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1999 Media Guide

KEVIN CALLAHAN Seventh Season Overall Record - 33-22/NEC Record - 10-3

On the day he was named the first head football coach in the history of Monmouth University, Kevin Callahan was asked plenty of questions regarding his feelings toward starting a program from the ground floor.

"The whole thing is a risk," said Callahan on that August day in 1992. With what has happened to the Hawks' football program over the last seven years, Monmouth is sure glad it was a risk worth taking.

What he has accomplished during his tenure at the West Long Branch institution is nothing short of remarkable. Only once has a Monmouth team finished below .500 and that came during the Hawks' inaugural year of 1993. Since then there have been 31 victories, two conference co-championships and a program that has been rated among the top 10 in I-AA non-scholarship football in each of the last three seasons. Along the way, Monmouth has been ranked among the top 20 in total offense (1997, 1998) and defense (1994, 1995, 1998), while numerous players have earned both conference and regional accolades.
 

Last season, Callahan earned his own accolade as he was named the Northeast Conference's Coach of the Year after leading a young Monmouth squad to its second NEC co-championship in three years while establishing over 30 new school records. It's an honor he won't take much credit for, instead insisting it was his staff and players who were most responsible for the award.  Callahan arrived at Monmouth following eight seasons at Colgate University. While at the Patriot League school, he served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, while coaching the linebackers. He also served as Colgate's recruiting coordinator.  During his tenure as Colgate's defensive coordinator, he coached 11 All-Patriot League performers. In 1987, Colgate had the ninth-best rushing defense in the country, allowing just 111.9 yards per game. In 1990, the Red Raiders were the second best team in the Patriot League in total defense, setting a school record for fewest yards allowed in an 11-game season.

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Prior to his arrival at Colgate, Callahan spent three years (1981-83) at Wagner College where he was the defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. During his tenure at the Staten Island school, the Seahawks compiled a 25-4-2 record and were ranked in the top 10 in Division III in each of his three seasons.

In 1980, he served as an assistant coach at Syracuse University. At Syracuse, Callahan worked as the assistant offensive backfield coach.

Callahan began his coaching career in 1977 at the University at Albany as a graduate assistant. He spent his first campaign at Albany coaching the offensive backfield, and the next two years leading the outside linebackers.

A 1977 graduate of the University of Rochester with a degree in history, Callahan  lettered four times for the Yellowjackets at defensive back. In his senior year, he was named the defensive MVP and earned honorable mention Associated Press Little All-American and  ECAC All-East honors.

Back on that day in 1992, Callahan continued his thought saying,  "you can go through life and never take a risk and never improve yourself. It's when you take a risk that you find out just how good you can be."

After all he's achieved, apparently real good.