Dec. 19, 2007

He's built for the tough turnaround, born to tackle the no-win situation.

Fordham football coach Tom Masella delights in the challenge of resurrecting a declining program, even if it seems like a fourth-and-long situation.

"I like watching a team get better, week after week," he said.

He speaks about these restoration projects as a parent would his own children.

Masella, the Daily News Bronx Sports Person of the Year, did another efficient job of turning things around. The Rams - who finished a combined 7-15 in the two seasons prior to his arrival and 3-8 in his first season at Rose Hill - went 8-4 this past season and won the Patriot League for the first time since 2002.

He made Fordham's football program relevant again.

For Mitch Abramson's complete article from the New York Daily News click here