Raymond P. Priore (born 1963) is an American college football coach. He is the head football coach at the University of Pennsylvania, having succeeded Al Bagnoli following the conclusion of the 2014 season.

Ray Priore
Priore in 2024
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamPenn
ConferenceIvy League
Record47–32
Biographical details
Born1963 (age 60–61)
Long Beach, New York, U.S.
Alma materSUNY Albany
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1985–1986Albany (DB)
1987–1989Penn (LB)
1991–1994Penn (DE)
1995–1997Penn (DE/ST)
1998–2005Penn (DC)
2006–2014Penn (AHC/DC)
2015–presentPenn
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1992–2005Penn (RC)
Head coaching record
Overall47–32
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 Ivy League (2015, 2016)
Awards
Ivy League Coach of the Year (2015)

Coaching career

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Early years

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Priore received his master's degree from Albany University in 1986 and began his tenure at Penn as an assistant linebackers coach the following year. Priore coached a variety of positions before becoming the defensive coordinator in 1998. After 20 years in the program, he became an assistant head coach in 2006.

As the defensive coordinator, Priore led the Quakers to several historic defensive accomplishments. For three consecutive seasons, Penn boasted best rushing and scoring defensive in the Ivy League (2008–2010). Additionally, the program finished in the top five for overall defense (FCS) in 2002, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Between 2005 and 2015, 35 members of Priore's secondaries were named 1st team All-Ivy including NFL draftees Jake Lewko and Brandon Copeland.

In 2014, longtime head coach Al Bagnoli resigned following a 2–8 campaign and the university subsequently named Priore as the 22nd head coach of Penn football. Bagnoli is recognized as the all-time winningest coach in Penn football history.[1]

In his 28 seasons as an assistant, Priore helped the Quakers to ten Ivy League championships.[1]

Head coaching

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2015

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On December 1, 2014, Priore became head coach of Penn after 28 seasons as an assistant in the program. Prior to the announcement, Priore had spent 16 years as defensive coordinator for the Quakers.[2]

The Quakers were predicted to finish sixth in their conference.[3] However, in his first year at the helm, coach Priore led his team to a 7-3 overall record and their first Ivy League championship since 2012. His inaugural season was highlighted by wins over #5 Villanova and #12 Harvard.

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Penn Quakers (Ivy League) (2015–present)
2015 Penn 7–3 6–1 T–1st
2016 Penn 7–3 6–1 T–1st
2017 Penn 6–4 4–3 4th
2018 Penn 6–4 3–4 T–4th
2019 Penn 5–5 3–4 T–4th
2020–21 No team—COVID-19
2021 Penn 3–7 1–6 T–6th
2022 Penn 8–2 5–2 T-2nd
2023 Penn 6–4 3–4 T–5th
2024 Penn 0–0 0–0
Penn: 47–32 30–25
Total: 47–32
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ray Priore Biography - PennAthletics.com—The Official Website of University of Pennsylvania Athletics". Pennathletics.com. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  2. ^ "Bagnoli to step down as Penn football coach after 2014 season - philly-archives". Articles.philly.com. April 24, 2014. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  3. ^ "Ray Priore eager to put his mark on Penn football - philly-archives". Articles.philly.com. September 18, 2015. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
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