University of Chicago

Todd Gilcrist Jr. was hired as UChicago's head football coach in April 2022. He becomes the 12th head coach in UChicago football history, dating back to the program's inception in 1892.

In Gilcrist's debut season, the 2022 Maroons posted a 7-3 record. The offense rolled up 37.3 points per game, as running back Nicholas D'Ambrose ranked among the best rushers in the nation. D'Ambrose produced the seventh-most rushing yards in school history (1,095 yards) while ranking second nationally in scoring per game (14.2 PPG), fifth in rushing yards per game (136.9 YPG), seventh in rushing touchdowns (17), 11th in total touchdowns (19), 12th in yards per carry (6.6) and 13th in all-purpose yards per game (155.4 YPG). The rushing offense was 17th in NCAA Division III at 225.4 yards per game. UChicago's stout defense was 12th in the nation in scoring defense (11.4 PPG), eighth in third-down defense (.259), second in first downs allowed (116), 12th in total defense (227.3 YPG) and fifth in passing yards allowed (115.6 YPG).

Gilcrist arrived in Hyde Park after a three-year tenure at The College of the Holy Cross. Gilcrist was the pass game coordinator and wide receiver coach for the Crusaders, who compete within the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). He led the offensive staff in pass game creation and weekly game plan installation.

The Crusaders possessed a cumulative record of 20-10 over the past three seasons with Gilcrist on staff. Holy Cross won three-straight Patriot League titles with a 13-1 record in conference games. The 2021 Crusaders put together their most successful season in 30 years – they posted a 10-3 overall record, a 6-0 league mark and advanced to the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs. The offense averaged 32.2 points per game with five games exceeding 40 points.

Prior to Holy Cross, Gilcrist spent four seasons on staff at Columbia University (NCAA Division I FCS). He was the running backs coach in the 2015-16 seasons and the wide receivers coach during the 2017 and 2018 campaigns. Four Lions from his positional groups earned All-Ivy League honors in that time. Wide receiver Josh Wainwright set a new school record with 1,001 receiving yards in 2017. On the recruiting front, Gilcrist was instrumental in bringing in three classes that placed in the top 25 of the FCS recruiting rankings. Columbia's 2016 recruiting class was ranked No. 3 nationally within the FCS.

Gilcrist also has coaching roots within NCAA Division III. In the early years of his career, he served as the wide receivers coach at Carnegie Mellon University (2014) and Thiel College (2013). He led the creation of the pass game plans at both programs. Additionally, Gilcrist was the defensive backs coach at Maine Maritime Academy (2012).

As a student-athlete, Gilcrist started his collegiate career as a wide receiver at Duquesne University and went on to play wide receiver and safety at the University of Pittsburgh. The Panthers won the 2010 Big East Championship and made three-consecutive bowl game appearances during his time on the team. He received his bachelor's degree in Digital Communications and Media from Pittsburgh in 2012.