Roc Bellantoni
Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Phone: 217-581-7765
Email:
rabellantoni@eiu.edu
Position: Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Alma Mater: Iona College, 1993
Years at EIU: 10th year
Winning the turnover battle is something that Eastern Illinois defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni has preached since he joined the Panthers staff. In 2006 that mantra was proven correct as the Panthers led the nation in turnovers gained with 31. In 2009 Eastern Illinois forced 26 turnovers to rank 19th in the nation as EIU has ranked in the top 25 nationally in turnovers gained in four of Bellantoni’s eight seasons as defensive coordinator.
Bellantoni joined the Panthers defensive staff in 2001 and was promoted to his current role of coordinator following the 2002 spring practice season. In spring of 2009 he was elevated to associate head coach for defense after two seasons as assistant head coach.
In his career he has coached three Ohio Valley Conference Defenders of the Year including back-to-back winners Clint Sellers in 2005 and Donald Thomas in 2006. In 2007 Thomas finished as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award handed out to the nation’s top FCS defensive player. Bellantoni also coached Nick Ricks to being named a two-time finalist for the Buchanan Award after winning OVC Defender of the Year honors in 2002. In 2008 he coached Pierre Walters, a mid-season Buchanan Award candidate, who later played in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star game before earning a roster spot with the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2005 Bellantoni’s defense ranked 19th in the country in scoring defense allowing just 19.2 points per game. The Panthers ranked first in the OVC in rushing defense and second nationally in turnover margin with +1.5 per game. The Panthers scored an unprecedented eight defensive touchdowns.
Prior to coming to EIU, Bellantoni was the defensive coordinator at Drake University which shared the Pioneer League title in 2000 with a 7-4 record. Drake’s defense forced 26 turnovers and had 36 quarterback sacks that season. He also coached defensive line at Drake in 1998 and 1999 with the Bulldogs winning the 1998 conference title.
Bellantoni started his coaching career at Mamoroneck High School High School in New York in 1993 and made his first collegiate coaching stop at Buena Vista University in Iowa in 1995.
A 1993 graduate of Iona College, Bellantoni earned three varsity letters playing defense tackle for the Gaels. He started his playing career at Massachusetts as a member of the 1998 Yankee Conference championship team.
Bellantoni currently serves as the Panthers recruiting contact for south Florida. He also serves as the liaison with campus food services and housing and is the summer camp director.
Bellantoni and his wife Jenny have four sons, Gino, Marco and twins Nicolas and Ricky.
Return to Staff