Shawn Rohrer enters his sixth season as the defensive coordinator at Washington & Jefferson College in 2016.
Last season, the Presidents finished second in the PAC in scoring defense at 24.2 points per game and allowed under 20.0 points per game (19.8) in the regular season. W&J also boasted the second-ranked rush defense in the league, yielding 133.8 yards. After the season, eight defensive players earned All-PAC laurels, including First Team selections Bryce Merrill. Jared Pratt and Jon Turner. Pratt broke the single-season program mark for tackles that had stood for 27 years with 136 and recorded a school-record 22 stops in the NCAA Second Round at Mount Union.
In 2013, W&J ranked second in scoring defense in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, allowing just 21.8 points per game, en route to the program's 23rd league title. W&J led the conference in sacks with 31 and both takeaways (27) and interceptions (16), while holding opponents to just a 32.7 percent conversion rate on third downs. In total, nine defense players garnered All-PAC recognition following the regular season.
Rohrer's 2012 defensive unit helped W&J claim its 22nd PAC championship and earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. W&J ranked second in the league in pass efficiency defense (113.7 rating) and had three of the conference's top 10 tacklers.
In 2011, his defense ranked 37th in NCAA Division III after allowing less than 300 yards per game (299.3). The rushing defense was especially stingy, holding opponents to 95.7 yards per game, the 17th-lowest average in the nation. W&J also ranked among the top 40 teams nationally in scoring defense (17.9 ppg) and sacks (2.6 spg).
Prior to his arrival at W&J, Rohrer spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at PAC member Saint Vincent College.
A 1998 Slippery Rock University graduate, Rohrer has also spent time as a defensive assistant coach at California (Pa.), Shepherd (W.Va.) and his alma mater. During his time at Shepherd, he helped the Rams win two WVIAC championships.
As a player, Rohrer was an All-America linebacker who led SRU to the 1997 PSAC Championship and the school’s first-ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance. He was a two-time All-Northeast Region selection.
Rohrer is a native of Beallsville, Pa., and a graduate of Beth-Center High School.
