NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut State University football head coach Tom Godek has announced that former Owls stand-out Rob Eggerling '01 has been named as the program's defensive coordinator, as announced on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020.
 
"I'm very thankful and excited to be back here at Southern," Eggerling said. "It truly was and still is a special place for me. The amount of passion that this program has of former & present players makes it so rewarding. I look forward to being back on the sidelines of Jess Dow Field once again."
 
Eggerling starred for the Owls from 1997 through 2000, earning All-Northeast 10 Conference First Team Defense honors as a punter in 1999. Eggerling completed his career in 2000 with the second-most punts (147) in program history, as well as the second-most total career yards (5,135) all-time. He was also a senior captain, and chosen as the Owls' Offensive Most Valuable Player that season. He was also a pitcher for Southern's baseball team in 2000.

"Welcoming Rob Eggerling back to Southern Connecticut to guide our defense continues to build on the history and spirit of Owls football," Godek said. "Rob's dedication and well-earned respect in the coaching circles, along with his strong family values, will be another great addition to our team. More importantly, it will be incredibly beneficial for the continued success of our student-athletes and the impact it will have on their families."

Eggerling returns to Southern Connecticut after serving as the safeties coach at Bowdoin for the past four seasons. Prior to his stint at Bowdoin College, Eggerling was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at NE10 foe Saint Anselm College from 2008 through 2015, during which time he was named the 2014 NCAA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston. Eggerling's Hawks defense was nationally-ranked in total takeaways, with 112 from 2008 through 2012. He was also instrumental in the development of a NE10 Rookie of the Year as well as several NE10 All-Rookie and All-NE10 picks.
 
In 2017, Eggerling also served as the Secondary Coach for the USA Football U18 Select Team that won the International Bowl over Team Canada.
 
Prior to Saint Anselm, Eggerling served as the defensive coordinator at Hartwick College for two seasons that included the 2007 Empire 8 Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs. He also served as Hartwick's offensive line coach and defensive line coach. Before Hartwick, he served as the defensive ends coach, before then coaching outside linebackers, at University of New Hampshire. His coaching career started at St. Lawrence as a graduate assistant in 2001 and 2002.
 
A 2001 graduate from SCSU, Eggerling earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science. He also graduated with a master's degree from St. Lawrence in 2003. He and his wife, Nikki, have two sons, Ian and Nathan.