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Football Joe Ginley '16, SID

Dean Paul Hired as Assistant Head Coach for JCU Football

The veteran brings 25 years of experience as a head coach.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – A 25-year veteran Division III head coach is joining the John Carroll Football coaching staff. 

The new addition is a familiar name in both Division III and Ohio Athletic Conference coaching circles after a lengthy stint at Ohio Northern. 

Dean Paul has joined the JCU staff as Assistant Head Coach. Paul will assist on the defensive side of the ball for the Blue Streaks. 

"I am excited to welcome Dean and his wife, Tonya, to the John Carroll University community," said Head Coach Jeff Behrman '95. "Dean brings with him over 30 years of coaching experience, including 25 years as a head coach. Dean is a proven winner, having won 161 games as a head coach. He is someone that operates with integrity, class, and humility. I look forward to the impact he will make within the program."

Paul most recently enjoyed a successful 20-year run as the head coach for Ohio Northern. From 2004-23, Paul built a very strong program in Ada. He compiled a 121-77 record, a winning percentage of .611. The Polar Bears finished with a .500 record or better in 16 of his 20 campaigns. 

At ONU, Paul's teams made two NCAA Playoff appearances in 2010 and 2015. Ohio Northern frequently competed in the OAC, finishing third or higher in the standings 10 times. The Polar Bears also made frequent trips overseas under Paul, with six ventures to Europe during his tenure. Additionally, Paul directed the program's football camps and served as a lecturer for a study skills class. 

"For me, it's about the people, program, and place. I've always had a lot of respect for John Carroll as a program and an institution with an excellent academic reputation and great campus," Paul said. "The Carroll people I've met over the years – I've had family and friends here – are high character people. It starts with a no ego mentality. I've been a head coach, but my passion for coaching is not wrapped around a title. I have a lot of experience with not only the OAC, but the NCAC, with several years at Wooster and my first coaching stop at Allegheny when they were in the NCAC. I also know a lot of high school coaches in Ohio. Alex Gray has a great background as a defensive coach, and I have a good grasp of what teams in the OAC bring offensively. I'm excited to help out this great program that's on an exciting trajectory."

Prior to his time in Ada, Paul enjoyed a successful run at Thomas More College. Paul worked as the head coach for the Saints for five seasons, compiling a 40-12 record. Paul guided his 2001 squad to a perfect 10-0 regular season record. Thomas More finished its season with an 11-1 record and a final ranking of No. 18 in the AFCA poll.

Paul also spent assistant coaching stints at Mount Union, Allegheny, Tulane, the College of Wooster, and Fordham. He is a 1990 Mount Union graduate, earning All-OAC honors at running back in 1988 and 1990. 

Paul is one of just two active NCAA Division III coaches to guide two different schools to playoff wins. He has coached a total of 33 All-Americans during his 24-year career. Paul's lifetime record of 161-89 places him in the top-10 winningest active coaches in NCAA D-III. 

Off the field, Paul has served as a voting member for the D3football.com poll and on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Football Council. Paul is also proud of the accomplishments at his previous stops in the areas of academics and community service. 

"I've always tried to make sure our guys were excelling in the classroom," said Paul. "Whether it was GPAs, graduation rates, or retention rates. We know we're judged by how many games you win, which goes with the territory, but we've always tried to set high goals with academic performance and community service. You want to set a standard there.

"With community service, we've been part of great projects. We had Victory Day, which always brought tears to my eyes. We held a football game for developmentally disabled students, and some young adults. To watch them score touchdowns, it was amazing. I've also served as a board member for Be the Match alongside Andy Waddle [head coach at Marietta]. Over the course of two years, we increased the number of participating Ohio schools from five to over twenty. Last year, we had our first match [at ONU], while Marietta, Capital, and JCU all have had one recently too. There are a lot of great community service projects, but when you can save a life as a university community, that's special."

Paul's hire follows the addition of another successful veteran coach, new defensive coordinator Alex Gray. 

"I am very excited to welcome Dean Paul into the Blue Streak football family," said Director of Athletics Brian Polian '97. "He brings with him decades of head coaching experience, a wealth of football knowledge, and extensive recruiting expertise. Coach Paul is going to serve as a resource for Coach Behrman and the rest of staff as well as a proven teacher for our young men.

"With the additions of Alex Gray and now Dean Paul, I could not be more excited about the make-up of our coaching staff and the future of the football program. It has been a strong off-season for the Streaks!"

Paul meshes well with the current coaching staff in place, as his philosophy gels with what Gray and the staff are looking to accomplish on defense.

"John Carroll defensive players are tough, physical, and talented. I've respected and admired the program for a long time. Defensively, I think of guys who can tackle, and won't make many mistakes," said Paul. "I subscribe to the theory that teams that play fast play best because they know where to be, which is a key part of Coach Gray's philosophy."

Paul is very excited to join a savvy coaching staff and help to build upon a strong foundation in University Heights.

"I want to thank all of the players and staff I've had the chance to work with in the past. At JCU, I want to thank Jeff Behrman and Brian Polian," Paul said. "It's been great to get to know them, and I'm looking forward to working with them. I have enjoyed meeting the rest of the staff and getting to know them, too. Whatever colors you wear, you establish memories with great people. 

"I also want to thank my incredible wife, Tonya, my daughter, Kendra, and my two sons, Bryce and Brandon. Tonya and I are excited about being in Northeast Ohio, and we have plenty of family in the area. Plus we're Browns fans and Guardians fans, so we're excited to get to more games."

Paul begins in his role immediately for the Blue Streaks. 
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