Returning starter Billy Freeman led the team in pass receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions, was a first-team All-Mountain West selection and one of eight semifinalists for the annual John Mackey Award given to the nation’s top tight end. Josh Oliver, a freshman in 2015, caught the game-clinching touchdown pass in the AutoNation Cure Bowl victory. Ray Guy Award finalist Michael Carrizosa was third nationally in punting average, a first-team All-Mountain West selection and a second-team All-America. As a team, the 2015 Spartans set a school record for net punting average in a season.
The San Francisco native came to San Jose State after four seasons as the special teams coordinator and the tight ends coach at the University of Michigan.
Through the years, Ferrigno (pronounced furr-reen-yo) was part of 12 teams that played in a post-season bowl game and developed outstanding players in all phases of special teams play and pass receiving.
While at Michigan, placekicker Brendan Gibbons was a record-setting kick-scorer and Will Hagerup was named the Big Ten's Punter of the Year in 2012. At the University of California, he coached DeSean Jackson, one of the college game's most exciting players of the 2000's. Tony Gonzalez at Cal, Gavin Escobar of San Diego State and Devin Funchess of Michigan are just three of the tight ends that blossomed under Ferrigno's coaching.
The 1978 San Francisco State University graduate began his coaching career at San Francisco's St. Ignatius High in 1975. Three years later, he was the wide receivers and tight ends coach at his alma mater. Ferrigno moved to nearby University of the Pacific for the 1979 with similar responsibilities.
His first of three coaching tenures at the University of California began in 1980 as a graduate assistant. Oregon State (1987-95), Cal (1996-99, 2006-07), USC (2000) Oregon (2001-05) are the four Pac-12 Conference schools where he served as an assistant football coach. Ferrigno also coached at Western Michigan (1982-86) and San Diego State (2009-10). He was the special teams coordinator while at Oregon State, Cal, San Diego State and Michigan. Ferrigno's one head coaching experience was at St. Mary's High in Albany, Calif., for the 2008 football season.
Dan, and his wife, Shawna, are the parents of sons -- Brendan, Michael Conn and Kevin Conn; and daughters -- Meagan, Hannah and Sophia.