Ronnie Pentz enters his third season as the special teams coordinator with the New Mexico State football program in 2020.
The Aggies' special teams unit took tremendous steps forward after Pentz joined the coaching staff ahead of the 2018 campaign. Jason Huntley returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in the first season under Pentz's tutelage, earning fourth-team All-America honors from Phil Steele.
Before arriving at NM State, Pentz spent the previous five seasons at FCS powerhouse San Diego as the special teams and tight ends coach. During his tenure with the Toreros, the special teams unit was one of the best in the Pioneer Football League.Â
Pentz also played a key role in the development of tight end Ross Dwelley, who earned All-PFL recognition in back-to-back years (2014-15). In 2015, Dwelley was named San Diego’s Most Improved Offensive Player, leading all Torero receivers with 54 receptions for 580 yards (10.7 avg.) and 3 touchdowns.
Prior to San Diego, the Stone Mountain, Ga., native spent four seasons on the staff at Southern Utah, where he served as the special teams co-coordinator and as the tight ends coach.
In 2012, the Thunderbirds ranked seventh in the nation in net punting with a 38.5 yard average. Kicker Colton Cook was an AP All-American, finishing second in the nation in field goals made (19-for-22), including a perfect 14-for-14 mark from inside 40 yards.
Southern Utah tight end Henna Brown earned All-Big Sky Conference honors, catching 35 passes for 414 yards in 2012.
The Thunderbirds ranked second in the nation in net punting during the 2011 campaign, averaging 39.1 yards per punt while limiting opponents to an average of 6.3 yards per punt return. Tight end Abbel Aiono earned first-team All-Great West Conference honors after catching 28 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2010, Pentz oversaw a special teams unit that ranked 14th in the nation in kickoff return yardage defense. Kicker Brock Miller blossomed under his coaching, leading the team in scoring with 7.0 points per game and earning All-GWC honors.
Pentz also worked as an assistant on the defensive side of the ball, primarily with Southern Utah's linebackers. In 2009, Pentz mentored four-time All-GWC linebacker Robert Takeno, who led the team with 98 tackles.
A 2008 graduate from San Diego, Pentz was a first-team All-American as a senior as well as a two-time first-team All-PFL performer at linebacker for the Toreros. As a senior, Pentz was second on the squad in tackles with 80, including 45 solo stops and 4.5 sacks.
Pentz also excelled in the classroom, earning academic All-PFLÂ recognition all four years he played for the Toreros.
