“Ed has been with me throughout my tenure as head coach,” said Biddle.  “He has been a large part of our overall success, and I’m extremely pleased that we were able to reward him in this manner.  His defenses have consistently ranked among the best in Division I-AA.”

Colgate athletics director David Roach seconded Biddle’s comments, “I’m pleased to be able to approve Dick’s recommendation.  Ed has made a significant contribution to Colgate football, and particularly to the success defensively we have enjoyed over the last 10 seasons.”

During Pinkham’s tenure, Colgate has captured five Patriot League titles and earned five trips to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. His defensive unit led the Patriot League in total defense in 1999, 2003 and 2004, and three times has paced the league in rushing defense.

On the national scene, Pinkham’s defensive unit was Top 10 in rushing defense three times, twice in passing defense and once in total defense.  Last season, the Raiders were ninth in the nation in pass efficiency defense, after finishing fifth in 2004.

His defensive unit has produced 36 all-Patriot League performers, three Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honorees; and as secondary coach, 15 players have been selected all-league.

In 1999, he directed the Raiders to one of their greatest defensive efforts while setting the school record for fewest total yards and rushing yards allowed in a season.

With over 27 years of coaching experience, Pinkham began his coaching career at Allegheny in 1975 where he coached the wide receivers before adding secondary duties in his second year with the Gators.

He left Allegheny for a 12-year stint at the University of New Hampshire, where he was secondary coach during his entire stay and defensive coordinator the last seven seasons.

In 1989, he joined the staff at the University of Minnesota as secondary coach. It was at Minnesota where he first coached with Biddle.