Jan. 25, 2006

Catholic University Names New Head Football Coach

Dave Dunn

Dave Dunn has been named the new head football coach at The Catholic University of America effective Feb. 1, 2006, announced CUA Athletic Director Mike Allen.

Dunn becomes the eighth head football coach in the Cardinals’ Division III history. A Connecticut native and alumnus of the University of San Diego, Dunn brings an impressive 16-year coaching career at the collegiate and high school levels to CUA.

“Coach Dunn is a proven recruiter and tactician who has worked with some of the best coaches in the business on both sides of the ball,” Allen said. “He has a unique ability to motivate and connect with student-athletes and will bring tremendous enthusiasm and character to our football program. We are fortunate to have him join our university community.”

“Coach Dunn impressed everyone he met during the interview process,” added Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., university president. “He has a great vision for our football program. I am delighted and grateful he has accepted our offer. Athletic Director Mike Allen and his staff did an excellent job recruiting. I know that our football program is in great hands.”

Dunn began his college coaching career in 1990 at his alma mater, where he served as defensive line coach under Brian Fogarty. He also served as an assistant coach at Indiana State, Harvard University and Florida Atlantic University.

In 1997, Dunn was the defensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator for a staff that led Harvard to the Ivy League championship and finished second in the nation in scoring defense. Dunn helped produce six all-conference defensive linemen during his tenure at Harvard.

While at Florida Atlantic University, Dunn worked for legendary football coach Howard Schnellenberger as the running backs and special teams coach. Dunn was an integral member of the coaching staff that propelled FAU to one of the most successful start-up football programs in the history of college football. The Owls were the fastest start-up program to beat a Division I-A opponent. They reached the Division I-AA national semifinals in 2003, the program’s third year of existence.

In 2005, Dunn served as head coach at Becker College in Worcester, Mass. When Becker started its football program in 2005, the college hired Dunn as its first football coach. He was charged with the daunting task of starting a program from scratch. In nine months, Dunn recruited 90 student-athletes to compete in the inaugural season.

Dave Dunn on the job with

Howard Schnellenberger (left).

In addition to his college coaching experience, Dunn compiled a career record of 56-26 as a head high school football coach and led teams in Connecticut and Florida to multiple district and conference championships.

“As a product of a Catholic high school and university, it has been a longtime ambition of mine to have the opportunity to be the head football coach at an institution as prestigious as Catholic University,” Dunn said. “I believe Catholic University has everything in place to aggressively pursue an ODAC championship and continue the path back to national prominence.

“With its strong academic reputation and location in our nation’s capital, CUA will allow our coaching staff to attract talented, well-rounded student-athletes who will excel academically and on the football field,” Dunn added. “The people I’ve met share a great passion for working with students. I am eager to get started.”

What others are saying about Coach Dunn:

Howard Schnellenberger, head football coach, Florida Atlantic University

“I was pleased to be able to hire Coach Dunn from the most prestigious Catholic high school in our area, Pope John Paul II. His past experience as an assistant at Harvard and San Diego enhanced our recruiting ability in a very unique way. Dave has a strong knowledge of the game of football and was a skilled teacher of our pro style offense and defense. He is an exceptionally intelligent person and is adept at coping with new and unique experiences. He will be an outstanding asset to Catholic University.”

Susan Pervi, CUA vice-president for student life

“We are thrilled to welcome Dave Dunn to the CUA community. Student-athletes, so full of promise and Cardinal pride, our vibrant athletic and student life programs will all benefit from his strong leadership skills, experience and commitment to a shared vision for achievement and success.”

Ken Zampese, quarterbacks coach, Cincinnati Bengals

“Dave has an outstanding ability to evaluate talent and get the most out of his players. More importantly, he is a quality person with a great work ethic. He will make Catholic University very proud as their head coach.”

MEDIA: For more information, contact CUA Sports Information Director Mike Baur at 202-

319-5610 or Chris Harrison, CUA’s director of communications, at 202-319-5600.

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Any questions or comments? cu a-public-affairs@cua.edu

Revised: 1/25/2006