The Spire

Ben Lepper ‘25

Chief Sports Editor

Over the past few months, the Holy Cross football team has fallen victim to the unpleasant side effect of success. In the weeks following the season’s end, it became abundantly clear that the team would be undergoing some major changes. 

Several Holy Cross players, such as Jacob Dobbs, Tyler Purdy, Terrence Spence, and Eric Schon, would enter the transfer portal after the season, as their undergraduate eligibility had run out. But the real sign that something was happening was the surprising number of undergraduates entering the transfer portal as well: Matt Sluka entered with one year of eligibility, and freshman Stu Smith entered after only one semester. Something was amiss.

Then, on December 7, the news that Holy Cross fans were dreading finally broke: Bob Chesney would be leaving the Crusaders for the James Madison Dukes. While it is disappointing to see such a great coach leave, he has undoubtedly earned a chance to coach at the FBS level, and it would have been foolish of him to not take that job. Dobbs, Purdy, Spence, and Pat McMurtrie would follow him to Virginia, along with coaches Drew Canan, Drew Kennedy, and Anthony “DiMike” DiMichele. After a near-perfect 2023 season from JMU, Chesney should be able to immediately continue his winning ways – just in a different shade of purple.

Several Crusaders also found new homes through the aforementioned transfer portal. All-American lineman Luke Newman received an opportunity to play for his favorite team, the Michigan State Spartans, and will be suiting up in green and silver next season. Stu Smith also went to the Big 10, joining the Purdue Boilermakers as a preferred walk-on. Eric Schon will be spending his last year of eligibility at Duke. And, last but certainly not least, Matt Sluka decided to relocate to Las Vegas to join the UNLV Rebels after receiving interest from what seemed like every D1 program in the United States. With all those transfers, as well as Jalen Coker and CJ Hanson declaring for the NFL Draft, it’s clear that the Crusaders will look a lot different next year.

Luckily, athletic director Kit Hughes clearly had a succession plan in place for the head coaching position. Just over a week after Chesney’s departure, Dan Curran was named the team’s new coach. Curran spent 11 seasons as Merrimack’s head coach, guiding them through the transition to D1, and leading them to back-to-back NEC championship games. The hire was instantly regarded as a great one by members of the football team, as well as UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, who sent in a massive endorsement.

To fill out the rest of Curran’s staff, the Crusaders promoted Brian Vaganek, a longtime assistant coach, to defensive coordinator. Rich Gunnell will also return as the wide receivers coach. The team also hired from outside the organization, bringing on Bryan Robbat as the special teams coordinator, Andrew Dresner as the offensive coordinator, Valdamar Brower as the defensive line coach, Matt Schell as the tight ends coach, Jesse Montiero as the quarterbacks coach, Jimmy Walsh as the safeties coach, Patrick Denecke as the offensive line coach, and Kevin Falaki as the running backs coach. This is going to be a new look Crusader football team next season, but it’s clear that Curran’s got his guys.

It’s clear that this team is going to look a lot different next year, but make no mistake, this is still a team that should be able to compete for the Patriot League Championship once again. It’s Joe Pesansky’s show now, and he impressed in his appearances this past season. Jordan Fuller should be back from injury, and Justin Shorter is back for his senior year, as well. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Frankie Monte should continue his rise to dominance that began in the tail end of this past season, and defensive lineman William Robinson, a freshman All-American, should be a stalwart of the line for years to come. In the secondary, Jake Jarmolowich and Curtis Harris-Lopez will be back, and many of the underclassmen, like Eli Thompson and Adam Due, should continue to develop nicely under the new staff. 

While things may not be the same as they have been the past few years, the Crusaders should still be one of the best teams in the Patriot League once they start playing again. And, of course, to all of the players and coaches who have departed over the past few months – you’ll always be Crusaders to us.