EDINBORO — In 2018, Tony Papley and Jake Nulph shared an office at Duquesne University.

Nulph was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator and Papley was the director of football operations and the defensive line coach for the Dukes' football team.

They formed a strong bond and friendship during that time at Duquesne.

When Nulph was named head football coach at Edinboro University in January, one of the first people he thought of to fill out his staff was Papley.

“I met Tony when I would attend Duquesne's prospect camps,” Nulph said. “Then getting to work with him in 2018, we became very close.

“He brings tremendous passion and his work and commitment is second to none.”

Nulph hired Papley as defensive coordinator for the Scots.

“When Jake got the job we started talking about the position,” Papley said. “Once he got his feet wet, he offered me the job. It's an amazing opportunity.”

Papley was a standout at Slippery Rock High where he played for Hall of Fame coach Clyde Conti.

He moved on to strap the helmet on for another Hall of Famer, George Mihalik, at Slippery Rock University and was a three-year letterwinner at nose tackle for The Rock.

That's when he said the coaching bug bit him.

He moved on to Duquesne University as a volunteer coach and worked his way up the coaching ladder.

“After my first day at Duquesne, I fell in love,” Papley said. “I knew it was what I wanted to do and I would love to make a career out of it.”

It didn't take long for Papley to rise through the ranks.

After two years as a graduate assistant coach with the Dukes, he was promoted to director of football operations and defensive line coach.

A bulk of his responsibility was recruiting — something Papley said he enjoyed immensely.

Papley's ability to relate to players is what has made him so successful.

“I always tell them, 'I was in your spot 12 years ago,'” Papley said. 'I was being recruited by the PSAC West and the W&Js and Westminsters of the world.

“I got to meet a lot of great people at Duquesne,” Papley added. “The toughest thing is leaving the guys and players. I recruited every one of them.”

Papley, though, is looking forward to his new opportunity.

His first day was Monday. It was an odd day with no students on campus and no face-to-face contact with his new players — many of them he tried to recruit at Duquesne — because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“What a weird time to start,” Papley said.

His phone, though, has been invaluable.

Papley is calling every player to touch base.

“I've spent a lot of time on the phone,” Papley said, chuckling. “If I can't meet them, I'm gonna call them or FaceTime them. I'm excited to meet and talk to them.”

One of them is Seneca Valley graduate and sophomore inside linebacker Saige Ley.

Papley wanted Ley to come to Duquesne badly, but he got away.

Edinboro plays Slippery Rock University next season on SRU's homecoming weekend.

“I'm still close with (Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz),” Papley said. “He told me how happy he was for me, but said one day a year he won't be happy for me.”

Papley said he was fortunate to get a chance to play for or coach with some pillars of the sport.

“I owe those guys a lot,” Papley said. “Coach Conti, Coach Mihalik, Coach Lutz, (Jerry Schmitt at) Duquesne. I wouldn't be here without them. I wouldn't be here without the players.”