Charlottesville, VA – Long time defensive coordinator and assistant coach Rick Lantz passed away early Sunday morning. Coach Lantz was regarded as an aggressive, attacking and innovative defensive play caller during his 40-plus years as a coach. He was known as a great teacher who connected with his players, putting them in position to succeed on and off the field.
He coached at some of the most prestigious programs in all of college football. Some of his more successful stints were at Miami, Navy, Louisville and Virginia. He developed a reputation as a coach who could help build a championship program from the ground up.
While he genuinely enjoyed all of his coaching stops, his two stints at the U.S. Naval Academy (1971-1976, 2001) always held a special place in his heart. Having served four years in the United States Marine Corps, Coach Lantz had the privilege of serving as the interim head coach for Navy during the last three games of the 2001 season. His first game as head coach was vs Tulane on the 226th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Along with his extensive career in college football, Coach Lantz also coached in the NFL with the New England Patriots (1981) as well as NFL Europe from 2003-2007. In 2004, Coach Lantz was named head coach of the Berlin Thunder. Under his guidance, the Thunder captured the 2004 World Bowl Championship. He followed it up in 2005 by returning to the World Bowl, falling to the Amsterdam Admirals.
Coach Lantz was a proud alumnus and football letter winner at Central Connecticut State University. He was elected to the CCSU Athletic Hall of Fame in May of 1999. A native of New Britain, CT., he is also a member of the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame.
