Head Coach Tom Perkovich

Head Coach Tom Perkovich Tom Perkovich, referred to by many as Coach Perk, was hired as the 30th head coach in Susquehanna University history in 2015 and completed his tenth year at the helm in 2024. During his tenure at SU, Perkovich has turned the Susquehanna University football team into an East Region power, winning 51 games in the last five seasons and at least nine wins in each of them. The 2024 season was the finest in program history as Susquehanna reached the NCAA Division III Semifinals, matched only one other time by the 1991 team, while setting a program record for season wins with a 12-2 overall record.

The River Hawks are routinely in the D3football.com and AFCA Top 25 polls, while SU has qualified for the postseason in each of the last four seasons with Perkovich at the helm. A superb recruiter and offensive mind, Perkovich prides his teams on having a gritty, poised and aggressive style, bringing a balanced attacking style on both offense and defense.

At Susquehanna as Head Coach

73-22 overall record at the helm of the River Hawks
12-0 Landmark Conference mark
46-17 Centennial Conference mark
4-0 in Centennial/MAC Bowl Series contests, outscoring opposition 182-61 (+121)
8-0 in Goal Post Trophy Rivalry Game vs. Juniata
7-1 in Stagg Hat Trophy Rivalry Game vs. Lycoming
7-2 on Homecoming
Ranked in the D3football.com Top 25 Poll 51 weeks during his tenure
Ranked as high as #6 in D3football.com and AFCA Coaches Poll in 2024.
37 All-Landmark Conference recipients
62 All-Centennial Conference recipients
19 D3football.com All-Region selections
2 Landmark Offensive Player of the Year
2 Landmark Defensive Player of the Year
1 Landmark Rookie of the Year
2 Centennial Rookie of the Year picks
4 AFCA All-America selections
1 D3football.com All-America selection
Second all-time at Susquehanna in career wins
Coached two of the top four seasons at SU for wins in program history (2019, 2021)
17th in winning percentage among active head coaches with six or more seasons
5 straight six or more win seasons in the Centennial Conference
30-8 home record while at SU
23 straight regular season wins from 2021-24, a school record
15 straight wins from 2019-2021, a school record
23 straight games without a regulation loss from 2018-21, a school record
13 straight home wins from 2018-21

Program Milestones

23 straight regular season wins from 2021-present, a school record
15 straight wins from 2019-2021, a school record
23 straight games without a regulation loss from 2018-21, a school record
Statistical Season Team Records
Season points, 2019 (476)
- Total TDs, 2019 (66)
- Rushing TDs, 2019 (32)
- Passing Yardage, 2019 (2668)
- Passing Completions, 2021 (215)
- Passing TDs, 2021 (31)
- Total Offense, 2019 (4686)
- XPs, 2019 (59)
- FGs, 2019 (13)
Best winning percentage of any school in Centennial/MAC Bowl Series (4-0)
88 points vs. Wilkes in 2019 was third-most ever at SU
14 All-Centennial Conference honorees in 2019, most ever
20 All-Landmark Conference selections in 2024, most ever

Previous Coaching Experience

→ Muhlenberg College (2003-04, 2006-14)

Offensive Coordinator (2010-2014)
Offensive Line Coach/Special Teams Coordinator (2006-2010)
Running Backs Coach (2003-04)

→ Colgate University (2006)

Running Backs Coach (2006)

→ Holy Cross (2005)

Tight Ends Coach (2005)

Personal

Native of Tonawanda, NY
Two-sport athlete at Division I Canisius College in Buffalo, NY
Four-year member of both the football and basketball teams
All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference offensive lineman for Golden Griffins
Earned Football Gazette Division I-AA Mid-Major All-American Second Team
Team MVP as a senior
Lives in Mifflinburg, PA with wife Brandi and children Georgia, Trey, and Reed.