Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks

Rob Ambrose is in his sixth year as the quarterbacks coach at Connecticut and second as offensive coordinator, coming to Storrs in July 2002 after a one-year stint as the head coach at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Ambrose’s quarterback coaching skill was evident in 2002 as Dan Orlovsky dramatically improved his freshman year stats to post one of the best passing seasons in UConn history. In 2003, with further guidance, Orlovsky shattered several UConn seasonal passing records and ranked amongst the top 10 quarterbacks in the nation of several major passing categories.

Orlovsky, after three years of Ambrose’s tutelage, guided the Huskies through their inaugural season in the BIG EAST Conference in 2004. UConn ranked second in the league in passing offense and the signal caller found himself drafted by the Detroit Lions following the season.

Prior to UConn, Ambrose was responsible for all facets of the Catholic program as the Cardinals posted a 3-7 record in 2001. Before coaching at Catholic, Ambrose was an assistant coach in a variety of capacities at Towson State for eight seasons (1993-2000). Ambrose served as the receivers coach and the recruiting coordinator at Towson for the 1993-97 seasons. From 1994-97 he was also the passing game coordinator. Ambrose served as the quarterbacks coach and was the youngest Division I offensive coordinator in the country from 1998-1999. He also added the title of associate head coach during the 2000 season.

During the 1999 season at Towson State, the Tigers featured the top-ranked passing offense in NCAA Division I-AA with 381.2 yards per game through the air while also ranking fifth in total offense. Towson set school and Patriot League records in 1999 for most passing yards in a game and most passing yards in a season. Towson was ranked sixth in the country in scoring offense in 1993, and in 1994 the Tigers were ranked eighth in scoring offense and ninth in passing offense. Towson State produced five All-Americans at either wide receiver or quarterback under his watch.

Ambrose graduated from Towson State in 1993 with a degree in English. He played football as quarterback and wide receiver at the school until an injury ended his career in the spring of 1992. He served as a student assistant coach at Towson during the 1992 season.

Born in Skokie, Ill., but raised in Middletown, Md., Ambrose and his wife, Melissa, reside in Eastford, Conn., with their seven-year-old daughter, Grace and four-year old son Riley.