Joe Susan is in his ninth season as a member of the Scarlet Knights' coaching staff. He was named Recruiting Coordinator in February, 2004, and has served as tight ends coach since the 2003 season. He has served on the Rutgers staff since head coach Greg Schiano took over the program prior to the 2001 season.
Susan has nearly 30 years of experience in the collegiate ranks, with stints as a head coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and tight ends coach. As recruiting coordinator, he has been integral in securing several highly-touted and nationally-ranked recruiting classes, including the 2009 group which was ranked in the Top 25 nationally by ESPN.com.
Susan has directed a deep corps of tight ends that included former three-time All-BIG EAST selection Clark Harris, a seventh-round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers. Harris was a three-time John Mackey Award candidate as the nation's top tight end from 2004-06 and holds the third-longest streak for consecutive games with a reception in BIG EAST history (38-straight games).
A native of South River, N.J., Susan returned to his New Jersey roots to join the Rutgers staff in 2001 after a memorable 2000 campaign, when he served as head coach at Davidson and led the Wildcats to a 10-0 record, the only unbeaten team in school history and a single-season record for wins. That year, the Division I-AA Independents Sports Information Directors Association named him Coach of the Year. In 2000, Susan received a Presidential Citation from the University of Delaware for outstanding achievement.
Prior to the undefeated season at Davidson, Susan spent nine years as offensive coordinator at Princeton (1991-99). He also served briefly as offensive line coach at Memphis, before accepting the challenge to become the head coach at Davidson.
Susan was offensive line coach at Bucknell from 1981-88, when he took on the added responsibility as associate head coach for two seasons with the Bison. During his tenure at Bucknell, he recruited Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano to play for the Bison. Susan also recruited offensive lineman Jay Butler, who is presently the Scarlet Knights' Assistant Director for Strength and Conditioning.
Susan enjoyed an outstanding playing career at Delaware (1973-76), as his teams compiled a 36-12-1 record in his tenure there. During his sophomore season, the Blue Hens were the NCAA Division II national runner-up.
Susan began his career in coaching in 1978 at Delaware, as a graduate assistant. After a year as an assistant at Gettysburg, he returned to his alma mater for one season.
Susan and his wife, Cynthia, are the parents of one son, Matthew, and daughters Jessica and Julia.
