Dave Plungas, RMU’s Defensive Coordinator

Dave Plungas earned his third season as defensive coordinator and his first as assistant head coach of the RMU football program, leading them to a 7-5 record and 6-1 mark in the Northeast Conference (NEC). Under his watchful eye, three Colonials earned All-NEC honoree recognition.

Prior to joining Robert Morris University, Plungas served as an outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Albany for three seasons from 2015-17. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication and sociology from the University of Albany.

Professional Career

Plungas, a former college linebacker, spent the 2014 season as an assistant coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He returned to Albany in 2015 as both an outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, applying his two degrees – a bachelor’s in communication and master’s in sociology – to the program. In 2016, Plungas helped his defense rank first in the CAA for turnover margin while helping Albany win three league championships and earn its first automatic bid to the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

Achievement and Honors

Dave Plungas has achieved a great deal throughout his career. He was a three-year starter on the linebackers at UAlbany and spent time as an assistant coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 2013-2015.

He has earned several national honors, such as the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award – presented annually to a high school senior who excels in wrestling, scholastic achievement and community service. Additionally, he received both Robert R. Dutton Award and Parkersburg South’s Bob Beasley Award, given to the top male wrestler in the state. Currently he coaches football at Robert Morris University as the defensive coordinator and works as strength and conditioning coach at Aim Performance in Mentor, Ohio.

Personal Life

Dave Plungas is a five-year Division I linebacker who has earned himself an impressive resume over his five seasons on campus. A two-time NEC all-conference selection, he has started in 43 games for the Great Danes and recorded 246 tackles during that time – helping the program earn its first automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs.

Robert Morris University recently appointed him defensive coordinator and heads up recruiting operations for the Colonials. To attract a quality recruit, it’s important to build trust and provide them with education on their next steps in life – something he has done throughout his career with great success.

Net Worth

Dave Plungas is the successful plumber and owner of Horizon Services. Although he wasn’t born into wealth, growing up in a working class family taught him that providing exceptional service and targeting wealthy clients would be his recipe for success. In 1978, he launched his business by installing a furnace at an organic grocer’s location.

Dave was the owner of a small plumbing business in Loveland, CO that he wanted to expand. Jack Tester – then the head of Nexstar (Contractors 2000 at the time – recognized Dave’s need for assistance and invited him into their peer group. Here he had access to some of the top contractors nationwide to learn from, giving him valuable resources that enabled him to make significant improvements in his business.