The Citadel Athletics

Roberto Pinilla, a veteran coach with over two decades of coaching experience at the collegiate level, enters his first season as the defensive line coach at The Citadel.
 
The appointment marks his second stint with the Bulldogs, serving as the defensive line coach from 2002-05.
 
Pinilla returns to the Lowcountry after spending the previous months as the defensive line coach at Chowan University. Prior to that, he spent one year helping build the roster at football newcomer Thomas University.
 
Pinilla spent eight seasons coaching the defensive line at West Alabama (2014-21) where he coached multiple all-conference selections, and a trio of All-Americans.
 
In his final season with the Tigers, Pinilla mentored Chris Terrell to First-Team All-America recognition. Pinilla also tutored All-Americans Darius Ellis and Jared Washington. Additionally, six of his defensive lineman were tabbed all-conference selections.
 
His time at UWA was preceded by two seasons at Bridgewater College and one year at Presbyterian. IN his two seasons at BC, Pinilla had three players earn all-conference honors, including Joel Francis being named the ODAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2012.
 
Pinilla spent nine seasons working in the Palmetto State at three different schools. He first came to the state in 2002 where he spent four seasons as the defensive line coach for the Bulldogs. In his first season, Pinilla guided all-conference performers Cliff Washburn and Michael Ballentine who combined to be the most prolific sack duo in program history. Ballentine would go on to set the school record for career sacks.
 
Pinilla followed his time at The Citadel by spending the next four seasons as the defensive line coach at Furman. During his time with the Paladins, Pinilla helped FU finish with one of the best two-year totals in sacks with 55.
 
He spent the 2010 season coaching the defensive line at Presbyterian where he helped the Blue Hose lead the conference in sacks, including setting a Big South record with nine sacks against Gardner-Webb.
 
Pinilla got his start in coaching in 1998 as the defensive line coach at West Georgia. After spending two seasons (1999-2000) at ETSU, Pinilla returned to the staff at UWG in 2001.
 
He is a 1997 graduate of West Georgia where he graduated with a degree in mathematics.
 
Pinilla is the father to two sons, Lincoln and Mason, and a daughter, Jordan.