Villanova promotes Crocker to defensive coordinator

Jan 27, 2012 - 3:28 PM Villanova, PA (Sports Network) - Villanova head football coach Andy Talley announced Friday the promotion of Billy Crocker from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator.

Talley also announced the hiring of Roc Bellantoni as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator, and Tony Trisciani as the new secondary coach.

Crocker has been on Villanova's staff for seven seasons. He served as the defensive line coach for six years and was elevated to linebackers coach and special teams coordinator in 2011.

Crocker replaces Mark Reardon as defensive coordinator. Reardon left Villanova in December to become the head coach at St. Augustine Prep in New Jersey.

Bellantoni joins the Wildcats staff from Eastern Illinois, where he was an assistant from 2001-2011, including as the defensive coordinator (2002-2011) and the associate head coach (2007-2011).

Trisciani spent the last five years as head coach at Whitehall High School in Whitehall, Pa.