Not too long ago, Ryan DiVergilis was making calls from the field.
Now, he’s making the same calls from the sideline.
DiVergilis, a 2020 graduate of Archbishop Wood High School, was a star hybrid defensive back and linebacker at Ursinus College.
While there, he not only became a key player for the Bears, he became a true leader and student of the game.
So much so, that last year in his first year after his playing days, he served as the defensive backs coach.
This year, he’s taking another huge step.
DiVergilis is replacing his former high school coach Steve Devlin as the defensive coordinator for Ursinus.
The Somerton resident is ready for the challenge, and he credits a lot of people for getting him ready for the position.
“It’s been a whirlwind, I didn’t know it would be open, and even after I knew (Devlin) was leaving, I had no idea I would be picked,” DiVergilis said. “I was in a scramble, what is going to happen? I’m in grad school at Temple, would I still be able to work and pay for grad school? A lot was going on around Christmas time.”
A phone call from Ursinus coach Peter Gallagher changed everything.
“Coach Gallagher called me on a Sunday and I was taken back, it was such a great opportunity for me,” DiVergilis said. “I thought about it, it’s a lot of responsibility, I wanted to make sure I could give it my all with grad school. Handle it pretty well. I did it last year other than calling the plays, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to coach at a place I love.”
The job opened because Devlin, an Archbishop Ryan grad and former Vikings coach who left prior to DiVergilis’ senior year at Wood, is leaving Ursinus to take the head coaching job at Alvernia.
But also coaching at Ursinus with DiVergilis will be Kyle Adkins, who will coach the linebackers this year. He was DiVergilis’ coach at Wood during his senior season.
The new gig is perfectly fit for the former athlete, who has played with some of the guys he’ll now be coaching.
Considering he was almost like a coach on the field during his final years at Ursinus, it won’t be much of an adjustment.
“I’m really grateful Coach Gallagher and Devlin gave me that opportunity to take on that role last year, it was much needed to do what I’m doing now,” DiVergilis said. “I wouldn’t be in this position right now without that promotion. Take on my own room and understand the defense as a whole. Still learning a lot of new things, and you have to evolve each year to create an advantage. I’m learning and extremely grateful to do that this year because it made me a better coach and understand more about the game.”
It is a huge leap, but it’s one DiVergilis is ready for.
You could tell even when he was a player that, although he was a great athlete, he was a student of the game. Now he just has to find his footing and become the coach Ursinus needs him to be.
“I think it’s a great way to build relationships because you just went through everything, I just played with some of these guys,” Devlin said. “You have to draw a line as coach in the relationship, but you’re still seeing the same stuff from the same teams. That helps. Also having the ability to step back and understand it from a player’s standpoint. When they’re tired, when they’re burnt out, you get it. You were just there. You build that trust, take a step back and that’s what Coach Devilin instilled with me. You need to have communication with your players. I’ve built that with some guys, but you have to do it each year.”
The journey from player to defensive coordinator has been a fun one, and one that DiVergilis worked extremely hard for, but he’s quick to pass out praise for those who helped him.
“I’m lucky to have had so many great relationships with great coaches,” he said. “I talked to my first football coach, John Donahue. I talk to him, Coach Deviln, Coach Adkins, even not being here, he’s guided me along life decisions. Huge part of me taking the job. But it all reverts back to my parents. They’re my best coaches.
“My parents are always there, they come to everything. My dad is always there to talk to and my mom always said we did great. I have a lot of guys, I definitely, and I think that’s what this sport gives you, relationship. Devlin always says you won’t remember the wins and losses, but relationships and friendships last forever. That’s stuck with me throughout the whole process. I can call Coach Devlin and call all my coaches. And my cousin and my parents. They all play a huge part in this, and they helped me relax and kind of stay present in the moment.”
