KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island football head coach Jim Fleming announced a number of coaching staff changes ahead of the 2023 season, including the promotion of inside linebackers coach Chris Lorenti to defensive coordinator. 

In addition to Lorenti's new title, Fleming has added defensive backs coach Brandon Napoleon and recruited recent graduate Henry Yianakopolos to work with the nickels. 

"We are really excited about the progress that we have made this offseason and feel that these changes will put us in a position to be successful," Fleming said. "Our pool was highly competitive and filled with many qualified candidates, which allowed us to make some solid hires and bring in people who are excited about Rhode Island Football and want to develop young men both on and off the field."

A member of the Rams' coaching staff for three seasons, Lorenti's linebackers have led the team in tackles in each of his campaigns in Kingston: Jake Fire in 2022 (99.0), followed by Andre Blackett in both 2021 (88.0) and 2020 (20.0). Both Fire and teammate Evan Stewart were All-CAA Football picks a season ago under Lorenti's guidance, landing on the Second and Third Team, respectively. Stewart, the returning leader in tackles for the Rams, will suit up after accumulating 80.0 a year ago. 

"In just a few short years, Chris has become an integral part of this program," Fleming said. "The success of the players that he has worked with speaks to the kind of coach that he is and has proven his ability to get results. This is a well-deserved promotion for someone who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the future of URI Football." 

Napoleon makes the trip to Kingston after a one-year stint at Sacred Heart, where he was part of a staff that had the fourth-ranked pass defense at the FCS level. In addition to the unit's overall success, Napoleon helped develop Arsheen Jiles, who earned All-NEC Second Team honors and led the conference with eight pass break ups. After beginning his collegiate playing career as a defensive back at West Virginia, he went on to finish at Kansas Wesleyan. As a senior in 2018, he had 20 tackles and intercepted four passes, returning one for a touchdown. 

A captain for the Rams in 2022, Yianakopolos started all 11 games and finished his redshirt senior season with a team-best 9.5 tackles for loss. This will be the first coaching position for the two-time CAA Football Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll recipient, who previously signed as an undrafted free agent and spent time in training camp with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. 

Rhode Island Football will open the 2023 season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Georgia State. Kick-off against the Panthers is slated for 7 p.m.