Peter Mayer enters his seventh season with the Frostburg State University football coaching staff in 2018.
Mayer served as the Bobcats’ special teams coordinator for the last four seasons and was the program’s defensive coordinator for the 2013 campaign. He also assisted with the defensive backs from 2014-16 and the linebackers in ‘13.
Frostburg has proven to be one of the top special teams units over the last four years. The Bobcats have blocked six kicks in three of the last four seasons, finishing 12th in the country two years ago, 18th in 2015 and 17th following the ’14 campaign. FSU finished 46th in the nation with four blocks last fall.
In 2017, Frostburg led the NJAC in punts return yards (10.92) and finished second in kick return yards (23.51) and punt return defense (3.31).
Last fall, the Bobcats won a school record 11 games (11-2) that included NCAA Playoff victories over No. 9 Wittenberg (35-7) and No. 10 Washington & Jefferson (46-23).
Frostburg made just its second-ever NCAA Playoff appearance last fall and advanced to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history since the tournament expanded to 32 teams. Frostburg spent the entire season ranked inside both major Top 25 polls and it finished the season ranked ninth in both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches and D3football.com polls.
The special teams unit as a whole was again dominant in 2016, finishing second in the NJAC in kick return defense (17.98), fourth in the kickoff returns (20.18) and third in punt returns (8.89). The FSU defensive backs finished fourth in the NJAC with 13 interceptions and posted 25 break ups.
In 2015, the Bobcats led the NJAC and finished 11th in the country in punt returns (15.63) and finished 15th in DIII in kickoff return defense (14.95). The defense intercepted nine passes and returned two for touchdowns.
In ‘14, FSU used a blocked extra point attempt in the second overtime to earn a 38-37 upset win over 25th ranked Ithaca on Homecoming. While helping the DBs, Frostburg posted six interceptions and 24 pass breakups.
In 2013 while coaching the linebackers, the Bobcat defense recovered 13 fumbles, picked off three passes and posted 19 sacks. Three Frostburg defensive players earned All-Empire 8 honors.
In his first season in 2012, Mayer coached the quarterbacks and under his direction, Frostburg threw for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns. Ten-game starter Ken Emmons finished fourth in the Empire 8 in yards per game (152.3) and tied for fifth in touchdown passes (9).
Mayer brought with him an extensive background at both the NCAA Division I and III levels in all three phases of the game. He served in numerous roles of college recruiting at all three levels, including a stop in the high school ranks.
A 2004 graduate of Ithaca College, Mayer coached at his Alma Mater for three years from 2008-2011. While with the Bombers, Mayer coached the secondary and played a major role in coaching the special teams and recruiting. During his tenure, Ithaca’s secondary received seven All-Empire 8 awards, two All-Region honors and one First Team All-American award. As a team, Ithaca won 22 games during Mayer’s three seasons, including a spot in the NCAA Playoffs in 2008.
Prior to his return to Ithaca, Mayer served as a defensive assistant for Division I Colgate University of the Patriot League from 2006-08. He started with the defensive ends in 2006 before moving to the safeties in the spring of 2007. On gamedays, Mayer was responsible for personnel and opponent tendencies and coached different areas of kickoff, punt and punt return. Off the field, he was responsible for major portions of recruiting and all film work on the defensive side of the ball.
Mayer served as the tight ends coach and offensive graduate assistant at Widener University from 2005-06. He assisted with portions of kickoff, kickoff return and punt return and was responsible for recruiting days following the season. Widener posted 15 wins during Mayer’s two years with the program, including a pair of stops in ECAC Bowl Games.
Following his graduation from Ithaca, Mayer started his coaching career at Hamilton College (2004-05). He coached the secondary, along with the punt and punt return teams. He was also responsible for all special teams during games.
Mayer’s most recent coaching stop came at Severna Park High School this past fall. He served as the coordinator for both the defense and special teams while coaching the secondary and wide receivers. He was responsible for creating the defensive and special teams game plans and in-game adjustments for the defense, special teams and offensive passing game. He contributed to the offensive game plan by breaking down the opponents coverage’s prior to gameday.
He coached several players to All-County honors at corner, wide receiver and kicker/punter. He also provided guidance to senior players about the college recruiting process.
During his college career at Ithaca, Mayer helped the team to the NCAA National Quarterfinals in 2001 and 2003 and Empire 8 Championships in 2002 and 2003. As a senior in 2003, he was named Ithaca’s Most Improved Player and earned Empire 8 Second Team All-Conference honors at free safety.
Mayer is married to the former Jenelle Partelow and the two were married in late July of 2012 prior to the start of camp. Together they have two girls, Liza (3) and Daphne (1).
