COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Canton Grad Ryan Larcom To Coach At Mansfield Univ. (2012-06-27)
CanTroSports
Former Towanda offensive coordinator Ryan Larcom, a Canton High School graduate, has accepted a coaching position with the Mansfield University Sprint Football team. Larcom, who spent twelve years running the Black Knight's offense, will be an offensive assistant for the Mounties, coaching the tight ends.
Prior to his stint at Towanda, Larcom was the Head Coach at Cowanesque Valley for three years and an assistant with the Indians for one season. He also spent one very successful season as the Head Coach of the semi-professional Northern Tier Bruins.
Larcom's time at Towanda resulted in an amazing NTL record of 81-9, including seven NTL Championships in the last ten years. While in charge of the offense, Larcom has produced some of the area's best season performances. He has coached twelve 1,000 yard rushers, five 1,000 yard passers and the only two quarterbacks in the NTL to throw and run for 1,000 yards in the same season.
One of those 1,000 yard rushers, Towanda and Syracuse grad Adam Harris, is certain that Mansfield has just gained a valuable asset.
"Coach Larcom is a winner, no matter what he does. In football, wrestling, softball and now sprint football, he will be successful."
Like Harris, who made the successful jump from high school football to Division I college football, several other former players have been aided by Larcom in their pursuit to continue their playing careers.
It's a role that Larcom took very seriously while at Towanda, spending countless hours preparing the athletes for the transition, but many more making sure that those athletes would get the opportunity. From compiling highlight films to being in contact with college coaches, Larcom knows the benefits of participating in a sport at college can have a strong influence on a student athlete's life.
"For some kids, playing football gives them a chance to be better students. Being a part of a team makes the acclimation to college much smoother for some students as well."
Larcom's efforts to help young men continue their playing careers not only benefitted the players, but also helped the entire league.
"The more kids we had playing college football meant more recognition for our team, and the whole NTL, which can obviously use the exposure."
In addition to Harris, other Black Knights who Larcom has had a direct influence on getting into the college ranks include: Brad Lantz (Millersville), Mike Chatburn (Lock Haven), Scott Davenport (Westminster), Ryan Maghamez (Wilkes), Ricky Ausem (Lycoming), Jake Lamphere (Lycoming), Cody Miller (Susquehanna) and Matt Ogden (Lycoming).
Larcom's success at the high school level will translate to the college game, and he is obviously excited for the opportunity.
"I'm looking forward to all of the aspects of coaching college football, to be a part of this staff."
The Mountie staff includes recently named head coach Graham Johnsen, the second head coach in Mansfield's short Sprint football history.
While Larcom is confident in his coaching ability, he is quick to point out an early realization from the preliminary meetings he has had so far, saying, "I'm really excited for the opportunity to learn from these guys."
While coaching in college has always been in the back of his mind, Larcom wasn't sure if he'd ever get the opportunity. Missing out on the chance to become Towanda’s Head Coach provided just that.
”I really thought I deserved the job. They didn’t agree, so I decided to look for a new challenge.”
Larcom’s former player, Harris, knows that Larcom’s skills and knowledge will be appreciated at the college level.
”Coach’s attention to detail and commitment on and off of the field is unmatched, even at the Division I level. Coach Larcom is easily the best overall coach I have ever had the honor of playing for.”
A new group of players, including former Black Knight wide receiver Casey Huff, as well as former Canton wideout Corey Peterson, will now have the chance to learn from Larcom. Harris has some advice for Larcom’s new players, saying, “He will never baby one of his guys, but, he will always go to war for one of his guys.”
The Mansfield University Sprint Football team will open their season on September 14 when they visit Princeton University for a 7pm game.
For a look at what exactly Sprint Football entails, check out the Mansfield University site HERE.
.jpg)
