Oji Fagan Selected as Hudson Valley's Football Coach

CONTACT: Steve Mullen (518) 629-8063
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Monday, March 21, 2005

Oji Fagan

Hudson Valley Community College Director of Athletics Drew Marrochello today announced that Oji Fagan has been appointed as the college's new head football coach.

Fagan, who was the offensive line coach and academic coordinator at Stonehill College in 2004, replaces Bob Jojo, who has more wins than any other coach in the program's history. Jojo was 42-21 in seven years with the Vikings.

"Coach Fagan was a very good assistant coach here for three years and we are very excited that he has returned to take over the program," Marrochello said. "He has always had a good rapport with his student-athletes and truly cares about their success - academically and athletically. He understands the tradition of excellence that surrounds Hudson Valley's football program and I am fully confident that he will provide the direction the program needs to remain one of the best in the country."

Prior to taking the position at Stonehill, Fagan was an assistant coach under Jojo from 2001 to 2003. He helped Hudson Valley to two Northeast Football Conference championships, two Region III titles and a spot in the 2003 Graphic Edge Bowl. He is the eighth head coach in the 37-year history of the Hudson Valley program.

Hudson Valley finished the 2004 campaign ranked 20th in the NJCAA poll with an 8-3 record. The Vikings won their third conference championship in the last four years and their fourth Region III title in the last five years. The Vikings sport a 173-134-6 (.562) all-time record, including a 91-36 (.717) mark since 1990.

"I'm very grateful that Mr. Marrochello has given me the opportunity to return to Hudson Valley," Fagan said. "This is a very exciting opportunity for me. Hudson Valley is a very special place where I feel I can help a lot of people and we can be very successful."

Originally from Brooklyn, Fagan received his bachelor's degree from the University at Albany in 2000. He was a four-year letter winner for the Great Danes.

In addition to his coaching position, Fagan will serve as the academic coordinator for the Athletic Department.