Colgate hires D-III national title coach, CNY native to lead football program

HAMILTON, N.Y. — Colgate University has hired SUNY Cortland football coach Curt Fitzpatrick as the 31st head coach in the history of the Raiders football program. Fitzpatrick, a Fulton native, coached the Red Dragons to a 45-5 record in four seasons, including the 2023 Division III national championship. Fitzpatrick was named the 2023 Division III National Coach of the Year. He also guided the Red Dragons to four consecutive Empire 8 titles. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Fitzpatrick and his family to Colgate,” Yariv Amir, VP and director of athletics at Colgate University, said in the Division I, FCS level school’s announcement on Saturday. “Curt has demonstrated a commitment to pursuing excellence, and developing student-athletes with character and integrity that align with the mission of our University. We are confident in the future of Colgate Football as we look forward to working with Coach Fitzpatrick and his staff.” Fitzpatrick succeeds Stan Dakosty as head football coach. Amir on Dec. 2 had announced Colgate would make a football coaching change after the Raiders went 2-10 in the 2024 season. “Coach Dakosty has been a true steward of Colgate University during his 20-plus years at this institution as a student-athlete and coach,” Amir said. “He led our storied program with hard work, professionalism, and dedication. We are grateful to Stan and his family for their contributions to our University and community, and we wish them the very best moving forward.” Dakosty spent 17 years on the Colgate football coaching staff, starting as the tight ends coach in 2007 after a four-year career in the maroon and white. He took part in seven of Colgate’s 10 Patriot League titles and every FCS playoff win, either as a coach or a player. Dakosty was named the head coach in 2021.