TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton has announced the hiring of Brian Surace to assume the duties of offensive coordinator, beginning in the fall of 2010. He worked as both the offensive line coach and then offensive coordinator at Rensselaer from 1999 to 2004 and will once again serve under head coach Joe King, who is entering his 22nd year at the helm of the Engineers.

“I'm really excited to be back at RPI, and to be a part of the football family,” said Surace. “The extraordinary changes that have been made to the facilities are a credit to Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson and the cabinet's commitment to Rensselaer Athletics.”

Surace, a native Millville, N.J., comes to Rensselaer after spending the last six years as the offensive line/coordinator at Northeastern University. The Huskies ranked 20th nationally in rushing yards per game (91.0) in 2009 had the Colonial Athletic Conferences leading rusher, who carried for 1,009 yards. Two of his lineman were named All-Conference Second Team.

“We're thrilled to have Brian back. He did a great job for the five years he was here and his experience at Northeastern has made him an even better coach,” King remarked, adding, “We're looking for him to do some great things, this fall, with our offense.”

Prior to his first stint at Rensselaer, Surace worked as an intern at King's College (1995-96). He later served in graduate assistant positions at Springfield College (1996-97) and Rutgers University (1997-98), before landing at RPI in the fall of 1999.

In his first year with the Engineers, Surace helped the team to a 9-1 record and an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) Championship. Serving as both the offensive coordinator and line coach in 2001, Rensselaer won the UCAA with an 8-1 mark and earned the first seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament.

As offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and wide receivers coach in 2003, the Engineers had one of their most successful seasons in school history, going 11-2 and advancing to the NCAA Semifinals. That year, Surace was named the American Football Magazine Offensive Assistant Coach of the Year.

A 1999 graduate of Gettysburg College with Bachelor's degree in Management, Surace went on to earn a Masters degree in Physical Education from Springfield College.

Transaction: RPI – Brian Surace named the offensive coordinator in football.