KINGSTON, R.I. – Rhode Island football head coach Jim Fleming announced that Vince Sinagra had joined the program as Chief of Staff and Michaela Kraut has been named as the team's director of football operations.

Sinagra – a Brooklyn, N.Y. native who was a three-year starter at defensive tackle for Rhode Island in the 1970s – returns to his alma mater from Georgia Tech, where he began as the Chief of Staff in 2019. A football coach and administrator with 45 years of experience, Sinagra will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations for the program.

"Vince has been in the game for his entire life as a coach, administrator and player," Fleming said. "He has seen everything the game has to offer, and he provides a wealth of knowledge and experience for the program."

Before his time at Georgia Tech, Sinagra held a similar position at Temple. At both stops, he worked for head coach Geoff Collins. Sinagra also spent five seasons as the head coach at Division III Anna Maria in Paxton, Mass. from 2012-16. He was Anna Maria's defensive coordinator in 2010-11 before being elevated to the top spot.
 
His other coaching stops include Norfolk State (Linebackers Coach, 2008-09); VMI (Defensive Coordinator, 2006-07); Stony Brook (Defensive Coordinator, 2004-05); Holy Cross (Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator, 1999-2003); two stints at Hofstra (Defensive Coordinator, 1998; Wide Receivers, 1993); Fordham (Defensive Coordinator, 1994-97); Bloomsburg (Defensive Coordinator, 1988-93) and Rhode Island (Defensive Line – 1976-77).
 
Sinagra also served as athletics director for six years at Milford (Conn.) Academy (1981-87). He was Milford Academy's football head coach from 1978-81.

Sinagra earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and health from URI in 1975 and a master's in physical education, health and recreation in 1983. He played professionally for the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Kraut has been involved with the football program since the 2018 season. As an undergraduate, she spent four seasons as a team manager, assisting with travel logistics, recruiting scheduling and day-to-day operations. A native of Orange, Conn., she also interned with Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn during the spring of 2022. She produced presentation material for the URI Board of Trustees, as well as for faculty/staff meetings. Kraut also completed research projects in several areas, including ticket sales for men's and women's basketball, as well as football.

"Michaela has been an integral part of Rhode Island football for several years," Fleming said. "Each year she has taken on more and more responsibility, and she plays a major role in making sure our daily operation runs smoothly. We are very excited to have her back with the program."

Kraut graduated from Rhode Island in May with bachelor's degrees in Public Relations and Sports Media/Communications. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.94 grade point average.

In addition to her work in Athletics, Kraut has interned with the Silverman Group marketing firm, worked as a clerical assistant with DiGioia Law and interned with Devore Associates, a landscape architecture firm in Fairfield, Conn.