Lenoir-Rhyne worked quickly to fill its head football vacancy, naming Doug Socha as the program’s 24th head coach on Monday.
Socha replaces Mike Jacobs, who took the Mercer head coaching job earlier this month after winning 32 games the past four years. Socha heads to Hickory after six successful seasons at NAIA Keiser University in Florida, which included a national championship run this past season.
FootballScoop.com called the hire a “blockbuster” for Lenoir-Rhyne, which went 13-2 this past season and advanced to the Division II national semifinals. D2Football.com national columnist Chuck Bittner concurred.
“This is remarkable work by LR,” Bittner posted on Twitter/X. “Mike Jacobs resigned less than 2 weeks ago and the Bears already have a coach in place (before signing day) with a resume that should command D1 attention. Pretty incredible.”
Here are 10 things to know about Lenoir-Rhyne’s new football chief, who will be introduced officially at a press conference and public ceremony next Tuesday, Feb. 6.
1. Socha started the Keiser football program six years ago (2018). The West Palm Beach-based school went 6-4 that first season and went on to post a 55-15 overall record and 33-3 conference mark under Socha. Keiser went undefeated in the regular season in both 2019 and 2020.
2. Keiser made the NAIA playoffs all six years under Socha and won five Sun Conference championships. The Seahawks advanced to the NAIA title game in 2022, falling to Northwestern College (Iowa) in the finale. The ’22 team beat the No. 1, 2 and 4 seeds enroute to the championship round.
The Seahawks went 12-2 this past season and won the NAIA crown, avenging the 2022 loss to Northwestern College with a 31-21 triumph over the top-seeded Red Raiders. Keiser’s only losses in 2023 came to Division II programs, Mississippi College and Valdosta State (a team that Lenoir-Rhyne faced in the D2 playoffs).
3. According to FootballScoop.com, Socha is expected to bring multiple assistants from his Keiser staff to Hickory, including defensive coordinator Robbie Owens. Keiser’s 2023 offensive coordinator Myles Russ was named the Seahawks’ new head coach on Monday.
4. Keiser had a balanced offensive attack this past season under Socha, averaging 402.8 yards per game (218.3 rushing and 184.6 passing). The Seahawks broke the school record for total rushing yards (3,169) and notched 47 touchdowns on the ground.
5. Socha’s Keiser team rolled up 373 rushing yards in the NAIA title game, with one back (Jaden Meizinger) recording 261 by himself, including a 75-yard TD on the first play from scrimmage.
6. Keiser’s defense held 10 opponents under 100 rushing yards this past season. The Seahawks allowed just 18.5 points per contest.
7. Socha was the American Football Coaches Association NAIA coach of the year this past season. He was named conference coach of the year four times while at Keiser.
8. Socha spent one season with the Buffalo Bills (2016) before taking the Keiser job. Before that, he served as a high school coach from 2010-15 (winning a state championship at American Heritage School). His resume also includes a stint at the University of Buffalo, serving as recruiting coordinator, wide receivers coach and graduate assistant in the early 2000s.
9. Socha and his wife, Carrie, have six children. Two have graduated from college and are currently in the coaching world. Their son Cade is an offensive analyst at the University of Hawaii under head football coach Timmy Chang.
10. Socha graduated from Cal State Northridge with a bachelor’s in kinesiology. He played collegiately at Los Angeles Valley College and Mesa State as a defensive back.
“My family and I are thrilled to join the LR family and the Hickory Community,” Socha said in a Lenoir-Rhyne release. “I would like to thank President Whitt, Vice President for Athletics Kim Pate, and the screening committee for showing me how truly special Lenoir-Rhyne is from its academic excellence, strong alumni, and championship expectations.”
Doug Socha Resume
(Courtesy Lenoir-Rhyne University)
- 2024-Present: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Head Coach
- 2017-2023: Keiser University – Head Coach
- 2016: Buffalo Bills – Offensive Quality Control
- 2012-2015: Oxbridge Academy – Head Football Coach
- 2010-2012: American Heritage School – Head Football Coach/Athletics Director
- 2006-2010: American Heritage School – Offensive Coordinator
- 2001-2005: University of Buffalo – Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers
- 2000: University of Buffalo – Defensive Graduate Assistant/Inside Linebackers
- 1998-2000: College of the Canyons – Defensive Backs Coach
- 1997: Grand Junction High School – Defensive Backs Coach
What others are saying about Doug Socha
(Courtesy Lenoir-Rhyne)
“I am beyond excited to welcome Doug Socha and his family to Hickory to take over the reins of our storied football program. Coach Socha has won at every level of football and brings proven leadership and a record of success from his time in the NFL, Division I, high school, and, most recently, Keiser University. He has developed Keiser into a national powerhouse and understands the importance of building a championship culture that develops student-athletes on and off the field.”
Kim Pate, Lenoir-Rhyne’s Vice President for Athletics
.
“Lenoir-Rhyne has hired a great new Head Coach in Doug Socha. Doug’s ability to build a winning culture and his deep knowledge of the game are only surpassed by the impact he has on the lives of the young men he coaches. I am certain that Doug will usher in a sustained period of competitive excellence.”
Matt Rhule, Head Football Coach, Nebraska Football
.
“Doug and I worked together at the Buffalo Bills and in my current role with the Dolphins I have been able to watch him build this program from the ground up to National Champions! He is an excellent X and O coach but more importantly will build a Winning Culture, and he is a great person.”
David Lee, Quarterback Consultant, Miami Dolphins
.
“Having worked side by side with Coach Socha at the beginning of his time at KU and watching how he interacted with the campus community, led our staff, and developed the players into men was awesome. He is the BEST CULTURE BUILDER in College football.”
Roy Istvan, Assistant Offensive Line Coach, Philadelphia Eagles (Former Keiser Offensive Coordinator)
.
“I have known Coach Socha for 20+ years from his time recruiting South Florida as a college coach in the early 2000s, and then competing with him in the HS ranks. Watching what he has done at both the HS level and building Keiser into a National Champion has been awesome to watch. Great hire!”
Jack Daniels, 2x State Champion Coach, Cardinal Newman HS
.
“Doug Socha is a proven winner on the field, and an inspiring leader off it. His dedication to culture is what makes him and his teams so special.”
Timmy Chang, Head Football Coach, Hawaii Football
.
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