Villanova football makes three coaching changes

Villanova football coach Andy Talley on Friday announced three changes to the Wildcats coaching staff.

Billy Crocker was promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator. Roc Bellantoni was hired to coach the defensive line and special teams, and Tony Trisciani will be the secondary coach.

Crocker, who just completed his seventh season at Villanova, earned his second promotion in two seasons. After serving as the defensive line coach for six years, Crocker was elevated to linebackers coach and special teams coordinator in 2011.

Crocker replaced Mark Reardon, who left Villanova in December to become the head coach at St. Augustine Prep.

Bellantoni joined Villanova from Eastern Illinois, where he was defensive coordinator from 2002 to 2011 and associate head coach from 2007 to 2011. He also was defensive coordinator at Drake. Bellantoni replaced Dave Sollazzo, who left to join the coaching staff at Massachusetts.

Trisciani arrives from Whitehall High School in Whitehall, Pa., where he was the head coach for the last five years. He has also coached college players at Elon, Lehigh, New Hampshire, Alfred and Springfield.

- Inquirer staff