The Auburn Tigers football team has welcomed back a familiar face to their coaching staff. Roc Bellantoni, who previously served as the team’s edge coach during Bryan Harsin’s tenure in 2022, has returned to fill the same role. This move comes in the wake of Josh Aldridge’s departure to become the defensive coordinator at East Carolina. Bellantoni’s return was first reported by Brian Stultz of AuburnSports.com.
Bellantoni’s history with Auburn began in 2021 when he joined Harsin’s inaugural staff as a defensive analyst. His solid performance earned him a promotion to edge coach the following year. Now, under head coach Hugh Freeze, Bellantoni will once again take on this critical role as the Tigers aim to revitalize their defense.
The 2024 season was a tumultuous one for Bellantoni, marking both professional challenges and new opportunities. A native of Port Chester, New York, he was dismissed in November from his dual role as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) by then-head coach Tom Herman. However, after Herman’s firing, interim head coach Chad Lunsford reinstated Bellantoni. Subsequently, new head coach Zach Kittley retained him on staff, demonstrating confidence in his coaching abilities despite the prior upheaval.
Bellantoni’s coaching journey began during his playing days. He was a defensive tackle at UMass and Iona from 1988 to 1993, experiences that laid the foundation for his career on the sidelines. His coaching career kicked off in high school in 1993, and by 1995, he had transitioned to college football as Buena Vista University’s defensive line coach. Over the past 30 years, Bellantoni has built an extensive resume, working at nine different programs in various defensive and special teams roles.
While he has primarily served as an assistant coach, Bellantoni briefly stepped into a head coaching role in 2007, acting as the interim head coach at Eastern Illinois University. Following that stint, he became the program’s associate head coach, a position he held for four seasons. His career has been marked by consistent success, with Bellantoni contributing to seven conference championship-winning coaching staffs, seven FCS playoff appearances, and three bowl games.
Another notable aspect of Bellantoni’s career is his track record of developing talent. According to FAU’s official website, he has coached 29 players who have gone on to play in the NFL. This ability to groom professional-caliber athletes will undoubtedly be an asset to Auburn as they seek to strengthen their defense.
In his new role at Auburn, Bellantoni will work under defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, aiming to build on the team’s solid defensive performance from the past season. With the Tigers enduring four consecutive losing seasons, the coaching staff is determined to turn things around in 2025. Bellantoni’s experience and familiarity with the program could prove pivotal as Auburn looks to break its losing streak and re-establish itself as a competitive force in college football.
The decision to bring back Bellantoni highlights Auburn’s commitment to assembling a coaching staff with proven expertise and strong ties to the program. As the Tigers prepare for the 2025 season, they are betting on Bellantoni’s ability to contribute to their defensive resurgence and help guide the team back to its winning ways.
