The UAlbany football program is on the brink of a new era as it prepares for the upcoming season under the guidance of first-year head coach Tom Perkovich. With training camp set to begin next week, the Great Danes are focusing on building a winning culture and improving upon last season’s 2-10 record.
Perkovich, who joined UAlbany from Susquehanna in December, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. His tenure at Susquehanna saw the River Hawks achieve an impressive 84-25 record over a decade, including four NCAA Tournament appearances. Despite the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) coaches predicting a modest 11th-place finish for the Great Danes in the preseason poll, Perkovich remains optimistic about the team’s potential.
Perkovich’s Vision for UAlbany Football
During a virtual media day on Wednesday, Perkovich expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to improve. “We have the ability to be a pretty good football team,” he stated, emphasizing a focus on incremental progress. “We’re trying to just be one game at a time,” he added, setting realistic expectations for the season.
Perkovich’s primary goal is to “move the needle forward from where it was last season.” He acknowledged the challenges ahead but remains committed to positioning the program for long-term success. “I’m not going to sit here and say we’re going to contend for a championship,” he admitted, “but we want to put our program in a position to grow and be a contender.”
The Road Ahead for the Great Danes
The Great Danes will kick off their regular season on August 28 against CAA rival New Hampshire at Casey Stadium in Albany. The team’s offense, which ranked 112th nationally in scoring and 117th in total offense last season, will be a key area of focus. Perkovich has taken on the additional responsibility of offensive play-calling after offensive coordinator Mike Wiand stepped down in June to attend to a personal matter.
“I love calling the plays,” Perkovich shared, highlighting his enthusiasm for the challenge. “When I gave that up two years ago to Mike, that was one of the hardest decisions I made back then. He was ready. … So I’m glad to be back in that chair, to be honest with you. It’s something I love about coaching, is doing the coaching and not just being the game manager, (but) being heavily involved in the outcome.”
Key Players and Expectations
Junior linebacker Dillon Dunathan was the only Great Dane to receive preseason all-CAA recognition, earning an honorable mention. Senior wide receiver Jordan Rae who caught 19 passes last season, is another key player to watch. Rae expressed his confidence in Perkovich’s leadership, noting his successful track record at the Division III level.
“You see that he’s a winner,” Rae said. “He’s won every year at that (Division III) level, and it doesn’t matter what level you’re at – if you’re a winner, you’re a winner.” Perkovich addressed questions about moving from Division III, stating, “It’s just my competitive nature of why I wanted to be up at this level as a head coach, right? Players want to play at the highest level they can. It’s no different for us as coaches. I want to go against the best coaches in the country, which the CAA brings, right?”
The CAA Landscape and Playoff Hopes
The CAA, which added Sacred Heart and lost members Villanova and William & Mary to the Patriot League after last season, remains a competitive conference. The coaches picked Rhode Island to repeat as CAA champion, with MonmouthElonNew Hampshire and Stony Brook rounding out the top five. Only North Carolina A&T and Hampton were chosen below UAlbany.
CAA commissioner Joe D’Antonio expressed confidence in the league’s ability to secure multiple playoff bids. “I think we’re well-positioned for that,” he said. “If there is complete parity in the conference … we might not get multiple bids because everybody’s beating up each other. If you have two to three to four teams that separate themselves at the top, then your chances of getting multiple bids are very high.”
UAlbany is aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since reaching the FCS semifinals in 2026. As the team prepares for the season, the focus remains on building a strong foundation and striving for continuous improvement under Perkovich’s leadership.
