East Stroudsburg University Athletics

Bob Forgrave, a 30-year veteran of the coaching profession, completed his second season as assistant coach at East Stroudsburg University in 2013. He served as defensive coordinator after coaching the defensive backs in 2012.

ESU had one of the most improved units in Division II in 2013. The Warriors improved 72 spots in the DII rankings in scoring defense (25.5 ppg), 82 spots in total defense (373.1 ypg) and 102 spots in pass efficiency defense (118.1 rating).

The 2013 Warriors had two All-PSAC East selections in first team defensive tackle Bryan Thomson and second team linebacker Cody Simcox, who both enter their senior years in 2014. Thomson was an All-American and the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2012.

Forgrave came to ESU from St. Norbert College (Wisc.), where he was coordinator for a defense that ranked fourth in Division III in rushing (76.3 yards per game) and was in the top 25 in points allowed (16.1 per game) during the 2011 season. He helped the Green Knights to a 7-3 record and coached five first team All-Midwest Conference selections.

He was previously head coach at two Lancaster-area high schools, Penn Manor (2005-06) and Hempfield (2007-10). He led Penn Manor to its first-ever District playoff appearance in 2006 and took Hempfield to the District playoffs in 2008.

Forgrave was defensive coordinator and associate head coach at Millersville for four seasons (1993-96), helping the Marauders compile a record of 31-9-1 and reaching the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 1995.

A 1977 graduate of Muskingum (Ohio), where he was a three-year participant at linebacker, guard and nose guard, Forgrave began his coaching career as the defensive coordinator at River View High School in Warsaw, Ohio from 1977-81.

He then coached at Penn State for three seasons (linebackers, special teams and strength and conditioning) while earning a Master’s degree in Physical Education and Sport Administration in 1986.

He was head coach at Ringgold High School, in the highly-competitive WPIAL, in 1985 and coached tight ends and the offensive line at Rutgers in 1986.

Forgrave coached tight ends and the offensive line at Army in 1987-88 and guided the JV program to two undefeated seasons, going 17-0 for the school’s best-ever mark.

He was co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at VMI from 1989-92 before moving on to Millersville. He was also an assistant coach at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Fla. in 2000.

Forgrave, whose undergraduate degree is in Health and Physical Education, also has 22 years of teaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels.