Feb 13, 2020
This week on Inside the Headset we are featuring Robert Morris defensive coordinator, Dave Plungas. Coach Plungas discusses his unusual path to playing football, the challenges of coaching at your alma mater, and breaks down his defensive philosophy.
Dave Plungas was named the Robert Morris University defensive coordinator in January of 2018. Prior to Robert Morris, Plungas served as the outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator for three seasons at his alma mater, the University at Albany. Plungas helped mold the 2017 Great Danes defense into the ninth best in the nation. That squad held their opponents to just 282.1 yards per game, a number that was bolstered by the country’s 15th rush defense (107.0) and 20th pass defense (175.1). The Albany defense finished in the top-20 of eight different national stats categories in 2017.
A 2013 graduate from Albany, Plungas played linebacker for the Great Danes from 2008 to 2012. He totaled 246 tackles in 43 games in his career. Plungas helped Albany win three Northeast Conference Championships (2008, 2011, 2012) and earn the program's first NCAA FCS Playoffs in 2011. Prior to his return to Albany, Plungas spent two seasons at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2013-14). There, he coached the linebackers and helped the Engineers make an appearance in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl Game in 2014.
- [1:31] Start of interview
- [1:44] Journey into the coaching profession
- [5:25] Advice to young coaches looking to get into the profession
- [9:25] Coaching at your alma mater
- [14:54] The transition to a coordinator role
- [17:23] Unique defensive philosophy
- [25:55] Managing a relationship as a Coach's husband