Monmouth Rehires Alumnus Christian Runza as Operations Director, OLB Coach

Christian Runza is back in West Long Branch in a dual role as Monmouth’s Director of Football Operations and Outside Linebackers Coach, the university confirmed in a Feb. 10 athletics release and in social posts the Outlook said were first announced Feb. 5. Monmouth lists Runza on its staff page as “Linebackers, Director of Operations” with a “Starting 26-27 Season” tag as the Hawks gear up for spring practice ahead of the 2026 season.

Runza’s return pairs front-office responsibilities with hands-on edge work. Outlook’s reporting lays out the expanded operations brief: overseeing travel logistics, coordinating fundraising efforts, managing alumni relations and organizing community outreach initiatives, a role the student paper said “demonstrates many of the behind the scenes responsibilities required to sustain a Division I program.” The athletics listing and an Instagram welcome post used the title Director of Football Operations / Outside Linebackers Coach and the social caption read, “Welcome back, Runzzzz Christian Runza is joining the staff as the Director of Football Operations/ Outside Linebackers Coach! #FlyHawks.”

On-field credentials underpin the hire. Monmouth’s release notes that Runza’s linebacking unit with the Michigan Panthers contributed to the league’s best run defense over the 2024-25 span, and that he coached 2023 USFL Defensive Player of the Year Frank Ginda, who was one of two Panthers linebackers to sign NFL contracts after that season. Runza’s previous Monmouth stint in 2023-24 came as a Defensive Assistant working primarily with MU edge rushers, a period Monmouth said saw “significant improvements in points and yards allowed per game.”

Runza’s coaching résumé includes four seasons at Towson from 2019-2022, where he rose from Defensive Quality Control to Linebackers Coach and “led four Tigers to All-CAA recognition” during his tenure, according to Monmouth materials. As a student-athlete Runza played at Monmouth from 2014-18, earned the 2017 Raymond Michelli Coaches’ Award, made the Dean’s List and helped the Hawks reach their first-ever FCS playoff berth as a senior in 2017.

The hire arrives amid a broader staff reshuffle under Head Coach Jeff Gallo as Monmouth prepares for spring practice; the same Feb. 10 staff update added Chris Vega and promoted Kevin Callahan Jr., Jimmy Robertson and Louis DiRienzo Jr. Those moves reshape position leadership across offense and defense while adding Runza’s combination of pro-level coaching experience and alumni ties to recruiting and donor-facing duties.

Outlook quoted Runza saying, “It was great to be able to coach both at the professional level and back where I played at… It’s been awesome to be able to give back to the program that helped mold me into the man I am today.” Teammate or player Sasso added, “It’s awesome to have Coach Runza back… The team is amped to have Coach Runza back on staff!” With Monmouth citing both measurable defensive improvement during his prior stint and a pro pipeline connection through Frank Ginda and NFL signings, Runza’s return is positioned to impact recruiting, alumni engagement and defensive performance as the Hawks enter the 2026 spring cycle.