Orono, Maine -- University of Maine head football coach Joe Harasymiak has announced a pair of changes to the coaching staff. Brian Picucci has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach while Pat Denecke will take over the offensive line coaching duties.

Picucci, who joined the Black Bears' staff in August of 2016, has 21 years of college coaching experience including six years as an offensive coordinator. Picucci served as the offensive coordinator for four seasons (2009-12) at UMass before one year stints at both Widener University and Becker College. While at UMaine, Picucci oversaw the run game in 2016 before being promoted to offensive line coach/run game coordinator. Under his guidance, the Black Bears produced the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) individual leader in rush yards per game along with All-American offensive lineman Jamil Demby.

"Brian (Picucci) will provide us with great experience and knowledge as our new offensive coordinator," said Harasymiak. "His track record and experience will make this a smooth transition. He has had top offenses in this league while at UMass in the past and we look forward to what he brings to our program in a new role."

Picucci graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1994. While at Syracuse, Picucci earned three varsity letters with the Orange as a fullback/tight end (1989-93) and was a member of four victorious bowl teams (Peach, Aloha, Hall of Fame, Fiesta).

Denecke, a three-year letterman and two-year starter on the offensive line at Washington & Jefferson, came to UMaine in 2016 and has served the last two years as the tight ends coach. Prior to joining the Black Bears, Denecke served as a graduate assistant at Nevada where he assisted with the coaching duties with the offensive line, tight ends and defensive line. Denecke's coaching career began in 2010 at Bethany College, were he spent three seasons as the Bison's offensive line coach.

"Pat (Denecke) will be our new offensive line coach," said Harasymiak. "His work ethic and dedication over the past two years to our program made this an easy call for his promotion. He has tremendous value and we are excited about his new role."

A native of Hamburg, N.Y., Denecke graduated from Washington & Jefferson in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He recently completed a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Nevada in 2015 and also has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bethany College. 

-UMaine-