UNH fans woke up to some pretty stunning news on Saturday morning.

Longtime head coach and former Wildcat Rock Santos is leaving to become the head coach of the Ivy League’s Penn Quakers.

Santos led the Wildcats to a 37–24 overall record and a 28–12 record in the CAA over his five seasons as head coach. UNH earned  NCAA FCS Playoff berths in 2022, 2024, and 2025 under Santos. In his first season, UNH won share of the CAA title, got up to No. 15 in the national rankings and reached the second round of the FCS playoffs before a tough loss to Holy Cross.

“I am incredibly excited and humbled by the opportunity to lead the football program at the University of Pennsylvania,” Santos said in a statement. “Penn represents excellence at the highest level — academically, athletically, and institutionally — and I am grateful for the trust placed in me to steward such a proud and prestigious program. The chance to work with outstanding student-athletes at a world-class institution, while competing for championships and developing leaders for life, is truly special. I cannot wait to begin this next chapter and fully embrace the Penn football community.”

Santos is as UNH as it gets, the former QB won the 2006 Walter Payton Award as the nation’s top offensive player in FCS (I-AA). He was also the wide receivers coach and punt return coordinator (2013-15), associate head coach and quarterbacks coach (2018-2021). His first crack at being the UNH head coach came when he held the interim tag 2019.

“I’m thankful for Rick’s leadership and service to UNH, and our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” UNH athletics director Allison Rich said in a prepared statement. “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.”

Santos held an emotional Zoom call with his now former UNH players on Saturday morning.

Defensive coordinator Scott James – who was on the Holy Cross staff that beat Santos’ Wildcats in 2022 – has been named the interim head coach for now. UNH administration has begun a national search, but James could very well end up keeping the role given his experience and ability to connect with players.

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