| Coaching Experience |
|
| 2016-Present |
The College at Brockport, Assistant Coach - Defensive Backs & Safeties |
| 2010-2015 |
St. John Fisher College, Assistant Coach - Defensive Backs |
| 2009 |
Penfield High School, Defensive Coordinator |
| 2006-2008 |
St. John Fisher College, Assistant Coach - Defensive Backs |
| Highlights at Brockport |
Year(s) |
| Three-time Empire 8 Conference Coaching Staff of the Year |
2017-2019 |
| Three-time Empire 8 Conference Champion |
2017-2019 |
| Three straight NCAA Division III Football Championship appearances |
2017-2019 |
| Program's First NCAA National Semifinals appearance |
2017 |
| Led the conference in team interceptions |
2017-2019 |
| ECAC Bowl Game Appearances |
2016 |
| Brockport has a 63-18 overall record in his tenure |
2016-2023 |
| Two consecutive undefeated regular seasons |
2017-2018 |
| Brockport has a 38-8 Empire 8 record during his tenure |
2016-2023 |
| Nationally-Ranked at End of Season |
2017-2018 |
| Four All-American Defensive Backs |
2017-2023 |
David Blahowicz joined the Brockport staff in the Fall of 2016 after completing a ten year stint at St. John Fisher College. His coaching responsibilities include working with defensive backs and safeties.
Guiding Student-Athletes to Success
From 2016-2019, six members of the Brockport secondary earned All-Region status under the guidance of Blahowicz. At this point of his tenure, four of his student-athletes in the secondary were named All-American. Several members of the Brockport secondary have gone on to win major awards including the 2019 and 2022 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and the 2023 Empire 8/ECAC Defensive Player of the Year. The 2023 defense saw three All-Conference selections, two All-Region, and two All-ECAC selections.
Blahowicz and the Brockport secondary have now led the league in interceptions in each of the last three seasons (2017, 2018, 2019), totaling an incredible 68 interceptions over the course of three seasons. In 2023 the secondary was key in the Brockport defense ranking inside the top 20 nationally in multiple categories:
2
nd – Total Defense (193.3 ypg)
T-3
rd – 1
st Down Defense (117 allowed)
4
th – 3
rd Down Defense (.231 pct)
5
th – Passing Yards Allowed (125.3 ypg)
6
th – Scoring Defense (9.8 ppg)
8
th – Passing Efficiency Defense (87.87)
T-12
th – Tackles for Loss (8.3 tflpg)
18
th – Rushing Defense (68.0 ypg)
The Three-Peat
In 2019, Blahowicz and the secondary played a major role in helping the coaching staff earn its record third straight Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year honor, while guiding the top defense in the conference. He has now won three straight Empire 8 Championships and made three straight appearances in the NCAA Division III Football Championship. This past season the Golden Eagles rattled off eight straight victories, including rallying from a 23-0 first half deficit to earn a thrilling 32-26 overtime victory over then-ranked No. 18 Cortland, to help seal the program’s third straight E8 title. The league title secured Brockport’s third straight NCAA Championship appearance where the Golden Eagles went on the road to defeat Western New England in first round action before falling in the Sweet 16 at eventual national semifinalist Muhlenberg. The Golden Eagles finished the year with the top rushing offense in the Empire 8 Conference.
Leading the League in INTs Once Again
In 2018, the Golden Eagles led the league and ranked third nationally with 23 interceptions and the strong effort from the secondary helped guide Brockport to its second straight Empire 8 Conference title and yet another NCAA Division III Football Championship appearance.
Three members of the Brockport secondary were named all-region in 2018, while two earned All-American status.
NCAA Final Four in Just His Second Year
Blahowicz’s second season with Brockport was an impressive one, as the Brockport secondary helped lead them to their best season in program history with an appearance in the 2017 NCAA Final Four. Three members of the Golden Eagle secondary were placed on Empire 8 All-Conference teams. Two of those players were also placed on D3Football.com All-East Region teams, while safety Jake O'Connell was named a First-Team All-American.
Welcome to Brockport
In his first season at Brockport, Blahowicz's defensive secondary ranked third in the country in defensive touchdowns while intercepting 16 passes. Safety Jake O'Connell was named a pre-season First-Team All-American by d3football.com after a breakout junior campaign under Blahowicz. As a team, the Golden Eagles earned an ECAC Bowl bid, kick starting what would be an incredible run for the Brockport football program over the course of the seasons to come.
Playing Career
As a player, Blahowicz was a quarterback and defensive back for St. John Fisher between 2000 and 03, recording 55 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, and a forced fumble. He then went on to earn a graduate degree from Fisher in 2007.
