By Andy Walter

NEWARK — The University of Delaware made it official this morning, announcing that Ryan Carty will be its next head football coach.

The former Blue Hen quarterback is still the offensive coordinator at Sam Houston State, which plays in the third round of the NCAA FCS Division I playoffs on Saturday night.

The 38-year-old Carty was believed to be athletic director Chrissi Rawak’s choice to replace Danny Rocco since last week. He will be UD's youngest head coach since Dave Nelson, who was 31 when he became the Hens' head coach in 1951.

Tubby Raymond was 40 while K.C. Keeler was 43 when they became Delaware's head coach.

Carty will be just the seventh full-time head football coach the Hens have had since 1940.  He won’t be formally introduced in a press conference until Monday at 11 a.m.

Carty will stay on at top-seeded Sam Houston State through the FCS playoffs, where the championship game is scheduled for Jan. 8. He is permitted to talk to Delaware's players and recruits while working on his coaching staff.

“We set out to find the best fit for Delaware football and we found an individual that exemplifies everything this University represents,” Rawak said in a press release. “Ryan is a winner and a champion, plain and simple. He has succeeded at every stop because he does it the right way and is committed to a culture of excellence.”

Carty's biggest job right away may be recruiting the players still on the Hens' roster.

Several of Delaware's top players, including quarterback Nolan Henderson, receiver Thyrick Pitts, linebackers Colby Reeder and Johnny Buchanan and safety Noah Plack have received numerous offers after putting their names in the NCAA Transfer Portal. Most said that staying at UD would remain an option.

The early NCAA signing date is Dec. 15.

Carty, who was also an assistant at Delaware’s CAA rival, New Hampshire for 11 seasons, helped the Bearkats win the FCS national title last spring under Keeler. He was named the FCS Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.com and to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s “Top 40 Coaches Under 40” list.

“I’m so humbled and excited to be involved in ushering in a new phase of one of the elite traditions in all of college football,” said Carty. “I can’t wait to begin our quest towards greatness. My vision for this program is one that will make Newark and the state of Delaware proud of our success in the classroom, our passion in the community, and our relentless pursuit of championships on the football field.

“My own student-athlete experience at the University of Delaware prepared me for this moment.”

With Carty as OC, Sam Houston State has gone 34-10 record since 2018 and a 21-0 mark the past two seasons.

The Bearkats are currently ranked third in the nation in scoring offense (43.0 ppg), fourth in total offense (496.1 ypg), and sixth in rushing offense (241.7 ypg).

During the Bearkats’ undefeated 10-0 spring season, SHSU ranked first nationally in total yards (4,403), first in touchdowns (45), third in first downs (204), seventh in passing yards per attempt (8.6 ypa), eighth in passing yards per completion (14.3 ypc), ninth in scoring offense (38 ppg), 13th in total offense (440 ypg), and 13th in passing offense (282 ypg).

During Carty’s stint at New Hampshire, the Wildcats qualified for the FCS playoffs in each of Carty’s six seasons as offensive coordinator, compiling an 8-6 postseason record and reaching the semifinals in 2013 and 2014. The Wildcats garnered seven or more wins every season Carty was on staff.

As the offensive coordinator, UNH quarterbacks combined for 18,656 yards and 171 TDs in 80 contests with Carty leading the offense.

“I’m thoroughly excited for the University of Delaware to have one of its own coming home,” former UNH coach Sean McDonnell said in a statement. “Ryan is as good as an offensive football coach that I’ve been around in my 40 years. He’s smart, creative, hardworking, and great with the players. He brings an exciting element to the long, storied history of Delaware football.”

Carty comes from a coaching family. His father and two brothers all coached high school football in his home state of New Jersey.

A 2007 Delaware grad, Carty came to Newark after putting up big passing stats at Somerville High. But he ended up being a backup with the Hens, behind a pair of FBS transfers.

He was second string first to All-American Andy Hall on Delaware's 2003 national championship team and then to future NFL QB Joe Flacco.

"I have known Ryan for 20 years and he is a man of integrity and class," Hall said in a UD press release. "Ryan has always been a part of the Blue Hen family and he has proven that he is a true champion. He understands the history, culture, and expectations that come along with being the head coach at Delaware. I sincerely believe he is the coach that will restore the winning tradition and special culture that we have been craving as alum."

“It’s awesome to have someone who has been a part of the Delaware Football family back in position to take the program to the next level," said Flacco. "He knows what Delaware Stadium is like to play in when we are at our best and I can’t wait to see him bring it back."