talked about how he is able to keep players coming to Ursinus and buying into him, his coaching staff and the team.

“Coaching is a continuum, every year you work to recruit better players than you did the year before,” said Gallagher, whose squad finished 7-3 overall last year and 6-3 in the Centennial Conference. “Every year you try to develop your schemes to be more efficient than the year before. So the challenges that face you as a coach when replacing great players is to just stay true to the process that recruited and developed the great players that are leaving. There is always some adaptation that needs to be made but hopefully the process has created an environment that fosters student achievement for next in line.”

Some of those great players that graduated include quarterback Chris Curran, running back Jason Golderer, receiver Jerry Rahill and center Joe Polansky on offense. The defense is still young and its biggest graduation hit was losing defensive lineman Andrew Fiorentino.

Gallagher singled out some of the returning players he is looking to for production.

“Kevin (Monahan) is going to be a big part of our success in 2014,” the coach said. “We are looking to Taylor Paul and Kory Kelly to set up at the running back spot. Returning starters Woody Stefankiewicz and Fran Grey will lead our offensive line. Wide receivers Darius Jones and Josh Williams will be veterans and expected to contribute. Defensively… Defensive Ends Michael Moronese, and Steve Ambs return along with our entire linebacker and defensive back core. Replacing Kevin James, John Carty, and Andrew Fiorentino from our front is a challenge we are focused on.”

Senior-to-be Kevin Monahan, named the starter under center for 2014, talked about moving on and taking over.

QB Kevin Monahan

“We definitely lost some key players from last year,” said Monahan, who got significant playing time in 2013 when Curran was out a few games due to injury. “Chris and Jerry plus players from the offensive line. It is going to be hard to replace those guys. But we have a ton of young guys who are really excited about playing. They’ve looked good in spring practice and I’m really confident about it.”

Monahan said he wants to take over a leadership role now that the quarterback job is his to lose.

“Definitely, yes, I want to be a leader,” Monahan said. “I am definitely trying to fill that role. Just from playing a little last year, having some experience under my belt, it’s important to show leadership to some of the younger guys.”

Also on offense, the Bears will look to their left tackle Woody Stefankiewicz, who, listed at 6-foot-7, 335 pounds, will be counted on to anchor the offensive line in every situation.

Woody Stefankiewicz

Stefankiewicz talked about losing their center and how the line is shaping up for 2014.

“Joe Polanski was pretty good, he knew everything there was to know about our offense,” Stefankiewicz said. “It is going to be hard to replace him, but we have Fran Grey coming back and will play center. He’s got to be the leader of the o-line there. He’s been really stepping up this spring and knows what he’s doing. I think he will replace Joe pretty well.”

Certainly, with his size and athleticism Stefankiewicz could have had other options, but he chose Ursinus, why?

“It was just the aura about here,” Stefankiewicz said. “The coaches, they actually seemed nice, they weren’t here for just business. They actually have personalities. All the kids here looked they wanted to play. They were not here to get paid to play football they were here because they want to play football. It is not about wearing the sweatshirt, it is about playing.”

Stefankiewicz said he is optimistic the Bears will continue to enjoy success.

“We have a lot of young guys who have to come in here and step it up,” Stefankiewicz said. “Our quarterback Kevin Monahan, played a few games last year and showed he can hang with the big guys. I see the younger guys coming out here with us, I see them progressing and working as hard as they can.”

Defensive end

Michael Moronese

will be asked to lead a defense that will be counted on early in the season while the new players on offense come together.

“We want our offense to depend on us,” the 5-10, 225 pound Moronese said. “When it comes down to game time situations, we want our offense to know they can depend on us. We trust our offense to put points on the board and get the job done. Our pride and and our true battle strength really lies in our defense.”

Moronese wants the Bears to believe they can finally win the Centennial Conference and get to the Division III playoffs.

“We’re looking for that edge,” Moronese said. “We’re looking that one tiny, last piece that will complete us and make us known as a feared defense in our conference.”

Stefankiewicz also talked about what it would it take to win the conference and get to the playoffs.

“You have to work on it game by game,” Stefankiewicz said. “You have to look at John Hopkins, Muhlenberg…they are going to be the big dogs. It is all about discipline and you’ve got to be better then them every play and do what you have to do to win”

The Bears have already proved they can win games, but is winning a title in the cards this year?

Matt Santoleri contributed to this article.

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