Assumption University Men's Football

2024 was full of close conference games. The Greyhounds finished with an overall record of 6-4, and a 5-3 record among Northeast-10 opponents. A four-game winning streak highlighted the start of the season. On Homecoming Weekend, Assumption took down a University of New Haven team that was on its way to a second consecutive NE10 title. The 19-14 upset came in front of a packed house at Brian Kelly '83 Stadium. Coach McKenzie had two players, Dion Kuinlan and Massimo Sgambati named to the Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-American Honorable Mention Team. Kuinlan was an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) First Team All-American as well as a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award.  2022 was McKenzie's most successful season so far. The Greyhounds posted an 8-3 record while going 6-1 in conference. A home win over the University of New Haven flipped the script on the season, shifting the NE10 in the favor of the Blue and White. Assumption performed very well on the road, going 5-1 including a 21-12 victory over Saint Anselm College to clinch the NE10 title, their third in program history. Assumption took home plenty of hardware for their accomplishments. McKenzie was named the Northeast-10 Coach of the Year, becoming the first Assumption coach since Bob Chesney (2017) to receive the honor. Gabriel Bertolazzo, Isaiah Huff, Tom MacDonald, Brandon Santell, and Lorenzo Valencia were all named ot the NE10 First Team, while Tre'Sean Bouie, Matthew Connolly, Jael Feliz, Berrell Neal, and Quinn Seiger all made Second Team. Tindell Frick and Jack McCoy joined Connelly on the All-Rookie Team.  In McKenzie's third season in charge of the program, the Hounds posted a 5-5 overall record while going 5-3 in conference. Notable wins on the season include a 26-0 victory over Southern Connecticut State and a 44-35 win at home vs Saint Anselm on Senior Day. Throughout McKenzie's time as Head Coach, he has improved Assumption's ability to defend their home turf. At home in 2019, the Hounds had a 4-1 home record.  Andy McKenzie enters his second season at Assumption after leading the program to a 6-4 record in 2018. In 2019, the Greyhounds posted a 6-4 record again. They won four straight games against NE10 opponents in their first five games. The Hounds won vs Saint Anselm, Southern Connecticut State, Franklin Pierce, and Bentley in that run. In 2019, Assumption scored 34.30 points per game. Their last win on the season was a thrilling overtime victory over Stonehill 40-37 on Homecoming.  McKenzie has over 20 years of collegiate playing and coaching experience, including more than 10 years at the Division I FCS level. In McKenzie's first season, Assumption posted its sixth straight winning season while leading the NE10 in scoring at 37.2 points per game game. The team was also second in the NE10 in scoring defense at 20.4 points per game. Five players were named First-Team All-Conference, while six more earned Second or Third Team honors. Senior Deonte Harris was named an AFCA Second-Team All-American while finishing his career with an NCAA record 14 career return touchdowns.  COACHING CAREER Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at The College of Holy Cross (2008-2015) Instrumental in development of 2008/2009 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Dominic Randolph 2009 Patriot League Championship Coached Peter Pujals to Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2014 Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at Allegheny College Lead Gators to the 2003 North Coast Athletic Conference Title 2003 Offense set 17 school records Assistant Coach at Northeastern University (Wide Recievers/Secondary) Quarterbacks Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at Williams College Assistant Baseball Coach at Williams College AWARDS 2023 Northeast-10 Coach of the Year PLAYING CAREER As an undergraduate, he was a first team All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection as wide receiver in 1993 and 1994 at Allegheny College Over his four seasons Allegheny went 38-6, reaching the NCAA Tournament on multiple times PERSONAL LIFE McKenzie currently resides in Gardner with his wife, Salwa, and his two children Braeden and Yasmine. McKenzie earned his bachelor's degree in English from Allegheny College in 1996, and went on to earn a master's degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California (Pa.) University in 2006. HEAD COACHING RECORD Season School Overall Pct. Conf. Pct. Regular Season Conference Title Postseason 2022 Assumption 8-3 .727 6-1 .857 8-3 Won NE10 title, advanced to NCAA Division II First Round 0-1 2021 Assumption 5-5 .500 5-3 .625 5-5 N/A 2020 Assumption COVID 2019 Assumption 6-4 .600 5-3 .625 6-4 N/A 2018 Assumption 6-4 .600 6-3 .667 6-4 N/A 5 Seasons Career 25-16 .610 22-10 .689 25-16 Postseason Record: 0-1

Quentin Hall returns to Worcester and the Assumption Greyhounds program as an Assistant Coach, bringing both deep ties to the school and a wealth of experience from his playing days. A native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Hall starred on the Assumption offensive line, where he earned significant recognition for his performance. In 2019, he was honored as an AFCA First-Team All-American, as well as All-New England and Northeast-10 Offensive Lineman of the Year. Assumption University Over his collegiate career, he appeared in 10 games in several seasons and served as a cornerstone of the Greyhounds’ front. 

Danny Williams, a former standout wide receiver for Assumption University, returned to his alma mater in 2025 as the Wide Receivers Coach. A product of the Greyhounds program, Williams brings energy, passion, and first-hand knowledge of what it takes to compete in the Northeast-10 Conference.

Jael Feliz returns home to Worcester, joining the Assumption University football staff as an Assistant Coach. A former Greyhound linebacker, Feliz brings a deep connection to the program, hands-on experience from his playing days, and a passion for mentoring young defenders. As a student-athlete at Assumption, Feliz was a mainstay in the linebacker corps. In 2021, he started every game and recorded 66 total tackles (46 solo), added 5 tackles for loss, and posted 2 sacks. In 2022, he continued as a fixture on defense, collecting 64 tackles (43 solo), 10.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and even recorded a blocked kick. Assumption University. His efforts included a season-high 12 tackles and a sack against Kutztown. 

John Vassar joins the Greyhounds’ staff as Running Backs Coach, bringing his commitment to player development, community roots, and a strong track record as both coach and mentor. As an alumnus of Assumption, Vassar returns home with a passion for elevating the program that shaped him. A Worcester native and 2011 graduate of Saint John’s High School, Vassar went on to play his college football at Wesleyan University, where he competed as a running back and developed a deep understanding of rushing schemes, ball security, and physical toughness on the ground.  In his coaching journey, Vassar has combined youth development, high school leadership, and positional mentorship. He has coached at Doherty High School and St. Paul’s in Worcester, and in 2023, he was named Head Football Coach at Saint John’s High School. Outside the high school ranks, Vassar has also served in roles with Nike Sports Camps and other developmental platforms.

Assumption University football welcomed Carson Primrose to the Greyhounds’ coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season as the program’s Defensive Line Coach. A former Division I standout with experience at both Sacred Heart Universityand the University of Rhode Island, Primrose brings first-hand knowledge of competing at a high level along with a growing coaching résumé that emphasizes discipline, fundamentals, and player development. Primrose began his collegiate playing career at Sacred Heart, where he contributed to one of the Northeast Conference’s most competitive programs. He later transferred to the University of Rhode Island, competing in the Colonial Athletic Association, one of the premier FCS conferences in the nation. His time in both programs allowed him to develop as a versatile defensive lineman, while earning respect for his work ethic, toughness, and leadership on and off the field.

David Castillo enters his first season as the Defensive Coordinator for Assumption University football. Castillo arrives in Worcester after building a strong reputation as both a defensive strategist and recruiter across multiple stops in Division II football. Most recently, Castillo served as the Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at Elizabeth City State University, where he guided the Vikings to one of the top pass defenses in the country while also improving the program’s production in sacks, third-down stops, and red zone efficiency. Prior to his time at ECSU, he spent four seasons at Seton Hill University as the Special Teams Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, and Defensive Backs Coach. While with the Griffins, he mentored multiple All-PSAC West and All-Region selections and played a key role in recruiting efforts. Castillo also gained coaching experience at his alma mater, East Stroudsburg University, and in semi-professional football circuits, further developing his expertise in defensive back play and scheme design. A standout cornerback during his playing career at East Stroudsburg, Castillo was a four-year starter for the Warriors. He appeared in 38 games and totaled nine interceptions and 36 pass breakups, finishing with 45 passes defended. He earned First Team All-PSAC East honors as a senior after leading the league in passes defended per game with three interceptions and 13 breakups. Following college, Castillo continued his playing career at the semi-professional level with the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, NEPA Miners, and Erie Explosion.

Eastburn was hired as the Assumption University Football Offensive Coordinator in February 2025. Eastburn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Greyhounds. Eastburn joins the Assumption staff after serving as the offensive coordinator at Western New England University.  At WNEU, Eastburn's offense ranked second in the Conference of New England over the past two seasons, averaging 31.3 points over the three years. He coached 14 All-Conference players in three seasons, with eight being named to the first team. Prior to joining the coaching staff at the University of Dubuque, Eastburn spent three years at Black Hills State University as the offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach. Eastburn has also made stops at Coe College, Southwest Minnesota State University, Pomona High School, and Fairview High School, all focusing on the offensive game of football.  While at the University of Dubuque, he helped the football team to a 7-3 season in 2019 as the recruiting coordinator and quarterbacks coach, which included two wins over nationally ranked opponents. As the recruiting coordinator, Eastburn oversaw the identification, evaluation, recruitment, and commitment of over 200 student-athletes. He ran the run game during the 2021 season, seeing Dubuque rush for 1,753 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just under four yards per carry.  A native of Boulder, Colorado, Eastburn played two years of football at the University of Maryland, College Park, as an offensive lineman before transferring back to his hometown of Boulder, Colorado, to play his final two years at the University of Colorado, where he graduated with a degree in political science.