(Posted June 15, 2004)

Huntingdon, PA - Darrell Alt, who has served as an assistant coach for the Juniata College football team for the past two seasons, has accepted an offer to serve as the interim head coach of the Juniata College football program, according to director of athletics Larry Bock. Alt, who will begin his tenure immediately, takes over for Kevin Burke who resigned his position as head coach last week.

"Darrell is a competent, solid achiever who is now in position to keep the football moving forward in a positive way," Bock stated. "Everything Darrell has done in his two years here gives me the confidence that he is ready for this challenge."

Alt has been a part of the Juniata coaching staff for the past two seasons. He came to College Hill prior to the 2002 season, and has served as a full-time assistant since that time. He has worked as the special teams coach and the linebackers coach over the past two seasons, while also serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Blue and Gold. In his two years working with the Juniata special teams, the Eagles have placed two punters and a place-kicker on the MAC All-Conference team. Juniata ranked second in the MAC yards per kick return in 2003.

"I feel honored to be a part of the tradition of Juniata football," Alt stated. "I've dreamed of the opportunity to be a head coach my entire life, and I'm excited to have this chance."

Alt came to Juniata from Gettysburg College, where he worked for two seasons as the outside linebacker and special teams coach for the Bullets. Gettysburg went 4-6 overall in Alt's final season on the sideline at Gettysburg. He was responsible for recruiting efforts in Pennsylvania and he coordinated and implemented the strength-training program for the Gettysburg football squad. He also served as an assistant baseball coach and as an instructor within the Health and Exercise Science Department.

A native of Fort Ashyb, West Virginia, Alt earned his associate's degree in science from Potomac State College in 1994, before completing his bachelor's degree in psychology at Frostburg State University. Alt also earned his master's degree in physical education from Western Maryland College.

He began his coaching career in 1993 as the head junior varsity coach at Frankfort High School. Alt was also the defensive coordinator and was responsible for the entire operation of the junior varsity program. In addition, he served as the defensive and offensive line coach for the varsity unit at Frankfort. Five years later, he became an assistant coach (special teams coordinator/secondary coach) at Potomac State College where he worked from 1998 until he moved onto Gettysburg in 2000.

"A lot of the systems are already in place for us to be successful," Alt explained. "I'll be looking to tweak some things here and there to try and put my stamp on things, but I don't foresee a lot of changes. We'll try and emphasize the need to respect the past, while moving towards the future."

Juniata opens its 2004 season on Saturday, Sept. 4, when it travels to play non-conference foe Dickinson at 1 p.m.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.