Director of Athletics Paul Murphy has announced the hiring of Joe Trainer to lead the startup Immaculata Women's Flag Football Program.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Joe and have someone with his passion and expertise lead our newly formed women's flag football program." stated Murphy. "Starting this program will strengthen our offerings as its nation-wide rise in popularity allows Immaculata University and the Atlantic East Conference to pioneer another opportunity for women in sports within the NCAA."
Trainer is a football guy through and through, coming to Immaculata after coaching stops at the Division One, Two and Three levels. Trainer is a graduate of Dickinson College where he was a four-year member of the football program. Upon graduation he began his coaching career at Temple University as a Graduate Assistant. This led to a stop at Frostburg State where he was the Special Teams Coach. In 1993 he was the Linebackers Coach as well as Special Teams Coordinator at Colgate. From 1995-2004 Trainer was a Linebackers Coach and Defensive Coordinator at both New Haven and Villanova.
His first stint as a head coach was in 2005 when he took over a Millersville program for three seasons before becoming the Defensive Coordinator at FCS program Rhode Island in 2008. In 2009 Trainer was named the 19th Head Football Coach in Rhode Island program history, where he remained until 2013. Following the stint at Rhode Island, Trainer returned to the Mainline, serving as the Defensive Coordinator at Villanova until 2018.
After coaching, Trainer became the Athletic Director at nearby Pope John Paull II High School until 2022 when he stepped down and now serves as a school counselor at LaSalle College High School.
The transition to flag football from men's collegiate football is one Trainer is ready to embrace head on. He is focused on helping grow the game and believes the same philosophies will translate from men's collegiate football to the Women's flag football scene.
"Joe's excellent leadership, strong communication skills and unique talents will enhance our athletic department while aligning perfectly with our goals as a university. Our student-athletes will benefit greatly from his dedication and coaching ability, and we couldn't be happier to have him on board." concluded Murphy.
While it will be a transition to a different version of football for Trainer, he will be wearing a familiar color scheme on the sidelines as Immaculata, Villanova and Rhode Island all wear a navy blue, light blue, and white colorway.
