Anthony Colucci is entering his first season as Head Coach of the Panthers after being hired in December 2022. Colucci has been the offensive coordinator for the Panthers since the 2017 season.
In the 2022 season, Colucci helped the Panthers' offense remain one of the best in the SAA. BSC finished first in the conference in total yards and yards per game. The Panthers also led the SAA in rushing with 251.3 yards per game in conference play. Sophomore RB Jon Lewis couldn't be stopped and earned All-American honors by the Associated Press, D3Football.com, and the American Football Coaches Association in 2022. OL Brandon Armstrong was named to the All-Region Second Team Offense in 2022, and nine total Panthers were all-conference selections from the offense. The BSC All-SAA tight end streak was also extended to six straight years with Bryon Millsap earning first team honors.
In 2021, Colucci helped the Panthers to the winningest season in program history. The Panthers made it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, following the first NCAA tournament berth in program history. The 2021 season was another record setting year for the Panthers’ offense. The Panthers once again led the SAA in scoring and broke three SAA all-time rushing records. The offense also broke 12 school records including scoring, rushing yards, and more. The offense produced a school record 10 All-SAA selections. Robert Shufford capped off a storied career with another All-American season. Shufford took advantage of running lanes created by four All-SAA offensive linemen: Brandon Armstrong, Chris Moore, Michael Gray, and Derrick Maddox. Armstrong was also named the All-Region Team. For the fifth consecutive season BSC produced an All-SAA tight end. In 2021 the honor went to Byron Millsap.
During a shortened 2021 spring season, the Panther offense led the SAA in scoring. Overall, the offense produced nine all-conference players. Robert Shufford led the way while winning the SAA Offensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive year. Helping pave the way for him were all-conference offensive lineman: Chris Moore, Brandon Armstrong, and Derrick Maddox. In a shortened season, Wells Smith and Brandon Rew were both on pace to set multiple receiving records. For the fourth consecutive season, the Panther offense produced an All-SAA tight end. This year, the recognition went to Luke DeFur.
The 2019 season was a record year for the Panthers’ offense. In total, the offense finished top 10 in four national categories, including the national leader in tackles for a loss allowed. The offense set 11 school records across total offense, scoring, all-purpose yards and more. They led the league in every team offensive category and were powered by unanimous All-American and Gagliardi finalist Robert Shufford. The running back used the holes created by four All-Southern Athletic Association offensive lineman. Tackles Austin Lewter and Spencer Scofield were first-team all-conference. Lewter was also named all-region and earned Academic All-District honors. The offensive line received national recognition, set program records, and ranked nationally. Quarterback Trevor Oakes quietly became the all-time passing leader. In all, the offense produced a finalist for the award given to the top Division III football student-athlete, a unanimous All-American, three all-region selections, and nine All-SAA nods.
In 2018, the Panthers’ offense improved in every statistical category, finishing second in the SAA for total offense under Colucci. They set a new school record during their week six win, totaling 650 yards of offense. The Panthers also put up 57 points in the win, the third most in school history. The passing attack led the way for most of the season while ranking in the top 50 nationwide in almost all categories. The Panthers’ offense received seven all-conference nods for their 2018 performances. Highlighting the group was freshman wide receiver Gentry Neese, who was named the Southern Athletic Association Newcomer of the Year. Neese tallied 55 receptions for 553 yards and one touchdown on the year. The offensive line received nationwide recognition when they were named to the d3football.com Team of the Week after paving the way for 285 rushing yards and a total of 518 yards in their week eight win. This was also the third consecutive week in which the BSC offensive line didn’t give up a single sack.
Colucci’s first season on the Hilltop saw the BSC offense ranked nationally in every category, including passing offense. The Panthers’ set a new school record in their week six performance while throwing for 447 total yards. And five Panthers earned all-conference nods on the offensive side of the ball.
Colucci previously spent three years on staff at Centre College, where he was the tight ends coach for two years before taking over the offensive line. During his tenure with the Colonels, the offense broke program records in total points and yards per season for three consecutive years, finishing 2016 with 5,086 total yards (which ranked 13th nationally for total offense). They also ranked in the top 20 of all NCAA Division III in six other offensive categories, including 42.6 points per game.
During the 2016 campaign, four Colonel offensive lineman were recognized with All-Southern Athletic Association honors under Colucci. Tre Killian was a first-team all-conference selection while both Jeremy Walker and Tim Grabenstein were recognized on the second team. Lowell Brown earned honorable mention all-conference as well.
Centre has compiled 500-plus yards of offense in nine games over the past two seasons, with 12 of at least 400 yards. The Colonels finished top 20 in NCAA Division III in total offense in 2015 as well, with quarterback Heath Haden setting program career records in passing yards (8,872), passing touchdowns (68), and total yards (10,623). In 2014, the Colonels completed an undefeated regular season which sent them to the NCAA Division III Playoffs representing the Southern Athletic Association (SAA). During that conference championship run, Colucci coached all-conference first team selection Brandon Kamp at the tight end position, who was also named to the 2015 Kentucky Football Hall of Fame All-Commonwealth Team.
A native of Ashtabula, Ohio, Colucci spent his playing days at Capital University where he was a three-year starter on the offensive line. He is a 2014 graduate of Capital University with a bachelor’s degree of science in nursing.
Colucci and his wife Chelsea have one son, AJ. They reside in Gardendale, Ala.
