Thomas Rocco joins the Buffs as the defensive coordinator and is no stranger to the Texas Panhandle having previously coached in the Lone Star Conference. Rocco most recently spent the last five years at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. He joined the staff in 2011 and helped the Blinn Bucs secure a 10-0 undefeated regular season record, and bowl game appearance in Biloxi Missisippi Bowl. In 2013, he took over the play calling responsibilities for the Blinn defense and in 3 consecutive years saw improvement in decreasing points allowed per game. In 2015, his third year as defensive coordinator, the Buccaneer defense posted the lowest total in points allowed and topped the Southwest Junior College Football Conference in fewest points allowed per game at 23 points.
In his tenure at Blinn, 19 of his defensive backs were selected as all-conference players, two were tabbed All-America and 17 signed scholarships to play Division I football. He also served as recruiting coordinator while in Brenham and covered the vast majority of South East Texas, including the greater Houston area, Central Texas and Austin. He developed and executed in and off-season strength and condition plans for the team and enjoyed great success in developing his players.
Prior to joining the staff at Blinn College, Rocco served as Co-Defensive coordinator at New Mexico Highlands Univeristy and Fort Lewis College of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. In 2005 and 2006 while at Fort Lewis in Durango, Colo., the team produced back to back winning seasons (6-4 and 7-4), dropping four games over the course the two seasons to Division I FCS opponents. The 2006 Skyhawk defense produced 36 takeaways, lead by a two-time All-America selection at safety. The record-setting season culminated in bowl game victory vs Dixie State in the Dixie Rotary Bowl. The win helped Fort Lewis post the winningest season in school history. Four other defensive backs were selected to the all-conference team under Coach Rocco’s guidance.
After the successful 2006 season, Rocco left the Rocky Mountains and headed for Texas. He began working on a master’s degree, and joined LSC rival Midwestern State. While in Wichita Falls, he worked closely with the safeties and assisted with strength and conditioning. As a graduate assistant, he was responsible for recruiting parts of the DFW Metroplex as well as East Texas. In 2008, he returned to Fort Lewis as the defensive co-coordinator and continued working with the defensive backs.
He graduated from Fort Lewis in 2003 with a degree in Education. Rocco was a team captain and the starting cornerback for the Skyhawks before a career ending injury that lead him into coaching. He began coaching the secondary for Coach Ed Rifialto at Fort Lewis in the spring of 2004.
Rocco and his wife Mary Kathryn live in Canyon with their two dogs LeRoy and Gracie and cat Junior.
