Bucknell University Athletics
Cecchini Announces Bucknell Football Coaching Staff Hires
2/22/2023 2:57:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Head Bucknell football coach Dave Cecchini announced on Wednesday the additions of Sean Pearson, Braelon Roberts and Pat Clark to the coaching staff.
In addition, Vinny Giacalone has been promoted to assistant head coach and will oversee the tight ends position group. Giacalone was previously serving as the team's offensive line coach and has filled the role of director of operations since arriving at Bucknell in 2019. Giacalone also spent five seasons on Cecchini's staff at Valparaiso.
John Bear was named Bucknell's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in January.
Bucknell will enter its fifth season under Cecchini in the fall of 2023. He was named the Patriot League Dick Biddle Coach of the Year during the 2021 spring campaign for leading the Bison to a spot in the Patriot League Championship game.
The Bison have landed 14 players on the All-Patriot League Team over the past two seasons, including returning three-year starter Ethan Pitzel. Additionally, Bucknell has had nine Academic All-Patriot League honorees under Cecchini.
Braelon Roberts
Wide Receivers Coach
Roberts, who spent time as a player with the Oakland Raiders and is a former standout wide receiver from Utah State, will serve as Bucknell's wide receivers coach.
"We are excited to see what Braelon will do with our wide receiver room. He brings a lot of energy and passion with him to Bucknell," Cecchini said.
Roberts arrives at Bucknell after spending last year as a graduate assistant coach at Fresno State, where he worked with the receivers and helped guide the Bulldogs to a 10-4 record as well as a Mountain West Conference Championship. In the role, Roberts was responsible for inside and outside receiver development, film breakdown, and creating practice drills.
Roberts assisted in the coaching of First Team All-Mountain West receiver Jalen Cropper and Second Team All-Mountain West receiver Nikko Remigio.
With Roberts on staff, the Bulldogs ranked first in the conference in total offense en route to a 2022 LA Bowl title.
Prior to Fresno State, Roberts was the wide receivers position coach at Central Washington in 2021 and Black Hills State University in 2020. While at Central Washington, he coached Darius Morrison to a 2021 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year award, as the receiver finished with a team-leading 609 yards and eight touchdowns.
As a player, Roberts was a three-year starter and served as team captain at Utah State. He appeared in 42 career games for the Aggies. Roberts graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 2017 and later earned a master's of education in curriculum and instruction from Fresno State.
Sean Pearson
Offensive Line Coach
Pearson brings both Patriot League and FBS coaching experience to Bucknell, having spent the past two seasons as the offensive line coach at Lehigh and having spent six years working with a pair of FBS football programs.
"Sean has a lot of insight into developing successful offensive linemen in the Patriot League. He is an outstanding motivator and technician," Cecchini said.
Pearson was responsible for overseeing the Mountain Hawks' run game plan as well as situational short yardage and goal line plans. He helped Lehigh improve its yards-per-carry average from 1.39 in 2020 to 3.95 in 2022.
Pearson also coached 2021 Second Team All-Patriot League offensive lineman Justin Gurth as well as two true freshmen starters at left tackle and right guard in 2022.
Prior to his arrival at Lehigh, Pearson served as a graduate assistant offensive line and tight ends coach in the Big Ten at Northwestern for three seasons. With Pearson on staff, the Wildcats posted two undefeated seasons in the B1G West Division, two Big Ten Championship game appearances, and victories in the 2021 Citrus Bowl and the 2018 Holiday Bowl.
Pearson helped oversee the development of Rashawn Slater, the 13th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and 2019 undrafted free agent Blake Hance. He also helped prepare true freshman Peter Skoronski, who went on to earn Second Team All-Big Ten honors before becoming a freshman All-America at left tackle for the Wildcats.
Pearson spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Western Michigan, having previously served as an offensive quality control coach and strength and conditioning coach for the Broncos in 2015.
During his tenure, Western Michigan made an appearance in the Cotton Bowl following a 13-0 regular season and a MAC championship. He was a member of an offensive staff that led a top-10 nationally-ranked offense and a top-25 rushing attack in 2017.
As a player, Pearson was a three-year letterwinner at Wagner College after transferring from Temple. As a starter on the offensive line, Pearson helped the Seahawks to a Northeast Conference title and a win in the FCS playoffs.
Pearson graduated from Wagner with a bachelor's degree in business management in 2014 and later achieved a master's in sport management from Western Michigan in 2018, as well as a master's in sports administration in 2020.
Pat Clark
Defensive Backs Coach
Clark, who will serve as Bucknell's defensive backs coach, joins the Bison with a wide array of coaching ability and versatility. He's worked at prestigious institutions spanning multiple levels and brings valuable knowledge as a succesful player himself.
"Pat Brings a wealth of experience with him to Bucknell. He has been a head coach, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. He will help our defensive backs reach their fullest potential," said Cecchini.
Most recently, Clark coached cornerbacks at Catawba College and was given the title of special teams coordinator in 2022. Before that, he served as the defensive backs coach at Webber International University. While at Webber, Clark coached All-Conference free safety Trent Peacock.
Clark spent five years as an assistant head coach at Sandalwood High School – a major powerhouse in Jacksonville, Fla. During his time at Sandalwood, where he served as defensive coordinator, the program produced numerous college football signees, including four FBS signees and three Power 5 players. He also coached NFL cornerback Chris Jones.
Clark's defenses at Sandalwood consistently ranked at or near the top of the Gateway Conference.
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Clark lettered four years in football at Georgia Tech, playing both wide receiver and defensive back. He'd also later serve as an interim coach on the staff, working on scouts, film and play study.
After leaving Georgia Tech, Clark made several stops in the Arena Football League, where he played wide receiver and defensive back.
Clark, a native of Jacksonville, graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor's degree in business management and earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of South Florida in 2018.
