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Cory Lizalde

Joey Torok '23, Nate Dean, and Joe Vacik Added to Football Staff; Dean Paul Elevated to DC

| By: JCUSID

JCU Football will have three new coaches on staff and Dean Paul will serve as Defensive Coordinator

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – As spring ball winds down, John Carroll Football has announced three additions and one promotion for the coaching staff.

Joey Torok '23, Joe Vacik, and Nate Dean have been added to the coaching staff for the 2025 campaign. Entering his second season on the staff, Dean Paul has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator. 

"I'm excited to bring aboard three great coaches to our staff," said Head Coach Jeff Behrman '95. "Joey, Joe, and Nate will be strong communicators and leaders for our student-athletes. Dean did an outstanding job for us last season, and I know he will continue to be an excellent leader in his role as defensive coordinator." 

Joey Torok will assume the role of running backs coach, taking over for Joe Collins '23, who took a graduate assistant position at Temple University. Torok is a familiar name for Blue Streaks fans. The 2023 John Carroll graduate earned four varsity letters as a standout wide receiver for the Blue Streaks. The Kirtland native earned All-OAC Honorable Mention status in 2022, also garnering Academic All-OAC honors. In four seasons, Torok accumulated 104 receptions for 1,491 yards and 9 touchdowns, including a memorable and record-tying 99-yard touchdown reception against Muskingum on October 28, 2023. 

After graduating from JCU, Torok interned at Code Chiro and T3 Performance. Before accepting this position, Torok was working full-time as a strength and conditioning coach for T3 Performance and Lakewood High School. 

Joe Vacik will coach the Outside Linebackers and take on the role of Special Teams Coordinator. The Saginaw, Michigan native most recently served as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga working with the linebackers and special teams. During the 2023 season, Vacik worked as an assistant at the University of Findlay, guiding the cornerbacks, outside linebackers, and specialists while assisting with video coordination. 

Previously, Vacik was a graduate assistant at Heidelberg University, mentoring the linebackers and helping with special teams, strength & conditioning, and more. Additionally, Vacik spent a stint at Gannon University. Vacik graduated from Central Michigan University in 2021 after helping as a student assistant coach for four seasons.   

Nate Dean is no stranger to John Carroll, having played and coached against the Blue Streaks. Dean's last stop was at Mount St. Joseph, where he coached the defensive backs last season. JCU beat MSJ in the First Round of the NCAA Playoffs last year. Dean coached an All-HCAC pick and the HCAC Newcomer of the Year. Previously, Dean was the cornerbacks coach at Hiram College in 2023. 

The Euclid native also coached track at Villa Angela-Saint Joseph and interned at Speed & Strength Systems. The VASJ grad earned three football letters as a wideout at Ohio Northern, also competing in track & field. Dean earned All-American honors in 2020 in the indoor 200m, and 11 All-OAC honors. He earned his degree in Exercise Physiology from ONU.

Dean Paul enters his second season on the John Carroll coaching staff. The former longtime ONU head coach fit right in during his first year in University Heights. Paul assumes the role after the departure of Alex Gray. Paul provided veteran leadership for a defense filled with youth last year, helping to guide a successful defensive unit. JCU limited 7 of 12 opponents to 14 points or less. John Carroll finished third in the OAC in points per game allowed and second in yards per game allowed. 

Paul has enjoyed success at every stop of his career, and his depth of experience makes him the perfect fit to mentor the defense. Paul also serves as assistant head coach, providing high-level support for Behrman and the coaching staff. 
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