Paul Darragh, who spent more than two decades shaping Bloomsburg University’s football program, has died following a long fight with cancer.
The school’s athletic department shared the news on Friday, remembering him as a coach who left a lasting mark on the players and community he served.
Darragh’s time at Bloomsburg spanned 23 seasons. He worked 16 years as defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach for seven seasons, a run that included some of the most successful stretches in the program’s recent history.
A Standout Start as Head Coach
Darragh’s first two years leading the Huskies were especially memorable. The team went 21 and 4 during that stretch, capturing back to back PSAC East titles and reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs both seasons.
In 2013, Bloomsburg won the overall PSAC championship and advanced all the way to the NCAA Super Region One title game. That same year and again in 2014, Darragh earned PSAC East Coach of the Year honors. Over his full tenure as head coach, he finished with a record of 52 wins and 28 losses.
Bloomsburg Athletic Director Michael McFarland said Darragh’s influence stretched well beyond the scoreboard, noting that he dedicated himself to the program for more than twenty years and helped build the identity that defined Bloomsburg football for a generation.
He described Darragh as a coach, mentor and friend to many people in the community and extended condolences to his family.
A Career Built Across Several Programs
Before arriving at Bloomsburg, Darragh built his coaching résumé at several other schools, including stops at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, William Paterson, Gannon, Northeastern and Temple. His path in the sport actually began as a player at Temple, where he started for three seasons and served as team captain.
Current Bloomsburg head coach Frank Sheptock also spoke about working alongside Darragh, calling him a good man who represented everything Husky football stood for. Sheptock said Darragh made an impact both in the classroom and on the field, shaping players well beyond their time on the roster.
Darragh’s legacy at Bloomsburg is tied not just to the championships and winning seasons but to the culture he helped establish within the program, one that current players and coaches still point to today.
His family, former players and colleagues across multiple programs are now remembering a coach whose influence reached far beyond wins and losses.
