SBU Sports: Billy Cosh earns 2024 Walter Camp FCS Coach of the Year honors
Adding to an already stellar list of accolades, head coach Billy Cosh has been named the 2024 Walter Camp FCS Coach of the Year, as announced by the organization on Dec. 31. This prestigious honor comes after Cosh was named the AFCA FCS Coach of the Year, AFCA Regional Coach of the Year, and CAA Coach of the Year earlier this postseason.
Now in its second year, the Walter Camp FCS Coach of the Year award recognizes the top head coach in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Last season, the honor went to Greg Gattuso from UAlbany, another Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) head coach. Notable recipients of the Walter Camp Coach of the Year award at the FBS level include legendary names such as Nick Saban (Alabama), Les Miles (LSU), Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Dabo Swinney (Clemson), and Lou Holtz (Arkansas).
At just 32 years old, Cosh, the second-youngest head coach in the FBS or FCS, orchestrated a historic turnaround for Stony Brook football in his debut season. Taking over a program that went 0-10 (0-8 CAA) in 2023 and was projected to finish last in the conference for 2024, Cosh led the Seawolves to an 8-4 (5-3 CAA) record. This remarkable improvement marked the team’s first winning season since 2018, its highest national ranking in six years (No. 16), and finishing at No. 24 in the Stats Perform final regular season poll.
Under Cosh’s leadership, the Seawolves experienced a dramatic resurgence on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the team improved from 15.2 points per game in 2023 to 29.6 points per game in 2024. Total offensive yardage jumped from 314.2 to 403.9 yards per game, including a surge in rushing yards from 104.1 to 170.3 and passing yards from 210.1 to 223.6. The team’s touchdown count skyrocketed from 19 in 2023 to 44 in 2024. The defense also saw substantial improvements, limiting opponents to 24.0 points per game compared to 39.2 the previous year. Total yards allowed dropped from 470.7 to 373.5 per game, and the Seawolves reduced touchdowns allowed from 53 to 32.
Cosh’s leadership not only transformed the program but also propelled several players into the national spotlight. Running back Roland Dempster earned a nomination for the Walter Payton Award, becoming just the second player in program history to receive the honor. Dempster also secured First Team All-CAA recognition and four All-American honors. Defensive lineman Rushawn Lawrence garnered First Team All-CAA honors and two All-American awards, while freshman standout Sebastian Regis was named to the Freshman All-American team.
Additional postseason honors went to tight end Cal Redman, kicker Enda Kirby, and cornerback Rudy Silvera, who were named to the All-CAA Second Team. Offensive linemen Niko Papic and AJ Roberts earned spots on the All-CAA Third Team, while Anthony Ferrelli and Cole Bunicci were recognized on the Phil Steele CAA All-Conference team.
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