- New Jersey - Atlantic, Cape May, Warren, Bergen, Hudson
- Maryland - Montgomery Counties
- Pennsylvania - Northampton, Lehigh, Chester, Delaware
Pat Ruley was promoted to Associate Head Coach at Susquehanna in spring of 2023 in addition to his duties as Defensive Coordinator. He arrived to Selinsgrove in spring of 2017 as Defensive Coordinator and Inside Linebackers Coach. Ruley has coached an AFCA All-American, nine D3football.com All-Region picks, and 29 All-Centennial Conference selections at defensive positions. He has molded the River Hawk defensive unit into a force, as the "Wild Dogs" routinely have ranked in the top of the Division III defensive statistics.
The 2022 edition of River Hawks Football produced a banner season with a Centennial Conference championship following their first undefeated season since 1986 at 10-0, along with the program's first NCAA Tournament berth since 2009. SU's defense earned one D3Football All-Region 2 Third Team selection in Sal Gurnari (DT), along with three Centennial Conference First team nods in Gurnari, John Nicosia (LB), and Keith Green III (DB). The CC Second Team on the defensive side featured Edwin Maxwell (DB) and David Gilchrist (DB), with Honorable Mentions Jack Schultes (DL) and Drew Robinson (LB). Ruley and the entire coaching staff were recognized with the Centennial's Coaching Staff of the Year.
The 2021 season saw the River Hawks lead the Centennial Conference in total defense, allowing just 270.3 yards per game. Susquehanna also paced the Centennial in rushing defense (70.2 yards per game), fumbles recovered (14) and first down defense (163). SU was 44th nationally in third down conversion defense, allowing just 32 percent success on third downs, while also ranking third in the nation in fumbles recovered. Susquehanna ranked 11th nationally in Division III in rushing yards allowed per game, and was 20th in sacks per game with 2.91. SU was 15th in the country in turnovers gained with 15, and ranked 25th in Division III in total defense.
During the 2019 season, the River Hawks had one of the stingiest defensive units in all of Division III, ranking third in the country in third-down conversion rate (23.7%). SU was also tops in the Centennial Conference in fewest TDs allowed (6), first-down defense (143), fumbles recovered (13), rushing defense (64.5) and total defense (234.1). The defensive unit was fifth nationally in total defense, while ranking in the top 20 in nine different categories.
In 2018, Susquehanna led the Centennial in pass efficiency defense (99.9), fewest passing touchdowns allowed (7), and fewest yards per play allowed (4.2) while ranking second in the league in pass defense (179.2 yards/game). He also coached the conference's leading tackler in Cole Dixon '20. The River Hawks led the conference in both total defense (278.3 yards/game) and pass defense (167.2 yards/game) in his first season at SU.
A native of Margate, N.J., he arrived at Susquehanna following one season as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Division II Alderson Broaddus University in 2016. Ruley coached a pair of Great Midwest Athletic Conference selections at both linebacker and punter while helping the Battlers to the G-MAC Championship title. The Battlers ranked second in NCAA Division II in total defense (246.8 yards/game), scoring defense (14.0 points/game), 4th down conversion percentage defense (0.200), and first downs defense (135).
Prior to Alderson Broaddus, Ruley spent two seasons at Muhlenberg College in 2014 and 2015, working closely with current SU head coach Tom Perkovich in 2014. He served as the outside linebackers coach for the Mules. Muhlenberg was the top-ranked defense in the Centennial during both of his seasons and boasted the No. 4 rushing defense in the country in 2014. The Mules had three All-CC First Team selections at outside linebacker during his time.
In 2014, Muhlenberg reached the NCAA Division III playoffs while earning a Centennial Conference - Middle Atlantic Conference Bowl selection in 2015.
Before Muhlenberg, he was a defensive quality control coach and special teams assistant at Division I Towson University during the 2013 season. Ruley helped the Tigers to a 13-3 record and a trip to the NCAA FCS Championship game.
He was a 2012 USA Sports College All-American at linebacker for Rowan University. A two-time All-New Jersey Athletic Conference selection, Ruley was selected to play in the 2012 National Bowl, a bowl game for senior All-Americans. He helped Rowan to the 2009 NJAC Championship and a trip to the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Ruley collected 179 tackles and six sacks in 37 career games (26 starts).
Ruley earned his Bachelor's in English from Rowan University (2013).
- Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator - Susquehanna University (NCAA Div. III, Landmark), 2023-Present
- Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach - Susquehanna University (NCAA Div. III, Centennial), 2017-22
- Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach - Alderson Broaddus University (NCAA Div. II, G-MAC), 2016
- Outside Linebackers Coach - Muhlenberg College (NCAA Div. III, Centennial), 2014-15
- Defensive Quality Control Coach/Special Teams Assistant - Towson University (NCAA Div. I, CAA), 2013
- Bachelor's in English - Rowan University (2013)
