ELON, N.C. – Elon football head coach Pete Lembo has added Dave Ungerer to the Phoenix staff as the special teams coordinator.  Ungerer comes to Elon after serving as the special teams coach at Oregon State since 2007.  At Elon, Ungerer is reunited with Lembo with whom he coached for two seasons (2000-01) at Lehigh University when the Mountain Hawks went a combined 23-2.

“We are very fortunate to have Dave here at Elon,” stated Lembo.  “He made a huge impact on our success at Lehigh and influenced our program's special teams philosophy even after his departure. Big plays on special teams were the key to our playoff win over Hofstra in 2001 - a game considered by many to be among the greatest in Lehigh history.

“Dave has a reputation as one of the top college special teams coaches in the country. He is experienced and knowledgeable, but his greatest asset is his ability to relate to and motivate players to perform in this important phase of the game. Dave’s combination of FBS experience and many years in highly successful FCS programs truly makes him a unique addition to our coaching staff.”

In 2008 Ungerer had one of the most difficult tasks of any special teams coach in the country with a new starting punter and kicker. His punter, Johnny Hekker, improved throughout the season and ended the year as the Special Teams MVP of the Sun Bowl. In addition, he coached Pac-10 Conference First Team punt returner Sammie Stroughter and Second Team kick returner James Rodgers. As a unit overall, the Beavers were first in the Pac-10 for kickoff coverage (18.7 yards) and third for kickoff returns (23.4 yards).

The 2007 OSU special teams unit featured placekicker Alexis Serna and kickoff return standout Gerard Lawson, both All-Pac-10 selections. Serna left the program as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 384 points and set the Pac-10 record with 144 consecutive converted extra point kicks. Lawson was one of the best special teams players ever at OSU and earned a spot on the Cleveland Browns’ 2008 roster. The Beaver kickoff coverage team ranked first in the Pac-10 and fifth nationally, allowing a meager 17.8 yard average.

Ungerer came to Corvallis after four seasons at the University of Alabama as the special teams and tight ends coach. The Crimson Tide special teams excelled during his tenure, blocking 13 kicks and returning five punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. While at Alabama he coached All-Southeastern Conference punt returners Javier Arenas and Tyrone Prothro, punter P.J. Fitzgerald and placekicker Brian Bostick.

Prior to his arrival in Tuscaloosa, Ungerer spent one season as the special teams/tight ends coach at the University of California. In his lone season, kickoff returner LaShaun Ward ranked third in the nation for average returns while Mike McGrath and placekicker Mark Jenkins earned All-Pac-10 honors. In addition, Cal’s kickoff return team was third in the nation and first in the Pac-10.

Ungerer arrived at California after two years at Lehigh, where he assisted the program in finishing in the top-10 in the nation both years. Ungerer also spent five years at the University of Maryland. While at Maryland he coached 1993 Honorable Mention All-American and first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference punter Scott Milanovich.

From 1988-91, Ungerer was on the staff at Holy Cross where the program won three straight Patriot League crowns and compiled a record of 39-4-1, including a perfect 11-0 ledger in 1991.

Ungerer has also coached at Davidson College (1986-87), Northeastern University (1985) and as a graduate assistant at Rutgers University (1983-84).

The Edison, N.J., native is a 1980 graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Health.

Ungerer and his wife Sylvia have three sons, Dominic, David and Dante.