Ruhe in Frieden: FCS-Allez-Trainer Kevin Callahan ist im Alter von 70 Jahren verstorben. Allez-Fans trauern heute.
The only head coach in the history of football at Monmouth, Kevin Callahan has developed a winning tradition in West Long Branch. Callahan, whose 188 career FCS wins is first among active coaches at the FCS level, has guided a once fledgling non-scholarship program to a top-ten national ranking and multiple NCAA playoff berths. He is the longest-tenured FCS head coach and he is one of four Division I head coaches with at least 30 years of experience as a head coach. In 2019 he was named AFCA Region II Coach of the Year and he is a two-time finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, bestowed upon the nation’s top FCS Coach.
Beginning his 33rd season at the helm of the Hawks in the fall of 2025, Callahan has amassed a 188-148 record while his teams have captured seven conference titles and made three FCS playoff appearances. Along the way, Monmouth has been ranked among the top 20 in total offense on seven occasions and in total defense five times. Meanwhile, 190 players have earned conference recognition, while numerous Hawks have earned regional and national honors. Regarded as an outstanding coach by his peers, Callahan served as the President of the FCS Football Coaches Committee in 2007-08 and served a 10-year term as a member of the committee. Under his watch, 20 former Hawks have earned spots on NFL rosters, including Super Bowl Champion Chris Hogan and Miles Austin who was an All-Pro wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.
Academically, Callahan’s squads have consistently performed at a high level. Fourteen players have been named to the prestigious FCS ADA Academic All-Star team (average of 55 FCS players selected per season) a total 19 times. Monmouth has had at least one representative on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 21 of the last 23 seasons, with Justin Rosato and Justin Szuba earning Academic All-American honors.
Monmouth’s offense put together a historic 2024 season, establishing itself as one of the most explosive units in the FCS. The Hawks led the CAA and ranked among the nation’s top 10 in multiple statistical categories, finishing first in the FCS in total offense and fourth-down conversions while ranking second in scoring offense and passing offense. Quarterback Derek Robertson orchestrated the attack, earning CAA Offensive Player of the Year honors after leading the nation in passing yards per game and total offense, while finishing as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Running back Sone Ntoh powered the ground game, leading the FCS in scoring, total touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns. Monmouth made history with its first-ever FBS victory, a thrilling 45-42 win over FIU, and capped the year by knocking off two ranked opponents, including a 40-33 victory over No. 8/9 Villanova and a 55-47 road win at No. 20/18 Stony Brook. The Hawks’ success was recognized with nine All-CAA selections, including first-team all-conference honors for Robertson and Ntoh. That duo earned All-American consideration along with freshman All-American awards for Rodney Nelson and Tra Neal.
The 2023 season saw Monmouth’s offense continue its success from the 2022 campaign. The Hawks ranked 12th in total offense (431.5 ypg) and 13th in scoring offense (32.5 ppg) thanks in large part to a pair of consensus First Team All-Americans in running back Jaden Shirden and wide receiver Dymere Miller. Shirden finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting after leading the country in rushing for the second consecutive season (134.4 ypg), while Miller was first in the FCS in receiving in both total yards (1,293) and yards per game (117.5). Shirden once again headlined Monmouth’s CAA award winners as the Offensive Player of the Year, while Miller joined him on the First Team. Running back Sone Ntoh and offensive lineman Greg Anderson earned Second Team honors. In addition, graduate center Tyler Williams made the Third Team.
Monmouth’s offense did not miss a beat in its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2022, highlighted by the emergence of Shirden, a consensus All-American selection at running back. Shirden finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting after he led the entire country in rushing at the end of the regular season, including FBS running backs, with 1,722 yards. His 8.4 yards per carry and 156.5 rushing yards per game were both tops in the FCS, earning him CAA Offensive Player of the Year honors. Shirden averaged an impressive 52.8 yards on 13 touchdown runs, including eight 50+ yard touchdown runs, and added 13 touchdowns. In addition to Shirden’s dominance, fellow running back Owen Wright joined Shirden on the first team, while wide receiver Dymere Miller earned second team honors. Offensive linemen Greg Anderson and Justin Szuba both were voted Third Team All-CAA along with defensive back Mike Reid.
Callahan and the Hawks closed out the Big South era in 2021 with a 6-1 league mark and a 7-4 overall record. Monmouth placed 16 players on All-Big South teams, including 11 first team selections. The Hawks featured the top scoring unit in the conference at 32.0 points per game and had eight of 11 starters earn all-league honors. AJ Farris, Juwon Farri and Tony Muskett earned All-America honors while Farris was named as the nation’s top offensive center by winning the Rimington Award for the second straight season. Monmouth amassed a 23-3 conference record over the final five seasons they were a member of the Big South Conference. Wide receiver Lonnie Moore IV and tight end Gene Scott would earn tryouts with NFL teams at the conclusion of the season.
The Hawks continued their upward trajectory in the shorted 2020-21 campaign as they earned their second consecutive Big South Championship. Callahan was named conference Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career as the program ended the season ranked 10th in both the American Football Coaches Association Poll (AFCA) and the Athlon Sports Poll, while finishing 11th in the STATS Perform Media Poll. Monmouth was also the top-ranked private school in the FCS after a near-upset of eventual Sam Houston in the FCS Playoffs. The Hawks claimed two NCAA statistical champions in Juwon Farri (scoring) and the team on defense for most sacks (4.50 per game). Farri, the Big South Offensive Player of the Year, was a consensus Second Team All-America selection and was top-3 nationally in a number of rushing statistics. Freshman quarterback Tony Muskett earned Big South Offensive Freshman of the Year en route to a fifth-place finish for the Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman of the Year).
Monmouth football reached new heights in 2019, winning its first Big South Championship and first playoff game, en route to a No. 12 final ranking while setting a plethora of team and individual records. The Hawks set records for overall wins with 11, home wins (7) and put together a program record nine-game winning streak. Monmouth had a program-best 17 All-Big South selections led by fifth-year senior quarterback Kenji Bahar, who was also the Big South Offensive Player of the Year. Seven different Hawks took home All-American honors including running back Pete Guerriero who led the NCAA in rushing en route to consensus All-American status. Guerriero, who broke the Monmouth rushing and all-purpose yard records became Monmouth’s first Walter Payton Award Finalist, finishing in third place. Callahan earned his first Big South Coach of the Year honor as voted on by his peers.
In 2018 Monmouth’s offense was one of the top in all of the FCS setting over 15 individual and team records. The Hawks completed their second consecutive eight-win season while finishing second in the Big South. A Monmouth record 12 Hawks earned spots on the All-Big South Team while freshman running back Juwon Farri earned Big South Offensive Freshman of the Year and finished fifth in the Jerry Rice Award voting. Wideout Reggie White Jr. set almost every single-season and career receiving mark and his efforts were rewarded with numerous All-America nods and a free agent contract with the New York Giants.
The Hawks took another huge step in 2017, opening the brand new 16 million dollar Kessler Stadium, earning its first national ranking and its first NCAA Playoff berth. Callahan guided the Hawks to a 9-3 overall record, including a 4-1 mark in the Big South, and faced Northern Iowa in the NCAA First Round. In addition to going 5-0 at home, the Hawks strung together a seven-game win streak heading into the final game of the regular season. For his efforts, Callahan finished 10th in the voting for the Eddie Robinson Award, handed out to the nation’s top FCS Coach. Under his tutelage, Mike Basile became the most decorated player in Monmouth history, earning consensus All-America honors including First Team accolades from the Associated Press. Basile, who was named as the FCS’s top defensive back by the FCS ADA, led nine players on All-Big South teams, including freshman Pete Guerriero who was a first team selection at both running back and kick returner. Guerriero was the Big South’s Co-Freshman of the Year and was named to two All-American teams. The honors didn’t stop there for Basile and Guerriero, with each being named as finalists for national awards, with the former earning a sixth place finish in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award (Nation’s top defensive player). All-American offensive lineman Alex Thompson became the latest Hawk in the National Football League after agreeing to a free agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens in April.
The 2016 season saw the Hawks jump out to a hot start, going 4-2 but struggled through conference play, despite holding halftime leads in four of the final five contests. The Hawks boasted five all-conference selections, including First Team All-Big South honors for safety Mike Basile and wide receiver Reggie White Jr. Basile, who led the team in tackles for the third straight season, became the program’s first unanimous Second Team All-American.
The 2015 campaign set a number of firsts for the program, including the Hawks first game against an Football Bowl Subdivision opponent and its first win over a ranked opponent. Callahan and the Blue & White tripled its conference win total in just its second year in the Big South, finishing with a 3-3 record and a third place conference finish. On October 17 Monmouth upset conference foe and No. 22 ranked Liberty 20-17 in overtime, giving the program its first win over a ranked opponent. One week later the Hawks would host top-ranked Coastal Carolina, falling to the Chanticleers on a last second field goal. In all, Monmouth faced a ranked opponent in four of its 11 games in 2015 while also playing Central Michigan on September first in MU’s first contest against an FBS squad. Seven Hawks earned All-Big South Honors while sophomore Mike Basile was named All-Big South and All-ECAC Second Team. Academically, Joe Johnson earned Academic All-District II and was named to the Big South Academic All-Star Team for the second consecutive year.
Callahan led the Hawks to a 6-5 record in 2014, including the programs first Big South Conference win on November 22, 2014 against Gardner-Webb. Six student-athletes earned All-Big South honors, including freshman safety Mike Basile and senior wide receiver Neal Sterling being named First Team. Basile was also named Big South Rookie of the Year, while running back Lavon Chaney became the first newcomer to lead the league in all-purpose yards in six years.Off the field Joe Johnson was named to both the Big South and Capitol One All-District II Academic teams.
In 2013, Monmouth’s first season as an independent since the 1995 season, the Hawks faced their most daunting schedule. Playing a 12-game regular season for the first time in program history, the Hawks opened with No. 2 Montana State- the highest ranked opponent that MU had faced at that point. The season also saw the Hawks host an Ivy League opponent for the first time, with Monmouth handing Cornell a 48-23 loss on Homecoming. Monmouth also dispatched Holy Cross in their first meeting and defeated former conference rival Wagner during the season. Individually, the Hawks boasted the only running back tandem in the FCS with two 1,000-yard seasons. Additionally, junior quarterback Brandon Hill threw for the second most yardage and touchdowns in school history. Redshirt freshman Darnell Leslie registered the most sacks in a season since the 2003 season. Academically, a team-record four players earned a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District team and Monmouth had a FCS NACDA Academic All-Star for the third straight season.
The 2012 campaign saw the Hawks defeat a Colonial Athletic Association team for the second straight season with a 41-6 rout of The University of Rhode Island. Individually, quarterback Kyle Frazier finished his career by rewriting many single season Monmouth records while six Hawks earned all-conference honors. Once again the Hawks were impressive in the classroom, with the team registering an overall grade point average of 2.99 and 15 Hawks earning NEC Academic Honor Roll. Five players made it to the commissioner’s honor roll, while three Hawks earned a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District team, the 13th consecutive season MU was represented on the list.
In 2011 the Hawks posted a undefeated record on the road for just the third time in program history, going a perfect 5-0. On September 17th, the Hawks knocked off 2012 NCAA Semifinalist Villanova, 20-9 for one of the marquee wins in the program’s short history. MU had five players on the All-NEC Teams, including wide receiver Neal Sterling who was named NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Hawks also boasted a pair of finalists for Jerry Rice Award, given to the nation’s top FCS freshman. MU was the only team with more than one player named as a finalist. Senior captain Jose Gumbs, a three-time all-league selection, capped off his stellar career by being named Third Team All-America while finishing third all-time in tackles. Academically, 22 players earned Dean’s List Honors while 27 members of the team were named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll.
Five Hawks earned All-Northeast Conference honors in 2010 the Hawks were four points away from posting seven wins, with four one-point losses. Off the field Callahan’s team had the best grade point average among all the Northeast Conference football squads while a member of the Hawks earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors for the 11th straight season. Six different players earned a spot on the All-NEC teams, including offensive guard Shawn Wright’s fourth consecutive honor.
On Oct. 31, 2009, Callahan and the Monmouth program reached another milestone as the Hawks recorded the 100th win in program history with a win over Bryant University at Kessler Field. Defensive back Jose Gumbs earned Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a redshirt sophomore; while five other Hawks earn spots on NEC All-Conference teams. David Sinisi ended his career by breaking over 30 school records, while becoming the NEC all-time leader in scoring and rushing yards. The two-time Walter Payton Award candidate led all active Division I football players (FBS and FCS) in scoring and led all active FCS players in yards rushing, rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns. Academically, 22 Hawks were named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll and Jon Stolarz and Andrew Musick were two of just 53 FCS players named to the NACDA Academic All-Star Team.
Callahan led the Hawks to their 10th winning season in 2008, finishing with a 7-4 overall record and a 6-1 NEC mark. Monmouth started the season with three straight losses, including losing to the CAA’s Rhode Island and NCAA playoff team Maine by a total of seven points, but rallied to win seven of its final eight games. In conference play, the Hawks outscored their opponents 210-134, losing only to eventual league champion Albany. Monmouth’s first victory of the season, a 30-17 win over Bryant on Sept. 20, was also a milestone for Callahan, who tallied his 90th career coaching win. MU earned three major conference awards for the first time in program history, with Sinisi (then a junior) earning Offensive Player of the Year after finishing second in the NCAA in rushing. Sinisi, who ended the season tied for first among all FCS players in scoring, was one of 16 players in the nation named to the Walter Payton Award watch list. Gumbs was named Defensive Rookie of the Year while nine total Hawks earned All-NEC honors. In the classroom, Kevin Walsh, the Defensive Player of the Year, and center Andrew Musick, were named to ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District II team for the second straight year.
The 2007 season found the Hawks facing one of their toughest schedules, including a road contest against Delaware, who went on to the FCS National Championship game. Callahan’s squad lost half of its starters from 2006’s NEC Championship team but armed with a load of young talent, the Hawks won three of their last four games and had 10 athletes recognized as all-conference performers. Callahan’s squad boasted the top passing attack in the NEC, while Monmouth’s turnover margin of +12 was 12th in all of the Football Championship Subdivision. Monmouth’s defense, complete with nine new starters, allowed the fewest first downs among conference members. Off the field, Callahan had 16 student athletes named to the NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. Two of those players, juniors Kevin Walsh and Andrew Musick, were named to ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District II, with Walsh being one of 54 players nationally named to the NACDA Division I Academic All-Star Team.
In 2006, Callahan led the Hawks to their first ever outright Northeast Conference Championship, their third in four years. Monmouth finished the season going 10-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play, earning a bid to play in the first ever Gridiron Classic, which was held at Kessler Field. The Blue & White defense finished first in Division I-AA in scoring defense, allowing just 12.67 points per game. A number of Hawks earned individual awards in 2006, with three players being named to the Sports Network Mid-Major All-America teams and three players named All-East Region from Don Hansen’s football Gazette. Callahan also earned his third NEC Coach of the Year award, as the Hawks placed 11 players on the All-Conference teams. He was inducted to the Jersey Shore Hall of Fame after the 2006 season.
Coach Callahan’s squads also excelled in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, the Hawks won their first-ever I-AA Mid-Major National Championship as they were award The Sports Network Cup following a 10-1 campaign. The 2004 season also brought MU their second consecutive NEC title and the fourth in the program’s history with a 6-1 mark in league action.
In 2003, Callahan led the Blue and White to its first-ever post-season action, a 12-10 loss to Duquesne in the ECAC Football Classic. Along the way, he coached Monmouth to the best start in school history (8-0) and the most wins in school annals (10-2). With the success, which included a share of the school’s third league title, Callahan was named the NEC Coach of the Year for the second time in his career. He was also named Coach of the Year by the New Jersey Sports Writers Association.
In 1998, Callahan was first recognized for his coaching excellence as he was tabbed the NEC Coach of the Year after leading the Hawks to their second NEC championship in three years. The team established over 30 new school records that season and featured one of the top offenses and defenses in Division I-AA.
Prior to accepting the head coaching position at Monmouth in August of 1992, Callahan served as assistant coach at Colgate University for eight seasons. While with the Raiders, Callahan served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, while tutoring the linebackers and secondary. He also coordinated recruiting efforts for Colgate.
Callahan coached 11 All-Patriot League players as the Raiders’ defensive coordinator. Colgate allowed just 111.9 rushing yards per game in 1987 to rank ninth in the country. In 1990, CU was among the nation’s leaders in total defense and set a team record for fewest total yards allowed in an 11-game season.
Callahan groomed his defensive coordinating skills at Wagner College from 1981 to 1983. During his three seasons with the Seahawks, Callahan served as defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. In his three seasons at the Staten Island school, the Seahawks compiled a 25-4-2 record and were ranked in the top 10 in Division III each of his three seasons. In 1983, Wagner reached the quarterfinals of the Division III playoffs.
In 1980, Callahan served as an assistant coach under Frank Maloney at Syracuse University. He served as the assistant offensive backfield coach for the Orangemen.
A native of Elmira, N.Y., Callahan began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for three seasons at the University of Albany from 1977 to 1979. In 1977 he served as the Great Danes’ offensive backfield coach as they advanced to the semifinals of the Division III playoffs. In 1978 and 1979, Callahan served as outside linebackers coach.
Callahan was a two-year standout on the playing field at the University of Rochester. He roamed the Yellowjackets’ defensive backfield from 1975 to 1976. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Rochester