Bobby Acosta

Widener University Athletics

Official Website of

Title

Head Football Coach (Off. Coord., inside WR)
Email

bacosta@widener.edu
Phone

610-499-4444

Bobby Acosta walked onto Widener’s campus in February 2013 with an approach, a likeability and an appreciation of those around him that immediately had people rooting for him even if they just met. It is through this care that has made him approachable by his players, translated into wins during his first season and has eternal room for optimism that Widener Football will continue to be among the nation’s elite.

Acosta’s first year saw the Pride end 6-4, making him the University’s first coach since Bill Zwaan in 1997 to have a winning campaign in his initial season. The Pride had 11 players named to the All-MAC teams, competed for an NCAA Tournament berth on the last day of the regular season and stood toe-to-toe with third-ranked Wesley on opening night.

Widener’s offense in 2013 exploded with Seth Klein setting a new Middle Atlantic Conference record with 285 completions, including 40 against Lebanon Valley for a new league mark. All-America Anthony Davis easily broke the school record with 91 receptions and amassed seven 100-yard games that year. The Pride also threw for 2,919 yards and 17 touchdowns under the squad’s new explosive offense.

Widener also has been involved in the community through the cleanup of Sun Hill, guiding the youth football players of Delaware County, participated in the Stester Elementary Pep Rally to help motivate students to do well in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), joined forces with City Year to help clean up the Wyoming Branch of the Free Public Library in North Philadelphia, participated in Read Across America Day at Stetser Elementary School

The Pride that year also had 12 players named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll.

Acosta arrives after five seasons at The College of New Jersey, where he was the offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach and tight ends coach. He was responsible for molding one of the area’s top offenses, served as the team’s academic advisor, was its strength and conditioning coach and oversaw video editing.

The Lions’ offense flourished under Acosta, especially in 2011 when it went 7-3 and recorded a 27-21 win over No. 6 Montclair State. That squad ended the season averaging 185.5 passing yards per game, 176.7 rushing yards per contest and 24.6 points per game.

Acosta’s influence helped Justin Doniloski to be named Honorable Mention All-New Jersey Athletic Conference last season after gaining 1,293 yards of total offense. In 2009, TCNJ averaged 208.7 passing yards and 164.3 rushing yards on the ground with quarterback Chris James throwing for 5,871 yards.

Acosta’s work at TCNJ was not limited to football. He also helped secure corporate sponsorships for the athletics department, was a site liaison at many home events, worked with the Alumni Affairs Office on numerous events, served as facility coordinator for the Fitness Center, was a campus disciplinary board member and coordinator of the school’s community outreach program that included the Special Olympics.

Acosta also spent two seasons as the tight ends coach with the University of Delaware from 2007-08 as part of a staff that helped develop eventual Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco. He was also the academic advisor for the team which played for the 2007 NCAA FCS national championship and was selected as the ECAC Team of the Year.

In the summer of 2010, Acosta worked in preseason camp with the Cleveland Browns as part of a program mentoring and offering professional development to college coaches. He also was part of a coaching internship with the New York Jets in 2008 and has worked camps with both the Jets and Lafayette College.

Acosta also served as the defensive backs coach at Rowan University and the head coach at both Monmouth Regional High School and Marlboro High School.

Acosta is a 1999 graduate of Rowan and helped the squad compete in the Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Division III championship game.