Merrimack College Announces 2013 Football Coaching Staff

Merrimack football head coach Dan Curran announced on Thursday his first coaching staff since taking over the reins of the Warriors program in late February. Curran has four new coaches working under him along with new assigned roles for returning coaches.

“Continuity within the staff is a critical component for the long term success of any college football program and we are fortunate to continue to have Coach Gennetti, Coach Dicenso, Coach O'Toole, and Coach Kuhne be a part of the Merrimack College Football Program,” said first year head coach Dan Curran.

Mike Gennetti will take over as Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator after being a part of the Merrimack staff for the past nine seasons. Gennetti has served as the Defensive Coordinator for the Warriors over the past couple seasons and has coached some of the greatest defensive players in program history in Shawn Loiseau and Tony Johnson.

Pat O’Toole returns under Curran as the Defensive Line coach and Director of Football Operations. O’Toole will oversee all travel, meals and day-to-day operations for the Warriors along with serving as the Defensive Line coach. 2013 will be O’Toole’s fifth season with the Warriors as he previously served as the Linebackers coach for the past four seasons. O’Toole worked with Current Indianapolis Colt Shawn Loiseau during his record breaking four year career at Merrimack.

Coaching the offensive line will be fifth year coach, Mike DiCenso. DiCenso has served as offensive line coach for the past two seasons and has coached all-conference members Zach Gilbert and Michael Hubbard.

John Kuhne will return to the Warriors staff in 2013 and will serve as the Warriors Running Backs and Special Teams Coordinator. This will be Kuhne’s sixth season as a part of the Warriors staff as he served as the Special Teams Coordinator over the past five seasons.

“I am also excited about the additions of Andrew Dresner, Pat Graham, Jake Babin, and Mike Romanella to the Merrimack coaching staff for the upcoming season,” stated Curran.

The Warriors will add two new coaches to the offensive side of the ball as Andrew Dresner will be the Quarterbacks Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Dresner comes to Merrimack after one season at Worcester Polytechnic Institute as their Quarterbacks Coach and two seasons at his alma mater Union College. Dresner played two seasons at Union College as a wide receiver.

"Coach Dresner is a bright young coach who has a great future in this business,” stated Curran. “Coach Dresner has experience as a play caller and is a proven recruiter."

Michael Romanella will serve as Offensive Assistant for the upcoming season after finishing up a four year playing career with the Warriors following the 2012 season. Romanella played quarterback and wide receiver for the Warriors during his time in a Warrior jersey.

On the defensive side of the ball, Patrick Graham has been added to the staff as Linebackers Coach. Graham returns to Merrimack after serving as the Warriors Linebackers and Strength and Condition Coach from 1996-1999. Last season Graham served as the Linebackers coach at Saint Anselm College and before that stint he was the head coach at Methuen High School, posting a 26-18 record over his four seasons. Graham also had coaching stints with Harvard and Central Connecticut State over his coaching career.

"Coach Graham has a proven track record as a successful coach at both the collegiate and high school levels,” said Curran. “As an assistant in the college ranks Coach Graham has spent time the Defensive Line and Linebackers at Harvard, Merrimack College, and his alma mater Central Connecticut."

Jake Babin joins the Merrimack coaching staff as the Assistant Director of Football Operations for the 2013 season. The North Andover, Mass. native will assist O’Toole with the day-to-day operations of the Merrimack football program.