Chowan College Men's Football

Paul Johnson enters his fourth season as head coach of the Chowan football program after being named the ninth head coach in program history in January 2023. Johnson guided the Hawks through their inaugural Conference Carolinas season in 2025, leading the program to a 4-7 overall record and a 2-4 mark in conference play. Under his leadership, nine Hawks earned All-Conference honors. Antwone Godley was named to the All-Conference First Team on defense, while Darryl Harris, Isaiah Fulton, Malachi Howell, and Jamall Browning received Defensive Second Team recognition. On the offensive side, Jakobe Lane, Malique Frazier, Dezmond Randolph, and Jack Beylo were selected to the All-Conference Second Team. Dahleal Harmon and Cru Blanchard were also recognized for their success both on the field and in the classroom, earning College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors. Throughout the season, Johnson also coached several Conference Carolinas weekly award winners, with Hawks earning Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week honors on multiple occasions. During the 2024 campaign, Johnson led the Hawks to a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in Gulf South Conference play. He earned his first career victory as Chowan's head coach with a 27-25 win over Mississippi College. The Hawks finished the season with three All-GSC selections, highlighted by wide receiver Jakobe Lane's First Team honors. Gabriel Jackson and Kennypride Toh were both named to the All-GSC Second Team. In his first season at the helm in 2023, Johnson guided the Hawks through their inaugural campaign as members of the Gulf South Conference. Chowan produced its first First Team All-GSC selection, as linebacker Traveon Mitchell led the conference in tackles to earn the honor. Johnson arrived at Chowan after spending two seasons at Bloomsburg University, where he served as offensive coordinator while coaching the tight ends and wide receivers. During his tenure with the Huskies, Bloomsburg averaged 304.2 offensive yards per game in the PSAC East and produced a 700-yard rusher. Prior to Bloomsburg, Johnson spent 10 seasons at the University of Charleston (2011-21). During his first six seasons, he served as the Golden Eagles' run game coordinator and offensive line coach. Four of those teams averaged more than 200 rushing yards per game, and Johnson helped lead Charleston to the program's first postseason appearance in 2015. The Golden Eagles finished 10-2 that season while averaging 41.1 points and 241.3 rushing yards per game. Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2017. During the 2019 season, Charleston produced a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, and a 1,000-yard receiver. He also coached Michael Strachan to All-America honors before Strachan was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2021 NFL Draft. During his tenure at Charleston, Johnson coached 17 All-Conference offensive linemen while helping the Golden Eagles rank among the nation's top 25 in several offensive categories. Before joining Charleston, Johnson served as a graduate assistant at Marshall and West Virginia. During his time at West Virginia, he helped the Mountaineers earn appearances in the Meineke Car Care Bowl and Gator Bowl. A native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Johnson played collegiately at Ohio University under Frank Solich. A three-year starting left guard, he helped the Bobcats earn their first bowl appearance since 1966 with a berth in the 2007 GMAC Bowl. Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in Recreation Management from Ohio in 2008 before completing a master's degree in Athletic Coaching Education at West Virginia in 2010. Johnson and his wife, Kristina, have two daughters and one son.

Chris Dent enters his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Chowan University Football team, serving as the Quarterbacks Coach and Passing Game Coordinator. A former standout quarterback for the Chowan Braves, Dent brings a wealth of coaching experience and a deep passion for the game to the program. In the 2025 season, Dent helped lead a passing offense that totaled 2,145 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air. Working with multiple quarterbacks throughout the year, he played a key role in developing the position group and ensuring the Hawks maintained a productive and efficient passing attack. During the 2024 season, the quarterbacks threw for 1,621 yards. Under his guidance, Maurice Smith led the offense with 1,374 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns, 5 rushing touchdowns, and 397 rushing yards. In the previous season, the team posted 2,112 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, showcasing the continued development of the passing game under Dent's tutelage from year to year. Dent's coaching journey spans over two decades, with a strong focus on high school football in Florida. Before returning to his alma mater, he spent seven successful seasons as the head coach at Port St. Lucie High School (PSL), leading the team to three Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Playoff appearances—an unprecedented achievement in the school's history. He also guided PSL to a district championship, marking the first in 30 years. From 2010 to 2014, Dent also served as the Special Teams Coach, Quarterbacks Coach, and Receivers Coach at PSL, further honing his coaching expertise. Before his tenure at PSL, Dent was the Offensive Coordinator at Saint Lucie West Centennial High School for two seasons and held the same role at John Carroll Catholic High School (2006-09) and Martin County High School (2003-05). He began his coaching career at Fort Pierce Westwood (2001-03) and Lake Placid High School (1999-01), where he made significant contributions to the teams' offensive success. Dent played quarterback from 1995 to 1998 making him the 1st Quarterback in school history to start all 4 years . During his collegiate career, he set the Chowan Division III record for completions and passing yards. He currently ranks in the top-10 in Chowan history in completions (348, 4th), passing yards (3,925, 4th), total offense (3,680, 5th), and passing touchdowns (24, 6th). Dent’s remarkable college career earned him a spot as the starting quarterback for the Chowan All-Time Division III Team, a testament to his impact on the program. A graduate of Chowan University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science in 2000, Dent’s return to his alma mater is both a professional and personal milestone. Outside of football, Dent is married to Donna Pittard, a Chowan alumna and former basketball player. The couple has two sons, Braylon and Trever.

Cody Gray enters his third season on the Chowan University football coaching staff in 2025, now serving as the program’s Associate Head Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, and Linebackers Coach. Gray was promoted to Recruiting Coordinator prior to the 2024 season and now takes on Associate Head Coach duties ahead of the 2025 campaign. In 2024, Gray helped guide a defense that delivered a standout performance across the board. The Hawks totaled 658 tackles—376 solo and 282 assisted—while allowing fewer total tackles than their opponents, signaling the defense's ability to control games. The unit also recorded 47 tackles for loss totaling 138 yards. Under Gray’s leadership, linebacker Kennypride Toh recorded a conference-high 88 tackles and was named Second Team All-Gulf South Conference (GSC). Before Chowan, Gray served as Outside Linebackers Coach at the University of Richmond in 2022. That season, the Spiders boasted one of the top defenses in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), ranking second in scoring defense (20.1 points per game allowed) and first in interceptions (14). Richmond’s defense produced six All-CAA selections, two All-Americans, and featured standout linebacker Tristan Wheeler, who received the Chuck Boone Leadership Award. Prior to that, Gray worked with the Defensive Line at University of Texas Permian Basin for two seasons. During the COVID-shortened spring 2021 campaign, he helped lead the Falcons to a perfect 5-0 record, while the defense allowed just 12.6 points per game. Gray began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Richmond, where he served as a student assistant on defense in 2019, helping the Spiders rank top-five in the CAA in total defense, pass defense, and sacks. In 2020, he transitioned to the offensive side of the ball as an Offensive Quality Control Coach, giving him a well-rounded understanding of all phases of the game. As a player, Gray was a member of the defensive line at Richmond. He graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Leadership Studies.

Maverick Wolfley enters his second season with the Chowan football program, coaching the wide receivers and tight ends while adding the responsibilities of Recruiting Coordinator and Special Teams Coordinator. Wolfley comes to Chowan after serving as the Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Assistant at Minot State University as well as a Graduate Assistant for Tight Ends & Running Backs at the University of West Florida. As a player, Wolfley competed at every level of football. A native of Morgantown, West Virginia, he was a standout at Morgantown High School. Starting out at West Virginia University in Spring of 2017 before moving on to the University of Akron, where he was a four-year member, three-year starter, and part of the Zips’ 2017 MAC Championship Game appearance and 2017 Boca Raton Bowl. Wolfley later transferred to the University of West Florida, where he was a two-year starter, two-time Gulf South Conference champion, and helped lead the Argonauts to two NCAA Division II playoff appearances, including a Final Four run. After college, Wolfley earned an opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers Mini-Camp and workouts with XFL and UFL teams as a long snapper. Wolfley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Akron and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of West Florida.

Andre Davis enters his first season as an assistant coach of the defensive line, while also serving as the strength and conditioning coach for the football program. Davis comes to Chowan from Manchester High School, where he has served as the varsity defensive line coach and junior varsity head coach since 2023. As coach of the Lancers, Davis has focused on player development with the defensive line, game preparation, and mentorship, while emphasizing academic and athletic success on and off the field. Prior to Manchester, Davis served as the varsity defensive line coach at Cosby High School from 2022-23. During his time with the Titans, he helped develop player skills and game knowledge while working alongside the coaching staff to build successful team strategies and promote personal growth among student-athletes. A former standout student-athlete, Davis earned All-State, All-Region, All-Metro, and All-District honors during his playing career at L.C. Bird High School, where he helped the program capture a state championship in 2014. Davis earned his Associate of Science degree in General Education from John Tyler Community College in 2018 before receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Bluefield University in 2022. With experience as both a player and coach at the high school and collegiate levels, Davis brings a strong background in player development and leadership to the Hawks coaching staff.  

Chris Bernhard enters his second season with the Chowan football program and first as a full-time assistant coach, working with the Hawks' defensive backs. During the 2025 season, Bernhard served as a graduate assistant and played a key role in the development of Chowan's secondary. The Hawks' defense recorded 10 interceptions and 20 pass breakups on the season, while helping produce five defensive All-Conference Carolinas selections, including First Team honoree Antwone Godley. The secondary played a pivotal role in several key victories throughout the year and helped the Hawks remain among the conference's top defensive units. Prior to his time at Chowan, Bernhard graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Health and Physical Education and a concentration in Sports Science and Coaching. He served as a Student Assistant Coach for the Mountaineers from 2022 to 2024. During his time at App State, he worked closely with the inside linebackers unit, contributing to player development, scouting reports, practice preparation, game planning, and defensive signaling. Before his collegiate experience, Bernhard coached at Weddington High School in North Carolina, where he served as the Varsity and JV Quarterbacks Coach and JV Offensive Coordinator. His leadership helped produce two Division I quarterbacks and contributed to Weddington's top-six state ranking in 2021. A three-time state champion as a player at Weddington High School, Bernhard brings championship experience, attention to detail, and a passion for player development to his role with the Hawks.

Hall will enter his ninth season with the Chowan University football program. Hall is one of four coaches that came to Chowan with Tim Place from Urbana University. Hall serves as Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers. He was instrumental in cultivating national talent Robert Holland.  The 2013 CIAA Offensive Player of the Year owns all of the Chowan receiving records and set the CIAA and NCAA DII career reception record (325) during his final season.  Holland was drafted to the Calgary Stampeders as part of the Canadian Football League shortly upon graduation from Chowan. In 2012, he guided freshman wide receiver Ryan Nolan to a spot on the CIAA All-Rookie Team.  Nolan started all 10 games during his rookie campaign, and led the Hawks in receptions (39), season receiving yards (634) and touchdowns (6) while averaging 63.4 receiving yards per game.  As a team in 2012, the Hawks averaged 430.7 yards of offense per game, and averaged 32.8 points per game during their first winning season since 1999.   In 2011, he helped cultivate national talent and All-CIAA wide receiver Robert Holland.  Holland caught 69 passes for 943 yards last season, to go along with thirteen total touchdowns. The Miamisburg, Ohio native got his start in college level coaching at Urbana in 2005 after completing his B.S. in Sports Leisure Activities. At Urbana, he coached the running backs and quarterbacks and was promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2007.   Hall was a three-year starter and was a first team All-Ohio selection his senior year at Miamisburg High School. He graduated from Urbana in 2005 with his B.S. and in May of 2007, he graduated from Urbana University with an M.S. in Education. He and his wife Amy reside in Murfreesboro, N.C. Together they have two daughters, Avery and Makaylin. He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association and also serves as a part time instructor in the SSPE Department at Chowan.