Story and photos by Alan Babbitt
Jacob Pardonnet '18 is returning to Hope College with a new role for the football program's formidable defense.
The two-time All-MIAA defensive back has been named defensive coordinator for the Flying Dutchmen, last season's MIAA co-champions, head coach Peter Stuursma announced.
Pardonnet follows James Ross III, who stepped down to accept an opportunity to coach linebackers at the University of Cincinnati, a College Football Playoff semi finalist last season, from Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell.
"Jacob was on the student committee when I was hired here at Hope College. I had the opportunity to coach him for two years, then watched his coaching career from afar," Stuursma said. "We're excited he's accepted the opportunity to be the defensive coordinator here.
"His energy, enthusiasm and ability to relate to players, we've already seen that in meetings, and we will see that on the field soon."
University of Cincinnati release announcing the hiring of James Ross III
Pardonnet spent the past three seasons on the coaching staff at NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
The Flying Dutchmen are coming off an 8-2 season last fall where they were Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association co-champions. Hope had the MIAA's No. 1 scoring defense at 14.5 points per game allowed.
"I am very honored Coach Stuursma thought I was prepared for this type of position and responsibility," Pardonnet said. "Hope means a lot to me, Hope gave me a lot during my four years, and I am hoping to do the same as the defensive coordinator."
Photo of Jacob Pardonnet during the 2017 season by Robert Kurtycz
At Bryant, Pardonnet worked with the strong safeties during the 2021 season when the Bulldogs went 7-4 overall and recorded their highest win total in seven years.
Bryant's winning percentage improved in each of his three seasons, going 4-8 during the 2019 season, 2-2 during a pandemic-shortened 2021 spring season, and 7-4.
In 2018, Pardonnet worked as a student assistant coach at Hope, working with defensive backs and safeties. Hope posted an 8-2 record.
As a student-athlete, Pardonnet played four seasons for the Flying Dutchmen (2014-17) and earned All-MIAA Football Second Team honors as a senior and a junior.
Pardonnet coached with and played for former defensive coordinator Mike Ricketts, who announced in February that he is retiring.
"To this day, I don't think there is a better football mind than Coach Ricketts. He taught me more about football during my playing days than I think anybody else," Pardonnet said. "He's the grittiest guy I know and his work ethic is noticeable. That says something in an industry where that doesn't often get noticed. That rubbed off on me. And I can't thank him enough.
"He had a big hand in the culture and tone that changed over with the new staff (in 2016). He believed in us. That's something I hope to instill in our guys."
A three-year starter, Pardonnet graduated from Hope with a degree in economics and business management. He made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll three times.
Pardonnet helped the Flying Dutchmen engineer the greatest single-season turnaround in team history in 2016. Hope finished with a 7-3 record after going 2-8 in 2015. In 2017, the Flying Dutch went 8-2.
In 55 career games, Pardonnet totaled 189 tackles, 7 ½ sacks, and 21 tackles for loss.
The Flying Dutchmen kick off the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 3, against Aurora University (Ill.) at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.
Pardonnet is looking forward to putting his stamp on Hope's defense in a new role.
"Our goal is to win the next one, whether it's a practice on a Tuesday, the next morning lift session, or the next snap in a game. We're going to pour everything into the next one," Pardonnet said. "That will be the foundation for what we do and how we operate. We're going to be a high-intensity defense."
