Peter Mayer enters his eighth season with the Frostburg State University football coaching staff in 2019.
Mayer served as the Bobcats’ special teams coordinator for the last five seasons and was the program’s defensive coordinator for the 2013 campaign. He also assisted with the defensive backs from 2014-18 and the linebackers in ‘13.
Frostburg has proven to be one of the top special teams units over the last five years. The Bobcats have blocked 27 kicks during that time frame, finishing 12th in the country three years ago and 17th following the ’14 campaign.
The Bobcats have posted one of the best three-year runs in DIII football as they won 31 games during that span, with two trips to the NCAA Playoffs in 2017 and 2018 and an ECAC Bowl Game victory following the 2016 season. FSU spent both the ’17 and ’18 seasons ranked inside the top-25 polls, while the 11-win campaign in 2017 is a school record for wins.
A year ago, Frostburg hosted two NCAA Playoff games for the first time in program history, while in ’17, the Bobcats advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time following wins over No. 9 Wittenberg (35-7) and No. 10 Washington & Jefferson (46-23).
Over the last three seasons, the Bobcat secondary is averaging 12 interceptions and 29 pass breakups per year.
Last fall, Frostburg finished 18th in the nation in both kickoff (23.67) and punt (14.67) returns, while the Bobcats led the NJAC in punts return yards (10.92) in 2017. 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.
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.
Mayer served as the tight ends coach and offensive graduate assistant at Widener University from 2005-06. 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.
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 (4) and Daphne (2).
