Recruiting Areas
Jon Drach begins his 11th season on the Hobart coaching staff and third season as the offensive coordinator. The former Western Michigan University starting quarterback mentors the Statesmen signal callers while handling the offensive play-calling.
Last season, Drach and his offense rewrote the Hobart record book, creating new season standards for pass attempts (445), completions (267), passing yards (3,461), passing touchdowns (36), and passing yards per game (314.6). The Statesmen were third in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.73), 17th in turnovers lost (12), and 19th in passing offense. Brandon Shed became the first Hobart wide receiver to earn D3football.com All-America honors (first team). Likewise, Shane Sweeney became the first Statesman quarterback to garner D3football.com All-America recognition (honorable mention).
Drach’s quarterbacks have earned seven All-Liberty League awards, including Sweeney who is the reigning Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year. Last season, Sweeney completed 266 passes for 3,436 yards and 36 touchdowns, all Hobart season records. In addition, he broke the Statesmen game record for completions with 32 against Merchant Marine and became the first Hobart QB to throw for more than 400 yards in a game more than once, posting 420 yards at Brockport and 416 yards against the Mariners.
In 2015, Hobart led the Liberty League and ranked 34th in the nation in red zone offense (.833) and finished second in the league in scoring offense (27.6 ppg). Drach worked closely with Sweeney in his first season as a starter. In his final four games, he completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 1,059 yards and 15 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Sweeney broke the Hobart game record with six passing touchdowns in the finale at Rochester.
In 2010, Drach’s quarterbacks led the Liberty League in passing yards, yards per completion, yards per attempt, passing efficiency, and passing touchdowns. In his first collegiate start, Nick Strang ’14 threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 93 yards, including the game-winning touchdown against Union. He broke the Hobart game records for total offense yards and total offense yards per play and tied the mark for TD passes.
In 2011, Strang again tied the game record with five TD passes at St. John Fisher on his way to All-Liberty League honorable mention. Strang capped his collegiate career by leading the Statesmen to a record 12 straight wins and earning All-Liberty League second team accolades. He graduated fourth on Hobart’s career passing list with 3,914 yards, first in career completion percentage (58.9), and third in career touchdown passes (36).
A 2004 graduate of Western Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in business finance and economics, Drach earned a spot on the Dean’s List six times, was a two-time MAC All-Academic Team selection, and received the Broncos’ 2003 John Gill Scholar-Athlete Award.
A native of St. Charles, Ill., Drach was a member of the 2000 Broncos squad that won the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. A three-year starter, he enjoyed his finest year as a senior, completing a single season record 67 percent of his passes for 1,499 yards and 13 TDs.
Drach and his wife, Janelle, live in Waterloo with their children, Caleb and Addison.
