Monmouth University Athletics

Christian Runza joined the Monmouth University football coaching staff prior to the start of the 2023 season as a Defensive Assistant. Runza worked primarily with the Hawks' edge rushers in 2023.

In 2023, Monmouth's defense saw an improvement in a number of statistical categories. The Hawks gave up 27.5 points per game on average, an improvement of nearly seven points better than the 2022 season, and surrendered 355.9 yards per contest in 2023. Monmouth moved from last in the CAA in points allowed to seventh in the conference, while going from last to sixth in yards allowed. Individually, Runza mentored Antonio Colclough, an All-CAA Honorable Mention selection at defensive end, who led the team with 4.5 sacks.

Runza was a member of Monmouth's program as a student-athlete from 2014-18 helped the Hawks earn their first-ever FCS playoff appearance as a senior in 2017. A Dean's List student, Runza earned the 2017 Raymond Michelli Coaches' Award and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 2018. 

Each of the last two years Runza has coached in the USFL/UFL with the Michigan Panthers as the linebackers coach. He coached the 2023 USFL Defensive Player of the Year, Frank Ginda, who was one of two Panthers' linebackers to sign NFL contracts following the 2023 season. 

Runza coached at Towson University from 2019 through the 2022 seasons, first as a Defensive Quality Control and Assistant Linebackers Coach before he took over as Linebackers Coach and Quality Control Coordinator for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Runza mentored four All-CAA linebackers during his time with the Tigers. 

Runza resides in West Long Branch, NJ.