Ross Pennypacker is the assistant football coach at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, serving as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for the Wildcats. The 2025 season is his 11th overall with the program, including a return stint that began in 2017, his ninth season on head coach Mark Ferrante's staff, and his fourth year as Villanova's defensive coordinator.
Under Pennypacker's direction, Villanova fielded one of the top defenses in the FCS in both 2023 and 2024. The Wildcats finished 10th nationally in scoring defense in 2024, allowing 18.2 points per game, and held nine of 14 opponents to 17 points or fewer. They also ranked among the CAA leaders in total defense, turnovers gained, passing efficiency defense, and passing yards allowed. Those results followed a 2023 season in which Villanova shared the CAA Football title and ranked seventh in the nation in total defense while also placing among the national leaders in third-down defense and scoring defense.
