Rhodes announced today the selection of Dan Gritti as head football coach. Gritti comes to Rhodes from the University of Chicago, where he served the past two seasons as the defensive line/linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. Chicago finished the season at 8-2 and won the University Athletic Association title.

Gritti replaces Joe White, who compiled a 64-71 record in 14 seasons.

“The moment I stepped on campus I knew what a special place Rhodes is,” said Gritti. “I am excited about building a championship football team at a school with such high academic standards. I look forward to meeting the football players and letting them know how excited I am to lead this program.”

With the assistance of Gritti, Chicago ranked in the top 10 in the country in several defensive and special teams categories. The Chicago defense ranked third in Division III in sacks and tackles for loss. They tied the NCAA Division III record for most punts blocked for touchdowns in a season.

Prior to being on the staff at Chicago, Gritti served as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Middlebury in Vermont from 2005-08. Middlebury's 2007 team won the NESCAC league championship and their defense ranked No. 3 statistically in Division III.

While a student at Vanderbilt, Gritti served as a student assistant with the Commodore football program. He graduated from Vanderbilt in 1995, then earned his law degree from Wisconsin in 1998. Gritti practiced for six years at the prestigious Littler Mendelson firm in New York City.

In 2003 Gritti decided to forego his career as a lawyer and pursue his dream of being a college football coach. He reconnected with Gerry DiNardo at Indiana, who was the head football coach at Vanderbilt when Dan served as a student assistant. Gritti served for two years as a graduate assistant at Indiana.  

"Dan Gritti brings unique qualities to Rhodes College and the Lynx football program," said Rhodes athletic director Mike Clary. "Beyond being an excellent football coach, Dan has lived and breathed the joys and rigors of being a Dean's List undergraduate and law student. We're also very excited about his interest and abilities to engage our alumni, parents, faculty and staff to provide the best academic and co-curricular opportunity for our football team."