DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire Director of Athletics Allison Rich announced Monday that, following a national search, former Wildcat quarterback Sean Goldrich ’15 has been appointed the 21st UNH Head Football Coach. Goldrich will be formally introduced in a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 6 (Time TBA) in the Service Credit Union Victory Club at Wildcat Stadium.
“Following a national search with an extremely competitive field of finalists, it is my pleasure to name Sean Goldrich our new UNH Head Football Coach,” Rich said. “While I knew of Sean’s accolades as a student-athlete and the great Wildcat teams he led, through this process I have learned about Sean Goldrich the coach and the person. He is a rising star, and his passion, vision, and care for his players, along with a deep understanding and appreciation of what it means to be a Wildcat for Life, make him the right leader to honor this program’s tradition of excellence while driving us toward even greater achievements.”
“I am so grateful to Defensive Coordinator and Interim Head Coach Scott James for his leadership and stewardship of both our program and our incredible student-athletes during this time of transition,” Rich added.
As a four-year starting quarterback, Goldrich led UNH to a pair of CAA Football championships and four NCAA tournament appearances, including two national semifinals, from 2012-15. He amassed more than 7,500 yards passing and 1,100 yards rushing as well as 67 total touchdowns while helping lead the program to its best four-year win total (37) and winning percentage (69.8%) in its 130-season history.
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead this football program,” Goldrich said. “The University of New Hampshire is special to me. This place has shaped me as a player and as a person. I am beyond grateful to come back home and contribute to building championship-level football. I want to thank President Chilton, Director of Athletics Allison Rich, Coach Mac and the entire interview committee for putting their trust in me. I know how special UNH is and I’m going to give everything I have to ensure our continued success.”
Goldrich, a native of West Haven, Conn., brings eight years of collegiate coaching experience to Durham. Most recently, he was the quarterbacks coach, pass game coordinator and the head recruiting coordinator at the University of Delaware. Working under Head Coach Ryan Carty, who was Goldrich’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNH, Delaware successfully transitioned to FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) and won its inaugural bowl game earlier this month. Goldrich also spent three years on the Yale University coaching staff and one season at the University of New England.
“Sean’s journey comes full circle at New Hampshire, and I couldn’t be prouder,” said Carty, who spent 11 seasons (2007-17) on the UNH coaching staff. “He earned this opportunity through his work ethic, football acumen, and the way he connects with players. I’ve had the privilege of coaching him as a player and working alongside him as a coach, and he’s prepared for this opportunity. Sean knows what New Hampshire football means, and he’s ready to lead the program with authenticity, toughness, and vision. UNH should be excited for this next chapter.”
“Sean was one of the smartest and most competitive players that I ever coached here at UNH,” said Sean McDonnell ’79, 23-year UNH Head Football Coach and member of the interview committee. “Combine that with the toughness that he showed in all aspects of our program, and I am excited to see him carry on the tradition and culture of our team. His leadership style will create energy and excitement for our Wildcat fans. As a player, he never took anything for granted, and that mentality has served him well in his coaching career. It has been rewarding to see him mature in all the areas that have prepared him for this important job. He’s ‘one of us,’ and I know he will do a great job leading this football program.”
DHR Global, one of Forbes America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms (2017-2025), coordinated the national coaching search. The appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
Under Goldrich’s direction, UNH will kick off the 2026 season Aug. 28 at UAlbany. The Wildcats’ home opener is Sept. 12 vs. Stonehill College and Homecoming is Oct. 3 vs. Elon University.
Season tickets for the 2026 UNH football season are on sale now and start as low as $132 per season – that is an average of $22 per game. Renewals are open for current season ticket members.
Ticket options for groups of 20 or more are available by completing an online interest form. Single-game tickets and parking will go on sale Monday, June 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at www.unhwildcats.com/buytickets.
For additional questions about UNH football tickets, please reach out to the UNH ticket office at 603-862-4000 or send an email to [email protected].
About UNH Athletics
UNH Athletics is committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and fostering NCAA Division I teams that are a source of pride for the University community, the State of New Hampshire, and UNH alumni worldwide. UNH Athletics creates and sustains a culture of Competitive Excellence, Leadership and Service, Engagement, Academic Success, and Respect, Integrity, and Inclusion. UNH Athletics is dedicated to supporting an environment in which student-athletes can thrive—competing for conference and national championships, pursuing their academic, athletic, and personal goals, and becoming Wildcats for Life.
UNH ALL-TIME HEAD FOOTBALL COACHES
- Sean Goldrich 2026-
- Rick Santos 2022-2025
- Sean McDonnell 1999-2021
- Bill Bowes 1972-1998
- Jim Root 1968-1971
- Joe Yukica 1966-1967
- Andy Mooradian 1965
- Chief Boston 1949-1964
- Bill Glassford 1946-1948
- Herbert Snow 1944
- Charlie Justice 1942
- George Sauer 1937-1941
- William Cowell 1915-1936
- T.D. Sheppard 1914
- Tod Eberle 1912-1913
- Ray B. Thomas 1910-1911
- Willard Gildersleeve 1909
- Charles Gill 1908
- Edward Herr 1906-1907
- G.B. Ward 1904
- John Scannell 1902-1903
SEAN GOLDRICH FILE
- Graduated from UNH in December 2015 with a B.A. in Communication; ranked No. 5 in career passing yards (7,536), passing touchdowns (47), and attempts (1,068), and No. 3 in completions (654).
- As a senior captain and team MVP, threw for 1,867 yards, with nine passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in nine games, helping UNH reach its 12th straight NCAA postseason.
- Led UNH to a historic 12‑win season in 2014, including program records for 12 consecutive wins and 12 total wins, an 8‑0 CAA championship season, the NCAA No. 1 tournament seed, and a No. 3 final national ranking.
- Posted his best single-season statistics in 2014 with 2,391 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, and nine rushing touchdowns in nine starts.
- In 2013, appeared in 14 of 15 games with eight starts, throwing for 2,076 yards and 14 touchdowns with six rushing touchdowns, helping UNH reach its first-ever FCS semifinal.
- Became the first freshman quarterback in program history to start a season opener (Aug. 30, 2012); finished that season with 1,202 passing yards and eight touchdowns as UNH earned a share of the CAA title and reached the NCAA quarterfinals.
- Participated in NFL training camps with the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears before playing professionally in the Indoor Football League (2017–18).
- Served as an Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers) at the University of New England in 2018; previously co‑Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Notre Dame High School (Conn.) from 2016–17.
- Later spent coaching stints at Yale for three seasons and Delaware for four.
- Is the third consecutive UNH alum to become Head Coach, following Sean McDonnell ’79 (157 wins in 23 seasons) and Rick Santos ’08 (37 wins in five seasons, including one as interim Head Coach).
Sean Goldrich: Year-by-Year
at Delaware
2025 (7-6, 4-4 Conference USA) 68 Ventures Bowl
2024 (9-2, 6-2 CAA)
2023 (9-4, 6-2 CAA) NCAA second round
2022 (8-5, 4-4 CAA)
Total (33-17, 20-12)
at Yale
2021 (5-5, 4-3 Ivy)
2020 cancelled [COVID]
2019 (9-1, 6-1 Ivy)
Total (14-6, 10-4 Ivy)
at U. of New England
2018 (2-7, 1-5 Commonwealth Coast Conference)
UNH QB
2015 (7-5, 5-3 CAA) NCAA first round
2014 (12-2, 8-0 CAA) CAA champions … NCAA semifinals
2013 (10-5, 6-2 CAA) NCAA semifinals
2012 (8-4, 6-2, CAA) CAA co-champions … NCAA quarterfinals
Total (37-16, 25-7 CAA)
GP Com Att Yds TDs Rush Yds TDs
2015 9 201 329 1,867 9 65 210 3
2014 9 188 295 2,391 16 88 311 9
2013 14 158 264 2,076 14 134 417 6
2012 9 107 180 1,202 8 48 174 2
Total 41 654 1,068 7,536 47 335 1,112 20
