Dean College Men's Football

Luke Bakanowsky enters his first season as Head Coach of Dean's football program. Coach Bak comes to Dean from New England College, where he served as the team’s Offensive Coordinator in 2024 during their inaugural season. During that span, the team finished with a record of 4-3, securing a positive winning percentage despite having an entirely away schedule.    Before the Pilgrims, Bakanowsky spent one season as offensive coordinator with the Endicott football program in 2022-23. The gulls enjoyed a perfect 10-0 regular season and hosted a home playoff game. Endicott led the CCC in points scored and touchdowns.    Bakanowsky also worked at Merrimack College (NCAA Division I FCS) where he served as its Wide Receivers Coach from July 2018 before being promoted to quarterback coach/passing game coordinator in March of 2020. In 2021, the Warriors' passing game led the Northeast Conference in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, passer rating, and overall completions, while also placing top 10 in the nation in touchdown passes and completion percentage, at seventh and third overall, respectively.    Prior to Merrimack, Bakanowsky served as the quarterbacks coach at Nichols College for a little over a year before culminating with a promotion to Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach/Recruiting Coordinator for his final two years with the program. As Offensive Coordinator, his Bison offenses reset nearly every offensive record.    Bakanowsky earned his Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Sport Management from Merrimack in May of 2015, where he was a four-year scholarship QB for the Warriors.  Bakanowsky currently resides in Acton, MA with his wife Allison.    

Antonio Young enters his first season as Head Coach of the Women's Flag Football program. He is also entering his first season as Defensive Coordinator for the Football program. He was hired in the summer of 2026. Coach Young brings a wealth of experience to the Bulldogs. Prior to Dean, he served as an Assistant Coach with Amherst College. In 2025, he coached the Mammoths' wide receivers and returners, helping guide Carter Jung and Christian Moore to Second Team All-NESCAC honors. Amherst led the NESCAC in completions (204), generated more than 2,000 yards of offense through the passing game, and ranked among the nation's top 50 NCAA Division III programs in total completions. "Antonio Young is a proven leader whose experience and football knowledge make him an outstanding addition to our department," Vice President of Athletics & Recreation Geoff Lerner expressed. "His ability to serve as both the Head Coach of our new women's flag football program and Defensive Coordinator for football speaks to the versatility and expertise he brings. We are excited about the energy, culture, and competitive excellence he will bring to both programs." Prior to coaching receivers, Young worked with Amherst's defensive backs in 2024, developing First Team All-NESCAC safety and team MVP Luke Harmon. The secondary recorded six interceptions and 23 pass breakups while producing seven NESCAC All-Academic selections. Before Amherst, Young spent the spring and summer of 2024 as a Recruiting Analyst and Defensive Line assistant at a Virginia HBCU, assisting with recruiting operations, prospect evaluations, player personnel, and spring football activities. "The addition of Coach Young instantly makes this football program a better one," Head Football Coach Luke Bakanowsky said. "I'm extremely confident he will put our defense in a spot to be successful and to win ball games. More importantly, Coach Young is a true family man who will care for our players in such a deep and genuine way. We're lucky to have him and excited to hit the ground running!"  Young coached defensive backs and served as Defensive Pass Game Coordinator at Nichols College during the 2023 season. Under his guidance, the secondary recorded eight interceptions and 15 pass breakups as Nichols finished second in the conference in interceptions and first in interception return yardage. From 2021-22, Young served as Recruiting Coordinator, Interim Defensive Coordinator, and Defensive Coordinator at Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School. His defenses helped produce the first 3-0 start in school history and a program-record season for wins in 2022. Over two seasons, he coached seven All-League selections and multiple Division 8 All-Stars while helping establish one of the conference's top defensive units. Young began his coaching career at his alma mater, Becker College, where he served as a volunteer quality control assistant in 2015 before becoming Defensive Line Coach in 2016. He helped develop several All-Conference players, including ECFC Defensive Player of the Year Alexander Stewart, while contributing to a program-record seven-win season. As a player, Young was a four-year contributor and team captain at Becker before continuing his professional career with the New England Bobcats and New England Calvary. He earned team MVP honors during a championship season with the Bobcats and was later named Co-Defensive MVP of the New England Arena League while helping the Calvary win a league championship. A native of Enfield, Young earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Becker College and a Master's Certificate in Human Resource Management from Fitchburg State University.  

Dan McKenna enters his first season as Special Teams Coordinator with Dean Football. He was hired in the spring of 2024.    Before joining the Bulldogs, McKenna served as the Safeties Coach and Kickers/Punters Coach at Assumption University in the 2022 season. During his time at Assumption, the program won a NE10 Championship and McKenna played a part in producing multiple all-conference players. Assumption's defense was also ranked top five nationally in DII football.   Before Assumption, McKenna served as the Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Backs Coach, and Academic Coordinator at Hiram College. He also served as the Special Teams Coordinator at Methodist University, while taking on the role of the Director of Football Operations.   Prior to his time at Methodist, he spent four years coaching at his alma mater, Anna Maria College. Under McKenna's guidance, Anna Maria's placekicker/punter Francis Cole was named to the Division III All-American second team as a punter in 2016. Cole was also named to the Worcester Area All-Star Team and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III North All-Star first team as well as the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) First Team.   Prior to coaching, McKenna played for Anna Maria and was honored with the creation of "The Dan McKenna Coaches Award" after his senior season. This award is given out annually to a football player who excels on and off the field.   McKenna holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College.