Coach Rob Ambrose

After over a decade of not having a chance to speak to each other, Maryland Coach Rob Ambrose joins the show. Currently, he is an analyst and I learned a tremendous amount about his life. Born in Chicago, Rob grew up in Maryland and worked on a farm from an early age which taught him the value of a strong work ethic. It also made him appreciate sports where he competed in football, basketball, and baseball. Rob was taught if the cattle or farm were not tended to, his family was going to be without dinner. Rob's father was the Head Coach at Middletown High School in Western Maryland where after a few rocky seasons early on, he never looked back and became the winningest coach in school history. It can be challenging to play for your father, Rob lost a quarterback competition as a sophomore to an upperclassmen. However, he was brought up for the playoffs and when the team was 9-0, made a game winning interception. After scholarship offer fell through at James Madison. Rob was accepted to schools in the Ivy League but did not receive a good enough financial aid package. He landed at Towson, know as Towson State at the time, playing in the Patriot League. Rob became the first player in school history to line up and play every position on offense besides the offensive line. He was behind two excellent quarterbacks and moved to Wide Receiver to try and get on the field, he claimed to run a 4.7 40-yard dash with the wind at his back. After a hip injury, his playing career ended and had no plans to ever coach. Towson offered him a job as offensive coordinator and his career took off. Wanting an opportunity to be a head coach, he traveled to Catholic University where he stayed a year before coming to the University of Connecticut as Quarterbacks coach where we finally met. Normally I am a miserable, grumpy, energy vampire, Coach Ambrose changed my attitude very quickly because he was upbeat, happy, positive, enthusiastic and passionate. He would come hit the sled with the offensive linemen because they needed us to win. Star Quarterback and top recruit ever in the state of Connecticut Dan Orlovsky had a tumultuous freshmen year from not having the best Quarterbacks coach. Rob Ambrose stepped up and earned Dan's trust, Dan believed in him because coach Ambrose always had his back. They developed a close relationship that goes on to this day. Rob will say part of his success came from being in the right place at the right time. Towson losing their offensive coordinator in the spring, Catholic University needing a head coach, Having a chance to work with the greatest quarterback in UConn history in Dan Orlovsky, UConn losing Norries Wilson. Rob having an opportunity to build Towson's program. Timing is important, but you can't have an outstanding resume everywhere you go. I gravitated to Coach Ambrose because he cared about and loved his players. He did not get the best recruits, but he believed and developed them from the ground up. He was fiercely loyal, and never gave up on his players. Towson University was a trainwreck of a football program in 2009, playing in the toughest conference in Division 1 FCS. No problem! Eddie Robinson coach of the year in 2011, Colonial Athletic Conference Coach of the year in 2011 to go along with two conference championships, multiple playoff appearances and oh, by the way, a little accomplishment playing in the National Championship game. Rob Ambrose was not my position coach and I spent one year with him at UConn. Coach Ambrose has resonated with me 20 years now because he legitimately cares about his players, current and former. His frenetic energy made you know you could beat anyone. Despite not expecting to coach football, he put together a remarkable career, is an excellent family man, a father watching his son play college football in West Virginia. Rob is a brilliant mind, will help out anywhere needed. Overall a first-class person, knows how to develop young men, and have incredible success!