Jared Ambrose was named the University at Albany Interim Head Football Coach on March 4, 2025.
Ambrose takes over the football program after serving as the team’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach since 2022. He was elevated to Associate Head Coach ahead of the 2023 season.
“Jared has a proven track record of success throughout his coaching career, especially within the CAA,” said Director of Athletics Mark Benson. “He’s helped lead three different programs to deep playoff runs and was an integral asset to this team’s success in 2023. We are confident that he is the right person to lead the UAlbany football program this upcoming year.”
Ambrose has been a staple in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), where he has helped lead three different teams to the FCS National Semifinals, including one run to the FCS National Championship Game.
“I’m humbled and grateful to be in this position to accept this station as the Interim Head Coach of the University at Albany Great Dane football program,” said Ambrose. “I’d like to thank President Havidán Rodríguez and Athletic Director Mark Benson for entrusting this honor to me. I promise to spend every working minute of being your head coach to make sure everything that we do is intentional, focused, organized and with passion.”
Ambrose Added “It should go noticed and understood that everything I’ve been able to do in my career thus far is because I have an amazing family by my side. My wife Ashley and our children Evie, Sawyer and Jace are the most substantial influences in my life, and they have always and will continue to be my purpose.”
The UAlbany offense flourished under Ambrose in 2023 en route to the program’s first-ever FCS National Semifinal appearance and first-ever CAA title. Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger finished as one of the top players in the nation, leading the country with 3,603 passing yards and 246 points responsible for. Wideout Brevin Easton finished fourth in the FCS with 1,086 receiving yards and third with 13 receiving touchdowns. Not far behind, wideout Julian Hicks finished fourth in receiving touchdowns with 11 while picking up 820 yards through the air. On the ground, rookie running back Griffin Woodell claimed the CAA Rookie of the Year award after a stellar season in which the freshman ran for 892 yards and eight touchdowns, adding another four through the air. In total, the UAlbany offense accounted for 5,524 total yards and 52 touchdowns, finishing as one of the most lethal units in the CAA in a record-breaking year.
In his first year with the team during the 2022 season, Ambrose elevated the offense to new heights. He played a key role in developing redshirt freshman quarterback Reese Poffenbarger. In just their first year together, Poffenbarger compiled a list of accolades including being named the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, an All-CAA Third Team selection, the ECAC Division I FCS Rookie of the Year, the 2022 Jerry Rice Award Runner-Up, and a HERO Sports All-American. Poffenbarger thrived in Ambrose’s offense, breaking the UAlbany single-game passing record in just his third game – throwing for 412 yards on the road against Fordham. Tight End Thomas Greaney saw his most productive season in Ambrose’s offense as well, hauling in 50 receptions for 693 yards to lead all tight ends in the conference and garner an All-CAA First Team selection. The UAlbany offense finished the season ranking sixth overall in the conference, averaging 29.6 points per game.
Ambrose came to UAlbany after spending the previous three years as the offensive coordinator for the University of Delaware. While with the Blue Hens, his offensive unit produced record-setting numbers on its way to a CAA Championship and FCS Semifinal appearance in 2020-21. Running back Dejoun Lee was selected as the CAA Offensive Player of the Year, the third that Ambrose has coached, and quarterback Nolan Henderson was one of the nation's most-efficient passers. Ambrose’s offense that year ranked fifth in the nation and first in the CAA in time of possession.
Before joining Delaware for the second time, Ambrose spent 10 seasons as part of the staff at Towson University, including seven seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator. During his time with the Tigers, he was a part of three FCS Playoff appearances, including a run to the 2013 National Championship game.
During Ambrose’s first stint with Delaware, he worked with the offense, which was led by All-American and Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco. His coaching career began with a three-year stint as a student assistant coach at NCAA II Shepherd, helping lead the team to a 29-5 record and three straight undefeated West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships.
He and his wife, Ashley, have three children: Evie, Sawyer and Jace.
