Christopher Newport athletic director Kyle McMullin announced that Paul Crowley has been named head football coach. Crowley, a Christopher Newport graduate and all-conference offensive lineman, had been serving as the program's interim head coach since Nov. 7, after Art Link was let go.
CNU was 5-5 this past season, 3-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
"Our search led us to many great candidates but none are as uniquely qualified as Paul Crowley," McMullin said. "Paul is one of the rocks that the foundation of this program is built upon, and for more than a decade has provided leadership and been a mentor to the young men that compete at Christopher Newport. He is an exceptional recruiter, an outstanding football coach and someone that demands the very best of those around him."
Crowley most recently has served as the program's recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach. The Virginia Beach native played for the Captains under Matt Kelchner from 2005-2008, earning first team All-USA South honors as a center. He also was a first team All-State selection in Division II-III.
"As a graduate of Christopher Newport, Paul understands our commitment to leadership and service in the pursuit of excellence on the gridiron," university president Paul Trible said. "His passion for Captains football was evident during his time as a player and his dedication to the program and this university is unwavering."
"I am extremely excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead the football program at my alma mater," Crowley said. "This is a university and football program that has a very special place in my heart. I have seen it as both a player and a coach, and know exactly what is required in order for our students to exceed on and off the field."
Crowley began his coaching career on Kelchner's staff in 2009, and immediately showed his versatility as an assistant coach. He spent eight seasons (2009-2016) working with numerous position groups and also eventually rose to the rank of recruiting coordinator. His efforts included mentoring running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen.
Crowley held the role of Christopher Newport's primary play-caller during the 2015 and 2016 campaigns. He led the Captains to two of the top four passing seasons in school history, and the squad ranked among the New Jersey Athletic Conference's top two passing offenses both years quarterbacks Tyler Quigley and KJ Kearney both earned All-NJAC distinction, while Kearney set the single-season school record for completion percentage in 2016.
In addition to the accolades earned by the Captains' signal callers during those two campaigns, Crowley also produced an all-conference standout during every season in which he was a full-time coach. Highlighting the list of players who benefited from Crowley's tutelage are wide receivers Taylor Loudan, the 2016 NJAC Offensive Player of the Year, and Rudy Rudolph, a four-time all-conference standout. As the running backs coach in 2014, Crowley guided Daquan Davis to record 16 touchdowns en route to earning All-USA South distinction.
Crowley departed Christopher Newport and spent two seasons coaching the running backs at the College of William and Mary in 2017 and 2018 during the final two years of legendary coach Jimmye Laycock's tenure. He returned to the Captains coaching staff in 2019.
"I am thrilled to lead, coach and mentor this exceptional group of young men," Crowley said. "And I am excited to be their coach as we begin the work necessary to compete for championships."