Tom Perkovich named Albany head coach, targets transfer portal overhaul

Tom Perkovich was introduced at a January 7 press conference as the University at Albany's new head football coach, signing a four-year contract and immediately beginning a roster and staff reset aimed at returning the Great Danes to competitiveness in the Coastal Athletic Association.

Perkovich arrives from Division III Susquehanna, where he compiled an 84-25 record, and brought familiar and experienced coaches to Albany. Offensive coordinator Mike Wiand, who coached with Perkovich at Susquehanna, joins to run the offense. Matthew Scott, most recently at PennWest Edinboro, takes over as defensive coordinator. Special teams duties go to Keith Larson, who comes from Texas A&M. Perkovich also opted to retain three current UAlbany assistants to preserve some continuity on recruiting and player development.

With Albany coming off a 2-10 2025 season, Perkovich signaled an aggressive approach to roster construction. He plans to lean heavily on the transfer portal, which opened Jan. 2 for most teams, and on an upcoming slate of campus visits to evaluate and attract transfers and high school prospects. That timeline means Albany could see significant turnover quickly, as transfers hunting immediate playing time and teams reshaping depth charts hit the market.

Athletic director Mark Benson addressed recruitment strategy and name-image-likeness considerations during the introduction, indicating the program will factor NIL into outreach to portal players and recruits. That mirrors broader FCS practice, where NIL and immediate roster impact from transfers are central to rebuilding efforts.

For the UAlbany community, the moves signal a rapid pivot. Fans and local high school coaches should expect an influx of portal visits and recruiting activity on campus over the next few weeks. For current players, staff continuity in some positions may ease the transition, but significant competition for playing time is likely as Perkovich evaluates the roster. For high school recruits and transfer candidates, now is the window to schedule visits and get detailed conversations about role, development plans, and NIL opportunities.

Perkovich’s blend of a track record at the Division III level and a staff that mixes familiarity with FCS and Power Five experience suggests Albany is prioritizing player development and scheming that can be implemented quickly. In the CAA, where no turnaround happens in a vacuum, the early portal strategy and the new staff’s regional ties will be key to closing the talent gap.

Our two cents? If you’re a transfer, a recruit, or a fan, move fast: expect quick roster churn, prioritize campus visits to meet the new staff, and ask specific questions about development and NIL, those answers will tell you whether this reboot turns into a rebuild.