Rutgers Remembers Two-Time Captain Brian Sheridan
Sep 15 | Football
Linebacker holds Rutgers football single-season tackles record
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers mourns the passing of two-time captain Brian Sheridan, who died Tuesday at age 45. A native of Union, New Jersey, with over 20 years of coaching experience, Sheridan was the head coach at American Heritage High School in Delray Beach, Florida.
A four-time letterwinner for the Scarlet Knights (1993-95, 97), Sheridan capped his collegiate career with 161 tackles (109 solo) in 1997, the single-season program standard. The linebacker, voted a captain for the second time, posted two of the top four total-tackle games in school history that year with a best of 26 versus Boston College and 23 in the finale at Miami. He earned Second Team All-Big East honors, as well as the Homer Hazel Award as the most valuable player on the team.
As a junior in 1995, Sheridan garnered the George T. Cronin Trophy, an honor recognizing the most improvement and progress on the team, after totaling 132 tackles to pace the defense. He picked up Big East Defensive Player of the Week following an 18-tackle performance in the win over Navy. Sheridan served as a captain for the first time that season, alongside Marco Battaglia, Ray Lucas and Mark Washington. Making an immediate impact, he registered a 93-yard fumble return for a touchdown to go with an interception in his debut as a true freshman versus Colgate at Giant Stadium in 1993.
Overall, Sheridan recorded 389 career tackles, which ranks third in the RU record book.
The 1992 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time all-state selection by the Star-Ledger, he led Union High School to perfect 11-0 records and the state's No. 1 ranking his final two scholastic seasons.
Following his playing days, Sheridan became a high school coach in New Jersey, including leading his alma mater, Union, for five seasons. He moved to Florida in 2007 and was promoted to head coach at American Heritage last December.
Rutgers Football Defensive Records
Career Tackles
3. Brian Sheridan: 389
Season Tackles
1. Brian Sheridan (1997): 161
10. Brian Sheridan (1995): 132
Game Tackles
2. Brian Sheridan (vs. Boston College, 1997): 26
T3. Brian Sheridan (at Miami, 1997): 23
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
A four-time letterwinner for the Scarlet Knights (1993-95, 97), Sheridan capped his collegiate career with 161 tackles (109 solo) in 1997, the single-season program standard. The linebacker, voted a captain for the second time, posted two of the top four total-tackle games in school history that year with a best of 26 versus Boston College and 23 in the finale at Miami. He earned Second Team All-Big East honors, as well as the Homer Hazel Award as the most valuable player on the team.
As a junior in 1995, Sheridan garnered the George T. Cronin Trophy, an honor recognizing the most improvement and progress on the team, after totaling 132 tackles to pace the defense. He picked up Big East Defensive Player of the Week following an 18-tackle performance in the win over Navy. Sheridan served as a captain for the first time that season, alongside Marco Battaglia, Ray Lucas and Mark Washington. Making an immediate impact, he registered a 93-yard fumble return for a touchdown to go with an interception in his debut as a true freshman versus Colgate at Giant Stadium in 1993.
Overall, Sheridan recorded 389 career tackles, which ranks third in the RU record book.
The 1992 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time all-state selection by the Star-Ledger, he led Union High School to perfect 11-0 records and the state's No. 1 ranking his final two scholastic seasons.
Following his playing days, Sheridan became a high school coach in New Jersey, including leading his alma mater, Union, for five seasons. He moved to Florida in 2007 and was promoted to head coach at American Heritage last December.
Rutgers Football Defensive Records
Career Tackles
3. Brian Sheridan: 389
Season Tackles
1. Brian Sheridan (1997): 161
10. Brian Sheridan (1995): 132
Game Tackles
2. Brian Sheridan (vs. Boston College, 1997): 26
T3. Brian Sheridan (at Miami, 1997): 23
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
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