Contact Coach Widolff
dwidolff@oxy.edu, (323) 259-2708

Occidental football, now in its 108th season, has enjoyed unparalleled success in the last 26 years under Dale Widolff.  The Tigers claimed the tenth SCIAC title of Widolff's tenure in 2006, made their sixth post-season appearance, and finished the season ranked 15th in both the AFCA and D3Football.com national polls.

Occidental has won four SCIAC titles in the past seven years with a combined record of 55-13 overall, the most wins of any nationally ranked liberal arts college in that span. The 2005 squad, which featured an elite group of 21 seniors, posted a perfect 9-0 regular season record and ranked as high as fifth before losing to defending national champion Linfield in the NCAA Division III first round.

The 2004 squad won two postseason games for the first time in school history and finished eighth in the final AFCA poll, the program's fourth top eight finish.  The 2001 squad clinched the conference title after an 8-1 campaign and a perfect 5-0 mark in league play. 

"Our success is a result of our ability to encourage quality football players to come to Occidental," says Widolff. "When we recruit prospective student-athletes, we look for individuals who are competitors, who love to play football, and who aren't afraid to make a dual commitment to athletics and education. We believe that young men who possess these outstanding characteristics are the reason why we've enjoyed so much success over the years."

Widolff attended the University of Indianapolis where he played center and outside linebacker. He graduated in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in Social Studies - Secondary Education. Prior to Occidental, Widolff served on the coaching staffs at Kansas State, University of Pennsylvania, and Indiana State University, where he earned a master's degree in physical education in 1984.

After two years as defensive coordinator, Widolff assumed head coaching duties in 1982, guiding the Tigers to a 5-5 record and third place SCIAC finish.  Occidental's 34-20 upset of the University of San Diego, broadcast on national television during the 1982 NFL strike, was his third game as head coach. From 1983-85, the Tigers won three consecutive SCIAC championships, advancing to the NCAA playoffs all three seasons.  Widolff earned Division III Region 5 Coach of the Year honors in 1983 and 1985. After a second-place finish in 1986, Occidental shared the SCIAC title in 1987 and won it outright in 1988 & 1989.

Background:  A Pasadena native, Erik was head football coach at John Muir High school for seven years.  He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, the National Football Certification Association, and the Football Coaches Professional Growth Association.  EJ resides in Monrovia, CA with his wife Gina and stepdaughter Amber.

Coaching Experience:
Occidental College:  Defensive Coordinator (2002-Current);
Head Golf Coach (2005-current)
Crescenta Valley: Defensive Coordinator (2001)
John Muir High School: Assistant Coach (1993-1994); Head Coach (1994-2000)
Blair High School: Assistant Coach (1991-1993)

Playing Experience: 
St. Mary's College: QB (1988-1989)
Citrus Jr. College: QB (1986-1987)

Notable Accomplishments:
The Occidental defense led the SCIAC in points allowed and rushing defense in 2003 & 2004.  Twenty players have earned All-SCIAC honors the past three seasons, including Mike Bryant '06, the SCIAC's first three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Bryant competed in the 2005 Aztec Bowl in Saltillo, Mexico; defensive back Derek Turbin '06 was selected to participate in the 2006 Hula Bowl, an event typically reserved for Division I talent.

Education: Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts at Wichita State in 1974 and a Masters degree at Cal Lutheran University in 1978.

Background: Fenwick returns for his third year with the Tigers, bringing over 35 years of coaching experience to the Occidental football program, having most recently served as head coach at Eastern Oregon from 1999-2005.

A native of Pocatello, ID who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, Fenwick coached at L.A. Pierce College in Woodland Hills from 1973-1987 and spent brief stints at Cal State-Northridge and Los Angeles Valley College before moving to Miami University (OH) in 1989.

After two years at Miami U, Fenwick spent the 1991 season at the University of the Pacific  in Stockton, CA, before returning to L.A. Valley College. Fenwick served as the head coach for six years, earning Coach of the Year Honors in 1994. From L.A. Valley he moved to Cal State Northridge, a Division I AA college in the Big Sky Conference, for one before moving to the University of New Mexico as the Offensive Coordinator. With the Lobos from 1998-1999, Fenwick coached his son Tyler, Occidental's offensive coordinator from 2001-2005.

Education: Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UC-Davis in 2001.

Background: Born in Salem, Oregon, Eric has lived in California since 1989. He currently resides in Pasadena with his wife Megan. Eric coached Football Gazette Third Team All-American Josh Jones and Ric Fukushima, the SCIAC's John Zinda Award winner, in 2005. Most recently wide reciever Rocky Ciasulli ('08) earned his second First Team All-SCIAC recognition in as many years. He also serves as the team's equipment manager.

Coaching Experience:

Occidental College:
Wide Receivers 2005-present
Tight Ends/Special Teams 2004

Whittier College:  
Outside Linebackers (2003)

St. Mary's HS, Stockton CA:
Offensive Line/Tight Ends/Defensive Line (2002)   

Bill Dobson, a 1982 graduate of Occidental College, has more than two decades of coaching experience, working at all levels ranging from the AFL and Canadian Football Leagues to Division III.

Most recently Dobson was a six-year coach for the Los Angeles Avengers, who he helped advance into the AFL Playoffs four times, including an incredible run to the Western Division title in 2005.

In his first four seasons with the club, prior to the recent change in the Arena Football League substitution rules, he coached the Avenger offensive/defensive linemen.

In 2005, Dobson was a part of the most amazing season by a lineman in AFL history, coaching Silas Demary, who won both the "ADT Defensive Player of the Year" and "Lineman of the Year" awards. Demary finished the season with 13.5 quarterback sacks to break an AFL single-season record that stood for 18 years.

Education: Earned a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1989.  Received an M.B.A. from the University of Florida in 1993.

Background:  Originally from Connecticut, Chau played safety at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  He owns strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA, CSCS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM, HFI)

Coaching Experience:   
Occidental College: Outside Linebackers, Strength & Conditioning (2005-present)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CT): Outside Linebackers, JV Head Coach, Assistant Strength Coach (2004)
El Camino High School (San Diego, CA): Defensive Backs, Strength Coach (2002-2003)
Escondido High School (San Diego, CA): Wide Receivers, Strength Coach (2001) 

Playing Experience: 
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1985-1988)

Strength & Conditioning Corporate Clients:
The Sporting Club (La Jolla, CA)
Boston Scientific (San Diego and Murrietta Valley, CA)
Biocept (San Diego)
National University (San Diego)

Education: Jo spent two years at Pasadena City College before transferring to UC-San Diego, where he received a BA in Communications in 2003. 

Background:  A native of La Crescenta, Jo played quarterback and linebacker at Crescenta Valley High School, where he earned the Leon Panduro Memorial Scholarship from the coaching staff.  While at UCSD, Jo served as an assistant coach at University City High School, working with both the quarterbacks and defensive linemen.

Education: Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement and Sports Science from the University of La Verne. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University.

Background:  
Matt was born in Pasadena, grew up in Arcadia and currently resides in Covina. 

Coaching Experience:
Occidental College: Tight Ends (present)
Los Angeles Avengers Intern (2007 – 2008)
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Offensive Line Coach (2007)
Arcadia High School Offensive and Defensive Line Coach (2002 & 2005) 

Playing Experience: 
University of Arizona (2001) 
University of La Verne (2004-2006)
Arcadia High School OL/DL (1997-2000)

Notable Accomplishments:
ULV: 2006 1st Team All Conference SCIAC - Offensive Line
Arcadia High School: four year letterman, Ironman Award

Education: A 2008 graduate of Occidental College, Matt majored in Art History/Visual Arts with a Minor in Education. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Education from Oxy.

Background: Born and raised in Sacramento, Calif. Matt aspires to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Don Brown, who went on to become a legendary high school football coach in Sacramento following a successful football (running back) and baseball (second base) career at the University of the Pacific between 1947-49.

Coaching Experience:
Occidental College:
First Year Coaching: Running Back

Playing Experience: 
Matt was a four-year letter winner for Oxy under the leadership of legendary Coach Widolff. Among his accolades on the gridiron are:

Education:  Earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Occidental in 2005 and an M.A.T in Social Science with a Level I teaching certification in May 2006.

Background:  Born and raised in Southern California, Tromello has played football virtually his whole life; from Pop Warner to a recent stint overseas as player / coach with the Gefle Red Devils of Sweden.  He played three years at Oxy and was a key member of the 2004 SCIAC championship team.  

Coaching Experience: 
Occidental College:  Offensive Assistant/Tight Ends/Fullbacks (Fall 2005)
Gefle Red Devils: Defensive Coordinator (Summer 2005)

Playing Experience: 
Gefle Red Devils: Running Back/Linebacker (2005)
Occidental College: Linebacker (2002-2004)
Moorpark College: Linebacker (2001)
Newbury Park High School: Linebacker (1997-2000)

Education: Lou earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Fresno State in 1996 before going on to earn an MA in Communication at Cal State University, Long Beach in 1999.

Background: A native of Southern California, Lou was born in Norwalk. He currently resides in Huntington Beach with his wife Angie. From 1997-2005 Lou taught Communication Studies at CSU Long Beach. He left Long Beach for a job as the Assistant Public Relations Director and Player Personnel Department Assistant with the Arizona Rattlers of the AFL for the 2008 season. In his free time Lou is an avid cyclist who enjoys riding and racing locally and in the surrounding states. 

Coaching Experience:
Occidental College: Recruiting Coordinator (present)
Arizona Rattlers: Defensive Assistant Coach (2008) Phoenix College: Assistant Coach - Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator (2008)