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James elevated to interim head coach

University of New Hampshire director of athletics Allison Rich announced Saturday that Rick Santos has resigned as head football coach to accept the same position at the University of Pennsylvania. Associate head coach and defensive coordinator Scott James has been named interim head coach, and UNH will launch a national search for the next program leader.

“I’m thankful for Rick’s leadership and service to UNH, and our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” Rich said. “Rick’s mentorship and commitment have been impactful in shaping UNH football as a nationally prominent program and elevating the student-athlete experience. As one of the best players to wear a UNH jersey, he is also a Wildcat for Life. I wish him and his family the best.

“I am confident in Scott’s leadership as he guides our program through this transition. UNH football has an outstanding tradition of excellence that will continue long into the future,” Rich added.

James is in his second stint at UNH, completing his seventh season with the Wildcats. He helped UNH to five NCAA playoff trips from 2013–17 as the safeties coach before returning to the program in 2024 after six seasons as the defensive coordinator at Holy Cross, where he coached multiple All-Americans and contributed to four league championships.

Santos, a 2016 UNH Hall of Fame inductee, became the 20th head coach of the UNH football program Dec. 7, 2021, and over four seasons, guided the Wildcats to a 31-19 overall record (.620 win percentage), including a 23-9 mark in CAA Football (.719). The Wildcats were nationally ranked during all four years of his tenure with NCAA playoff appearances in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

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