CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion University Wednesday announced the hiring of Charlie Eger as Interim Offensive Coordinator while not saying what happened to Phil Hamilton, who had served as the offensive coordinator for the Golden Eagles for the past three seasons.(Photo courtesy of Clarion University and Seton Hill University Athletics)
Eger comes to Clarion from Seton Hill University, which replaced head coach Isaac Collins and his staff after the Griffins went 1-10 last season and 13-53 in six seasons under Collins. Eger spent all six seasons under Collins working as the offensive coordinator since 2013 while also coaching the offensive line from 2014-17 and serving as the recruiting coordinator.
“We’re really excited to welcome Charlie to our program and the Golden Eagle family,” Clarion head coach Chris Weibel said. “In addition to his talent for running an offense, he also has a dynamic leadership style that I feel will push our student-athletes in the years to come. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to work with him.”
Eger replaces Hamilton, whose offense ranked near the bottom of the 15-team PSAC in both points scored (13th; 19.8) and total yards (14th; 290.1) this past season when Clarion went 4-7. Hamilton’s offense also ranked 15th in the then 16-team PSAC in both scoring and total offense in 2017 and 14th in scoring and 12th in total offense in 2016 after he was hired just before the start of training camp to replace Jesse Correll, who left to become the passing game coordinator at Shepherd University. Correll is now the offensive coordinator at Shippensburg.
When asked what happened to Hamilton, Clarion University Sports Information Director Sean Fagan said he was, “no longer with the program.” When asked if Hamilton no longer being with the program was Hamilton’s decision or the university’s decision, Fagan couldn’t say.
“All I can confirm is that he is no longer employed at Clarion,” Fagan said.
Eger’s offenses were in the bottom half of the PSAC the last couple of years.
In 2018, Seton Hill ranked 11th in the PSAC in scoring (22.5 ppg) and 10th in total offense (363.0 yards per game) after ranking 11th in scoring (23.9 ppg) in 2017 despite the Griffins ranking seventh in yards per game (422.0).
But in 2016, Eger’s offense was the top-ranked offense by yards (515.0) and sixth in scoring (32.5 ppg).
He also coached some top-caliber athletes including wide receiver Ardell Brown who was a three-time All-PSAC West selection as well as a 2018 D2 Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) All-Super Region 1 pick and broke a number of program records for receiving yards and total receptions. All told, Eger coached eight All-PSAC athletes in his time with the Griffins.
Before arriving in Greensburg, Eger was the recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator at Division III Widener from 2010-12. He coached the offensive line during his first two seasons before being the quarterbacks’ coach in 2012.
During his time at Widener, the offense improved from one of the worst in Division III to one of the best. In the 2011 season, Widener had the highest scoring offense in Division III and improved on those numbers in 2012. In 2012, two offensive players who were named Second Team All-Americans and four offensive players who were named first team all-conference. During the 2011 and 2012 seasons, the Widener offense led their conference and ranked in the top-10 in the nation in scoring offense, passing offense and total offense.
Prior to coaching at Widener, Eger coached at Division I FCS Central Connecticut State from 2006-09. He started as tight ends and special teams coordinator before becoming the team’s offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator in 2007 and added wide receivers coach to his resume in 2009. Eger helped turn the Blue Devils’ offense into one of the best in the Northeast Conference (NEC), leading the conference in rushing in all three seasons and ranking in the top-10 in the nation in that time as well.
In addition to his work in the collegiate ranks, Eger has also been involved with professional teams during his career. He was a guest coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in each of the last two years, served as a guest coach for Organized Team Activities (OTA) with the St. Louis Rams and attended Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs in 2016-17.
Eger earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State and earned his master’s in Physical Education: Exercise Science from Central Connecticut State. He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified USA Weight Lifting Coach (USAW).
Eger will come to Clarion accompanied his wife Erica and four children, Brody, Tessa, Drake and Charlie.
