Thomas (Tom) Rebholz, Jr. is entering his second season as Defensive Coordinator at Fairmont State University. Rebholz arrived at Fairmont State after a four-year stint as linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at the University of Findlay.
During his first season leading the Fairmont State defense, the Falcons ranked 38th in the country in total defense (320.0) and fifth in the country against the run at just 77.7 yards per game allowed. The Falcons also ranked eighth in the country in first-down defense, and the unit's 15 interceptions ranked 27th in NCAA Division II. Four members of the Fairmont State defense earned All-Mountain East Conference honors in 2019, including a trio of first-team selections (D.J. Adediwura, Trevon Shorts, and Michael Porter. Porter also earned honorable mention All-America honors from the Don Hansen Gazette.
During the 2019 season, Fairmont State's rush defense held opponents to negative yards on the ground twice (at Concord, at Urbana).
Prior to his tenure at Findlay, Rebholz spent five seasons at California University of Pennsylvania as safeties coach. Rebholz coached Fairmont State Athletics Hall of Famer Dewey McDonald during his senior season at Cal (PA), helping the standout safety earn All-America honors for the third time in his career (twice at Fairmont State, once at Cal U).
During the 2018 season at Findlay, Rebholz helped the Oilers to an 8-3 record as the team ranked first in the conference in total defense and rushing defense.
In 2017, Findlay spent most of the year ranked in the top-25 and earned the program's first trip to the NCAA Division II National Playoffs. Rebholz coached sophomore Isaac Miles to a first team all-conference selection and helped guide the Oilers' defense to a conference-best 19.2 points per game allowed.
During the 2016 season, the Oilers defense held their opponents to 26.0 points per game, the lowest total since 2009. The team's 70 tackles-for-loss and 25 sacks were both the most since 2013 and the 386.3 yards per game allowed were 82 less yards per game than the season prior.
In his first season at Findlay, Rebholz coached and developed an all-conference linebacker. Rebholz also helped guide 12 of his linebackers to GPAs over 3.00 with the group's average coming in at 3.26.
Rebholz came to the Oilers after five years at California University (Pa.) where he helped the team compile a 43-14 record during his tenure.
While with the Vulcans, Rebholz served as a safeties coach and assisted with the development of four all-conference safeties. Two of those safeties were All-Americans Rontez Miles and Dewey McDonald. Miles was a two-time PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year before being invited to the 2013 NFL Combine and later signed with the New York Jets. McDonald signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts following his senior season at Cal.
Along with the individual success for his players, Rebholz coached the Vulcans to team success. During his time as safeties coach, the defense finished seasons with seven top-ten national rankings in areas such as rushing defense, passing touchdowns allowed, passing yards allowed, and total defense.
Prior to Cal U, Rebholz served as an assistant coach at Pikeville (Ky.), an NAIA program. He also previously served as a graduate assistant with Duquesne in 2008. While with the Dukes, he worked with the tight ends and also assisted with the strength & conditioning program.
A native of Pittsburgh, Rebholz joined the Vulcans after being a four-year letterman at rival IUP from 1998-2001. With the Crimson Hawks, he was a fullback for a program that posted a 35-11 record and appeared in four-straight NCAA Playoffs. As a senior, he received the Tim Singel Program Award (formerly the Coaches Award).
Following his playing days with the Crimson Hawks, he was a student assistant at IUP in 2002 before coaching as an assistant at Gettysburg in 2003.
Rebholz graduated from IUP in 2003 as a double major in physical education and sport and business administration. He was a three-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete as a player at IUP.
He also earned a Master’s of Science Degree in Professional Leadership from Duquesne University in 2009.
Thomas and his wife Julie have two children, Sophia and Stella.
