Football | December 13, 2025

PHILADELPHIA – Rick Santos, who guided New Hampshire to three NCAA FCS Playoff appearances as head coach and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in FCS history, has been named the George A. Munger Head Football Coach at the University of Pennsylvania.

Santos will be formally introduced to the Penn community on Tuesday, December 16, at a press conference beginning at 1 p.m. in the Li Family Auditorium within the Coulson Family Training Complex at Franklin Field. The event will be streamed live on the Penn Sports Network.

"We are thrilled to welcome a high-energy, dynamic leader in Rick Santos as the next head coach of Penn Football," Alanna Wren, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W'69 Director of Athletics and Recreation said. "He is a proven winner, taking New Hampshire to multiple NCAA FCS Playoff appearances, and is considered one of the best players in FCS history as a former Walter Payton Award winner. I am confident Rick will have Penn competing for Ivy League championships and postseason appearances in the near future."

"I am incredibly excited and humbled by the opportunity to lead the football program at the University of Pennsylvania," Santos said. "Penn represents excellence at the highest level—academically, athletically, and institutionally—and I am grateful for the trust placed in me to steward such a proud and prestigious program. The chance to work with outstanding student-athletes at a world-class institution, while competing for championships and developing leaders for life, is truly special. I cannot wait to begin this next chapter and fully embrace the Penn football community."

Over five seasons as head coach, Santos led the Wildcats to a 37–24 overall record and a 28–12 mark in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), earning NCAA FCS Playoff berths in 2022, 2024, and 2025. In his first season at the helm, he guided UNH to a share of the CAA title, a No. 15 national ranking, and a berth in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.

"I want to express my deepest gratitude to the University of New Hampshire, a place that has truly been home to me in every sense of the word," Santos continued. "From my time as a student-athlete, to serving as an assistant coach, and ultimately having the honor of leading the program as head coach, UNH has shaped me both professionally and personally. I will forever be grateful to the Wildcat family—our players, staff, alumni, and supporters—for the unwavering support, trust, and belief they showed in me and my family. The relationships built and the memories created in Durham will always hold a special place in my heart."

In 2025, New Hampshire won its final five regular-season games, including a victory over No. 6 Monmouth, to secure an at-large playoff bid. It marked the program's third season with eight or more wins in the past four years.

Santos has spent the majority of his collegiate coaching career at New Hampshire. He served as wide receivers coach and punt return coordinator from 2013–15, associate head coach and quarterbacks coach from 2018–19 and 2020–21, and interim head coach in 2019. During his early tenure as an assistant, the Wildcats made FCS Playoff appearances in 2013 and 2014, won the 2014 CAA Championship, and ascended to a No. 1 national ranking.

From 2016–18, Santos worked at Columbia as quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator under former Penn head coach Al Bagnoli, helping the Lions to an 8–2 record and 5–2 Ivy League finish in 2017.

As a quarterback at New Hampshire from 2004–07, Santos established himself as one of the most accomplished players ever at the FCS level. He won the 2006 Walter Payton Award as the nation's top offensive player after throwing for 3,125 yards and 29 touchdowns. A three-time All-American, three-time Atlantic 10/CAA Offensive Player of the Year, and four-time all-conference selection, he still holds UNH career records for passing attempts (1,498), completions (1,024), and passing yards (12,189).

Santos led the Wildcats to four NCAA Division I-AA/FCS Playoff appearances, compiling a 37–14 record. UNH won the 2005 Atlantic 10 Championship and climbed to No. 1 nationally and also captured the Atlantic 10 Northern Division titles in 2004 and 2006.

A native of Norwood, Massachusetts, Santos graduated from UNH in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs, then played four seasons in the Canadian Football League, where he won two Grey Cup titles.

Santos will be joined in the Philadelphia area by his wife Ulyana, daughter Rya and son Andre.