Zach Feltrop joined the Valpo football program in December 2024 as the team's defensive coordinator.
Feltrop spent the last six seasons at Marietta College, serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under head coach Andy Waddle. Under his leadership, the Pioneers ranked first in the country in third-down conversion defense at .250 in 2024. Other notable rankings for this past season include first-down defense (153, first in OAC, 23rd nationally), interceptions (15, second in OAC, 26th nationally), passing yards allowed (158.8, first in OAC, 24th nationally), red-zone defense (.613, first OAC, 12th nationally), rushing defense (77.3, first OAC, 18th nationally), sacks per game (3.18, second in OAC, 16th nationally), tackles for loss (7.5 per game, second in OAC, 28th nationally), total defense (236.1, first in OAC, 10th nationally), turnovers forced (0.22 per game, first in OAC, 30th nationally) and more.
Feltrop instructed four conference Defensive Lineman of the Year honorees in a five-year period – Drake Neuberger in 2020, Kyle Gallagher shared with Neuberger in 2021 and Chance Knight in 2023 and 2024. In addition, Feltrop coached Harley Hopkins, who was named the conference’s Linebacker of the Year in 2024. The Pioneers finished .500 or better in five of Feltrop’s six seasons on staff. The program posted a 34-22 record during his tenure including a 16-5 mark over the last two campaigns.
Prior to his successful six-year stay at Marietta, Feltrop served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Division-III Geneva College of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, for eight seasons. He joined the Golden Tornado staff as linebackers coach in 2011, and took on the added responsibility of junior varsity coach in 2013 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2015. He coached 25 all-conference picks and had five players earn either National Christian College Athletic Association or Eastern College Athletic Conference All-American honors.
A four-year varsity letter winner at Geneva, Feltrop was a three-year starter at linebacker and served as team captain during his senior campaign. He earned all-conference honors three times and was twice named an NCCAA All-American. Feltrop led the Golden Tornadoes in tackles in three of his four seasons. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in marketing from Geneva in 2008.
What They’re Saying About Coach Feltrop
Alan Estep, Case Western Reserve University Offensive Line Coach: “From both the opposing and same sideline as Zach, you notice just how much he identifies the strengths and weaknesses of his players and builds his defense to allow players to play at their highest level. His defenses play with the same competitive drive, grit and determination that he has and they always fly to the football. When they get to it, they get there angry.”
Geno DeMarco, Geneva College Head Coach: “Zach is relentless in preparation, earning the trust of his players by being truthful in expectation and evaluation. He gets the most out of his players, and they know he cares for them beyond the field. He is one of the toughest players I have coached in 32 years!”
