New Stony Brook football coach injects youth into team

This is the first time Billy Cosh has been a head coach. He replaced Chuck Priore, who led the Seawolves for 17 seasons.

Kevin Maher

Sep 7, 2024, 12:36 AM

Updated 38 days ago

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After a winless season, the Stony Brook football team needed a major boost.
The players say new head coach Billy Cosh has delivered it.
"I love the energy that he has," said wide receiver Chance Knox, who transferred from the Virginia Military Institute and was coached by Cosh at that school, too.
Other players use the words "refreshing" and "fun" when asked about the atmosphere Cosh has created in just nine months on the job.
"Football is football at the end of the day. But it's how you do it and how you run it," said Cosh while chatting with News 12's Kevin Maher.
This is the first time Cosh has been a head coach. He replaced Chuck Priore, who led the Seawolves for 17 seasons.
Cosh, who also made coaching stops at Richmond and Western Michigan, is 32-years old, making him the second youngest Division-I head coach in the nation.
His players said Cosh's youth makes him relatable.
"It hasn't been too long since he's done this and that's one of best things about having a young head coach," said senior lineman Taylor Bolesta.
"First thing I asked our guys was how do you want to be coached. I asked every single player that and how they envisioned that," said Cosh.
"It's just awesome how much of a friend he can be to you," said senior tight end Cole Bunicci, who played high school football at Connetquot High School in Bohemia.
Elements of Cosh's "fun" style can be seen at his up-tempo practices, where music is played during most drills.
Together, Cosh and his players will try to bring a winning tune back to campus after winning just two games in the past two years.
"He wants to win, and we want to do it with him. That's what we are here for," said Bunicci.