The football team has hired Kevin Farr as its new defensive backs coach, the Athletics Department announced yesterday. Farr comes to Tufts following a nine-season stint as the defensive coordinator at Saint Lawrence University, where he helped lead the Saints to the Liberty League championship and a first-place conference ranking in four defensive categories, including total defense.
Farr takes over a young Jumbos secondary that finished third-worst in the NESCAC for pass defense but was tied for third with 10 interceptions. Sophomore defensive back Sam Diss, a First-Team All-NESCAC selection, will help anchor the unit in the future, along with junior defensive back Nick Falk, who ranked second on the team with 66 tackles and two interceptions.
Farr replaces Pete Carmichael, who retired after three seasons with the Jumbos, leaving behind 45 years of Div. I and professional experience. Interim head coach Jay Civetti began the hiring process shortly after he was named to his current position in mid-January and eventually narrowed down the field before hiring Farr in early March.
"Kevin was at the top of the list and we were obviously thrilled to get him," Civetti said. "You could just tell his passion for the sport and for coaching … he really hit on some of the key notes that we were looking for."
Farr joins Civetti's staff with 12 years of coaching experience. He began his coaching career working with linebackers at Siena College in 1999 and the University of New Hampshire in 2000. Farr then settled down with St. Lawrence in 2001 and has recently enjoyed a four-year wave of success, coaching 18 All-Conference players including two-time All-American defensive tackle Gerard Bryant.
"There are some differences between Division III and Division I and the NFL, in terms of understanding athletes and realizing the different style of coaching," Civetti said. "Here at Tufts we have engineering and pre-med students and their commitments are to the academic life. I think Kevin's already taken off with that and already understands that. It's part of his DNA."
In his short time at Tufts, Farr has already worked extensively with his defensive backs, an encouraging sign for the up-and-coming unit's future.
"I think first and foremost he's already developed a great rapport with the defensive backs; he has a great relationship with the staff already," Civetti said. "I think anytime someone comes from a successful system, the ability to share your thoughts and learn a new system makes it that much better."
