Recruiting Areas: Northern Ohio, Michigan, Illinois
Christian Pace begins fifth season on John Garrett's staff and third as the offensive line coach.
In the spring of 2021, Pace presided over an offensive line that produced two All-Patriot League Second-Team selections in senior John Burk and Gavin Barclay. Pace will have Barclay, who has started every game during his career, back for a fifth season to anchor the offensive line.
His first season in charge of the Leopard front five saw senior Jake Marotti earn All-Patriot League First Team honors while juniors Gavin Barclay and John Burk achieved second-team status. That trio was integral to the offense's success, including finishing second in the Patriot League with 137.7 rushing yards per game in conference play. The Leopard offense added 5.4 points, 26.2 rushing yards and 51.4 passing yards per game from its 2018 output.
Pace also worked in freshmen Nathan Slater (10) and Alex Barshaba (2), who combined to start all 12 games at left guard, along with sophomore center Joe Grundhoffer who was one of three linemen who started every game.
Pace spent 2017 and 2018 as the Leopards' tight ends/fullbacks coach. His inaugural campaign on College Hill oversaw the continued development of tight end Dylan Wadsworth, the team's offensive MVP, and fullback Will Eisler. Both earned All-Patriot League First-Team honors in 2017 while Eisler again garnered All-Patriot First-Team honors in 2018.
Wadsworth was second on the team with 41 receptions for 293 yards and one touchdown. At the conclusion of the 2017 season, he was named the team's offensive MVP for a second straight season. Eisler played in 11 games with four starts. Used primarily as a lead blocker and pass protector, he found his way into the offensive game plan, catching eight passes for 72 yards while also managing three kick returns.
Pace came to Lafayette fresh off a two-year coaching stint at the University of Florida. The Avon Lake, Ohio native coached the tight ends in 2016 and the offensive line in 2015 as a graduate assistant coach on Jim McElwain's staff in Gainesville, Fla. The Gators won the SEC East Division in 2015 and 2016, making appearances in the 2016 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and the 2017 Outback Bowl.
Pace played football at the University of Michigan, but injuries kept him off the field. He stayed with the program as a student assistant coach on the offensive line (2011-13) and with the running backs (2014). Pace coached current Green Bay Packers fullback Joe Kerridge and aided in the development of Associated Press First-Team All-Americans, David Molk and Taylor Lewan (currently with the Tennessee Titans) and Denver Broncos' third-round pick Michael Schofield. During his time in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Wolverines advanced to the 2012 Sugar Bowl, 2013 Outback Bowl and the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
Pace graduated From Michigan with a bachelor's degree in Movement Science in 2014 and completed his master's degree in Sport Management from Florida in 2017. His brother, Ian, spent seven seasons on the coaching staff at his alma mater, Fordham, before coaching at at Mississippi State. He is currently the offensive coordinator at St. John Fisher.
