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Diaz Selects Infante as Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator
1/3/2024 1:40:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – Duke head football coach Manny Diaz announced Wednesday that Gabe Infante will join the Blue Devil gridiron program and serve as the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator. Infante will also coach Duke's defensive tackles.
Infante reunites with Diaz after the pair worked together on the defensive staff at Penn State University for the previous two seasons (2022-23). He brings over 25 years of coaching experience to Durham, including 11 years spent as a head coach at the high school level. Infante's resume includes a ranked Power 5 bowl game win, four Pennsylvania state championships, and over 30 collegiate wins over the last five years.
While a high school head coach, Infante led his teams to a 104-31 (.770) all-time ledger in 11 seasons and earned 2018 National High School Coaches Association and Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year honors. Additionally, he was tabbed the 2017 U.S. Army Bowl National Coach of the Year, while also accumulating multiple regional and league coach of the year accolades.
Infante comes to Durham after a two-year stint (2022-23) as a defensive analyst and analytics coordinator at Penn State. During his time in Happy Valley under head coach James Franklin and defensive coordinator Diaz, Infante helped the Nittany Lions to a 21-5 (.808) record and back-to-back bowl appearances, including a 35-21 Rose Bowl win over No. 8 Utah to cap the 2022 season.
Penn State's defense was one of the top units in the nation during that two-year stretch, as the Nittany Lions ranked in the top-25 in third down defense, fumbles recovered, passes intercepted, rushing defense, scoring defense, sacks, tackles for loss, total defense, turnover margin, and turnovers gained. Additionally, Penn State ranked first in the country in first down defense (181), rushing defense (75.5), sacks (3.77 per game), tackles for loss (8.5 per game) and turnover margin (+1.23), second in total defense (247.6), third in scoring defense (13.5), fifth in fumbles recovered (12), seventh in passing yards allowed (172.1), 10th in third down conversion defense (.302), 11th in passing efficiency defense (116.44) and 12th in turnovers gained (24) last season.
Prior to his time at Penn State, Infante served three seasons (2019-21) as the recruiting coordinator and running backs coach at Temple University. While with the Owls, Infante helped in the development of Re'Mahn Davis, who rushed for 936 yards and eight touchdowns on 193 carries in 2019. Davis was the Owls' leading rusher, ranked second in school history among freshmen in every rushing category, and earned Freshman All-America recognition.
Before his collegiate coaching career began, Infante spent 22 years at the high school level as both a head coach and defensive coordinator in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
From 2010-18, Infante served as the head coach at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. In addition to those duties, he also spent time as the Hawks' associate athletic director, senior athlete advisor, head strength and conditioning coach and associate development officer. During the nine-year span with St. Joseph's Prep, he turned the Hawks into a perennial powerhouse, compiling a 93-21 (.816) overall record with two 6A Pennsylvania State Championships (2016 & 2018) and two 4A Pennsylvania State Championships (2013 & 2014). Over his last three seasons, the Hawks were an impressive 40-1 with two state championships. St. Joseph's Prep also claimed the District 12 City Championship on five occasions (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018) and the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship four times (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018).
Infante coached the Hawks to eight winnings seasons, including six years with 10-plus wins and two years with an undefeated record. St. Joseph's Prep was continually nationally ranked during his tenure and held a No. 1 national ranking in the state of Pennsylvania in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Individually, Infante had a hand in the develop of numerous student-athletes during his time as a Hawk, including cornerback John Reid (class of 2015), offensive line Jon Runyan Jr., (class of 2015), running back D'Andre Swift (class of 2017 and wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (class of 2015), who all went on to have successful NFL careers. Additionally, class of 2020 members wide receiver Mavin Harrison Jr. and quarterback Kyle McCord were instrumental in the Hawks' victory over Harrisburg High School in the 2018 state championship game. McCord and Harrison Jr., both went on to help lead Ohio State University to a 33-6 three-year record with three bowl appearances, including a 48-45 victory over No. 11 Utah in the 2021 Rose Bowl.
Infante made his head coaching debut in 2008 when he took the reins of Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, N.J. He spent two seasons with the Paladins and compiled an 11-10 overall record.
He also made three other coaching stops while in the Garden State. He spent two seasons (2006-07) at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J., and three years (2003-05) at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, N.J., serving as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Prior to that, Infante served six years (1997-2002) as the defensive coordinator at Memorial High School in West New York, N.J.
Infante was a four-year member (1991-94) and three-year letterwinner at safety for the College of Holy Cross, where he helped the Crusaders to 23 wins, including a Patriot League title in 1991. He compiled 87 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions, one caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries throughout this career. In addition, he earned the 1994 Connor Award, which is presented annually to the Holy Cross senior who, by a vote of the varsity squad, is named the person the players are most proud of as a teammate.
A native of West New York, N.J., Infante graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from Holy Cross in 1995. He later went on to earn his juris doctor from New York Law School in 1999. He is a licensed attorney in the state of New Jersey and spent six years practicing law before committing fully to coaching.
Infante is married to the former Tamara Defelice, of Philadelphia, and they are the parents of four children, Karysa, Gabriella, Gabriel, and Sofia.
Infante was a member of USA Football's Advisory Committee and was a master trainer in USA Football's Heads Up program. Infante traveled around the country conducting player safety clinics and helped promote the program's techniques and benefits to youth and high school coaches. He worked national clinics for Nike, Glazier, and Hammer Strength and has been published by American Football Monthly. Additionally, he served as head coach of the 2017 U-17 national team and coached in three national high school postseason games – the U.S. National Team International Bowl in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (2010), the U.S. National Team World Championships in Austin, Texas (2012), and the U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio, Texas (2013).
THE GABE INFANTE FILE
Hometown: West New York, N.J.,
Education: Holy Cross, 1995 (Political Science) and New York Law School, 1999 (Juris Doctor)
Wife: Tamara
Children: Karysa, Gabriella, Gabriel, and Sofia
Birthday: Jan. 30, 1973
INFANTE'S COACHING CAREER
#GoDuke
Infante reunites with Diaz after the pair worked together on the defensive staff at Penn State University for the previous two seasons (2022-23). He brings over 25 years of coaching experience to Durham, including 11 years spent as a head coach at the high school level. Infante's resume includes a ranked Power 5 bowl game win, four Pennsylvania state championships, and over 30 collegiate wins over the last five years.
While a high school head coach, Infante led his teams to a 104-31 (.770) all-time ledger in 11 seasons and earned 2018 National High School Coaches Association and Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year honors. Additionally, he was tabbed the 2017 U.S. Army Bowl National Coach of the Year, while also accumulating multiple regional and league coach of the year accolades.
Infante comes to Durham after a two-year stint (2022-23) as a defensive analyst and analytics coordinator at Penn State. During his time in Happy Valley under head coach James Franklin and defensive coordinator Diaz, Infante helped the Nittany Lions to a 21-5 (.808) record and back-to-back bowl appearances, including a 35-21 Rose Bowl win over No. 8 Utah to cap the 2022 season.
Penn State's defense was one of the top units in the nation during that two-year stretch, as the Nittany Lions ranked in the top-25 in third down defense, fumbles recovered, passes intercepted, rushing defense, scoring defense, sacks, tackles for loss, total defense, turnover margin, and turnovers gained. Additionally, Penn State ranked first in the country in first down defense (181), rushing defense (75.5), sacks (3.77 per game), tackles for loss (8.5 per game) and turnover margin (+1.23), second in total defense (247.6), third in scoring defense (13.5), fifth in fumbles recovered (12), seventh in passing yards allowed (172.1), 10th in third down conversion defense (.302), 11th in passing efficiency defense (116.44) and 12th in turnovers gained (24) last season.
Prior to his time at Penn State, Infante served three seasons (2019-21) as the recruiting coordinator and running backs coach at Temple University. While with the Owls, Infante helped in the development of Re'Mahn Davis, who rushed for 936 yards and eight touchdowns on 193 carries in 2019. Davis was the Owls' leading rusher, ranked second in school history among freshmen in every rushing category, and earned Freshman All-America recognition.
Before his collegiate coaching career began, Infante spent 22 years at the high school level as both a head coach and defensive coordinator in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
From 2010-18, Infante served as the head coach at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. In addition to those duties, he also spent time as the Hawks' associate athletic director, senior athlete advisor, head strength and conditioning coach and associate development officer. During the nine-year span with St. Joseph's Prep, he turned the Hawks into a perennial powerhouse, compiling a 93-21 (.816) overall record with two 6A Pennsylvania State Championships (2016 & 2018) and two 4A Pennsylvania State Championships (2013 & 2014). Over his last three seasons, the Hawks were an impressive 40-1 with two state championships. St. Joseph's Prep also claimed the District 12 City Championship on five occasions (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018) and the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship four times (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018).
Infante coached the Hawks to eight winnings seasons, including six years with 10-plus wins and two years with an undefeated record. St. Joseph's Prep was continually nationally ranked during his tenure and held a No. 1 national ranking in the state of Pennsylvania in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Individually, Infante had a hand in the develop of numerous student-athletes during his time as a Hawk, including cornerback John Reid (class of 2015), offensive line Jon Runyan Jr., (class of 2015), running back D'Andre Swift (class of 2017 and wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (class of 2015), who all went on to have successful NFL careers. Additionally, class of 2020 members wide receiver Mavin Harrison Jr. and quarterback Kyle McCord were instrumental in the Hawks' victory over Harrisburg High School in the 2018 state championship game. McCord and Harrison Jr., both went on to help lead Ohio State University to a 33-6 three-year record with three bowl appearances, including a 48-45 victory over No. 11 Utah in the 2021 Rose Bowl.
Infante made his head coaching debut in 2008 when he took the reins of Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, N.J. He spent two seasons with the Paladins and compiled an 11-10 overall record.
He also made three other coaching stops while in the Garden State. He spent two seasons (2006-07) at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J., and three years (2003-05) at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, N.J., serving as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Prior to that, Infante served six years (1997-2002) as the defensive coordinator at Memorial High School in West New York, N.J.
Infante was a four-year member (1991-94) and three-year letterwinner at safety for the College of Holy Cross, where he helped the Crusaders to 23 wins, including a Patriot League title in 1991. He compiled 87 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions, one caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries throughout this career. In addition, he earned the 1994 Connor Award, which is presented annually to the Holy Cross senior who, by a vote of the varsity squad, is named the person the players are most proud of as a teammate.
A native of West New York, N.J., Infante graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from Holy Cross in 1995. He later went on to earn his juris doctor from New York Law School in 1999. He is a licensed attorney in the state of New Jersey and spent six years practicing law before committing fully to coaching.
Infante is married to the former Tamara Defelice, of Philadelphia, and they are the parents of four children, Karysa, Gabriella, Gabriel, and Sofia.
Infante was a member of USA Football's Advisory Committee and was a master trainer in USA Football's Heads Up program. Infante traveled around the country conducting player safety clinics and helped promote the program's techniques and benefits to youth and high school coaches. He worked national clinics for Nike, Glazier, and Hammer Strength and has been published by American Football Monthly. Additionally, he served as head coach of the 2017 U-17 national team and coached in three national high school postseason games – the U.S. National Team International Bowl in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (2010), the U.S. National Team World Championships in Austin, Texas (2012), and the U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio, Texas (2013).
THE GABE INFANTE FILE
Hometown: West New York, N.J.,
Education: Holy Cross, 1995 (Political Science) and New York Law School, 1999 (Juris Doctor)
Wife: Tamara
Children: Karysa, Gabriella, Gabriel, and Sofia
Birthday: Jan. 30, 1973
INFANTE'S COACHING CAREER
- 2024-pres. – Duke (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Tackles)
- 2022-23 – Penn State (Defensive Analyst and Analytics Coordinator)
- 2019-21 – Temple (Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs)
- 2012-18 – St. Joseph's Prep [Pa.] (Head Coach/Associate Athletic Director)
- 2010-11 – St. Joseph's Prep [Pa.] (Head Coach)
- 2008-09 – Paramus Catholic High School [N.J.] (Head Coach)
- 2006-07 – Bergen Catholic High School [N.J.] (Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach)
- 2003-05 – Queen of Peace High School [N.J.] (Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach)
- 1997-2002 – Memorial High School [N.J.] (Defensive Coordinator)
#GoDuke
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