Bobby Acosta

Bobby Acosta, who spent the last two seasons at Del Valle High near Austin, Texas, has been named UAPB's new offensive coordinator/wide receiver coach.

Acosta comes to Golden Lion Nation with more than 20 years of experience and is known around the country for recruiting top-talent and being an offensive play-calling mastermind.

In the world of offensive football, the goal is to win a championship, score points, and increase offensive production while having fun, Acosta did just that with IMG Academy.

In his first season at IMG Academy, Acosta's program went undefeated and was named the consensus No. 1 team in the nation and the title of "National Champs" for the 2020 season. Offensively, IMG Academy averaged 42 points per game, leading the nation in 3rd down efficiency and outscoring their opponents 381-82.

"I love scoring points," Acosta said. "That brings a lot of fun to the world of football. We want to spread the ball around and move fast."

Acosta came to IMG Academy from The College of St. Scholastica (Minn.), where he helped guide the Saints to a 7-3 record in 2019 as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Last season, Acosta's offense rewrote the Saints' record book, setting new bests in points scored (340), total touchdowns (46), passing touchdowns (33), and average yards per game (407.5). St. Scholastica also led the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference in passing (3,157 yards), the only program in the conference to surpass the 3,000-yard mark. Scholastica also developed the most productive wideout in the country as Mitch Adrian led the entire nation, all divisions, in receptions with 114 (11.4 per game).

The veteran coach served as the Bucknell University offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2017-2018.

Acosta has been involved in coaching at various levels, from high school to the NFL, for 19 years. Recently, he spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons at Syracuse before moving on to Cornell in 2015. At Syracuse in 2015, he served as the Orange's wide receiver coach and recruiting coordinator, ­where he helped attract 18 three-star recruits, and five players ranked among the top 50 at their positions in the country, according to 247 sports.

Before his stint at Syracuse, Acosta spent one year as head coach at Widener (2013) and five seasons as an assistant coach at TCNJ (2008-12), the last four as offensive coordinator. That came on the heels of two seasons as the tight ends coach at Delaware, where he helped the Blue Hens reach the 2007 FCS National Championship game and assisted in developing future Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Flacco.

Acosta served as head coach at Marlboro HS (2002-04) and Monmouth Regional HS (2006-07), sandwiched around three years as wide receivers coach at TCNJ. He began his coaching career at Rowan (1999-2001) as the team's defensive backs and special teams coach. In addition, he spent the 2008 (Cleveland Browns) and 2010 (New York Jets) NFL preseason in coaching internships.

In his one season as head coach at Widener, the Pride averaged 539.7 yards and 41.8 points per game. At TCNJ, his offense set school records for passing yards (2,491) and completions (269) in a season in 2012. During the 2009 campaign, the offense scored the most points in a single season in program history (309) and yards in a game (708 vs. FDU-Florham).

Acosta played four seasons at Rowan, helping the team to the Stagg Bowl, the Division III national championship game, each year. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in health and exercise science.

Bobby Acosta is a home run hire! He's a phenomenal communicator & teacher and an even better person. -George McDonald. Assistant Head Coach, Pass Game Coordinator, University of Illinois

"Bobby Acosta's offenses will be fun to watch in the SWAC, "said Noel Mazzone, former Texas A&M, Arizona, and Arizona State Offensive Coordinator." "He has won national championships and has produced some great players running the system. I have mentored coach Acosta since the days of the NY Jets. I have watched him grow into one of the best offensive minds I've been around. Can't wait to watch Arkansas- Pine Bluff this year."

"Coach Acosta is a great teacher of the game and life. His offenses are fun and explosive and he will utilize the talent on the roster, "said Saint Anselm University head football coach Joe Adam.

"Coach Hampton and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff have a home run hire with Bobby Acosta. He’s a tremendous asset to the program that will help build success on and off the field for their football program, said Coach Cala, TCU Offensive Analyst / Assistant QBs." Bobby has an incredible football IQ, is one of the best recruiters I’ve been around, and will help develop these young men.

"The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff football family can be excited about having Bobby Acosta represent their fine university, said Mark Tommerdahl TCU Special Teams Coordinator." Acosta brings a wealth of football insight to his new role as the offensive coordinator. He has an extensive background at the college level and one of the most extensive recruiting networks in all of college football. To say coach Acosta is well-connected at all high school and college football levels is an understatement. Get ready to see a higher level of student-athletes competing at your institution, get prepared to see those athletes utilized correctly, and get ready to see the scoreboard light up.