John Carroll University Men's Football

Brian Polian '97 was named the Head Football Coach at John Carroll on January 20, 2026. Polian serves as the JCU's Vice President for Athletics, as well.  Polian brings more than 25 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience to the role, including four seasons as head coach at the University of Nevada. He also served as special teams coordinator at the University of Notre Dame, Stanford University, and LSU, among other stops. Polian has been recognized as one of the top recruiters in the country across multiple seasons and by numerous media outlets, including ESPN and Rivals. Polian’s college football coaching resume is quite extensive. The Buffalo native’s last stop was at Louisiana State University, where he served as Special Teams Coordinator in 2022 before transitioning to Associate Athletics Director and General Manager. Previously, Polian served as the Special Teams Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame from 2017-21. He coached the all-time leading scorers in both Notre Dame (Justin Yoon) and LSU (Damien Ramos) history. From 2013-17, Polian guided Nevada as head football coach. Polian coached the Wolfpack to two bowl games and two victories over Power 5 opponents. He coached three future NFL players (including Browns guard Joel Bitonio and Panthers center Austin Corbett) and three future CFL players. As the head coach, he steered the Wolf Pack Football program to a perfect 1,000 APR score during the 2016-17 academic year, the only team in the Group of Five to accomplish the feat in that season. Polian worked his way up the coaching ranks after starting his career in 1997 at Michigan State under the legendary Nick Saban. Polian spent stints at the University of Buffalo 1998; 2001-03), Baylor University (1999-2000), University of Central Florida (2004), Stanford University (2010-11), and Texas A&M (2012). Before heading to Nevada, Polian worked as the Special Teams Coordinator at Notre Dame from 2005-09. A football legacy, Brian’s father, Bill, gained induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Brian’s brother, Chris ’93, works for the Cleveland Browns as Special Assistant to the General Manager. Polian graduated from JCU in 1997 with a B.A. in History following a four-year stint on the JCU Football Team. The linebacker earned All-OAC Second Team honors in 1996 playing alongside College Football Hall of Famer London Fletcher. Polian graduated from St. Francis High School in Buffalo. Polian and his wife, Laura, have two children.  

Felicia Teeter enters her first year as the Head Coach of Women's Flag Football and Running Backs Coach for JCU Football in 2026-27.

Become a Blue Streak Dean Paul enters his second season as Assistant Head Coach for the Blue Streaks in 2025. Prior to the 2025 campaign, Paul was named Defensive Coordinator. In his first year as Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach, Paul coached one All-OAC selection, as graduate student linebacker Tyler Thimons earned First Team All-OAC honors.  Paul most recently enjoyed a successful 20-year run as the head coach for Ohio Northern. From 2004-23, Paul built a very strong program in Ada. He compiled a 121-77 record, a winning percentage of .611. The Polar Bears finished with a .500 record or better in 16 of his 20 campaigns.  At ONU, Paul's teams made two NCAA Playoff appearances in 2010 and 2015. Ohio Northern frequently competed in the OAC, finishing third or higher in the standings 10 times. The Polar Bears also made frequent trips overseas under Paul, with six ventures to Europe during his tenure. Additionally, Paul directed the program's football camps and served as a lecturer for a study skills class.  Prior to his time in Ada, Paul enjoyed a successful run at Thomas More College. Paul worked as the head coach for the Saints for five seasons, compiling a 40-12 record. Paul guided his 2001 squad to a perfect 10-0 regular season record. Thomas More finished its season with an 11-1 record and a final ranking of No. 18 in the AFCA poll. Paul also spent assistant coaching stints at Mount Union, Allegheny, Tulane, the College of Wooster, and Fordham. He is a 1990 Mount Union graduate, earning All-OAC honors at running back in 1988 and 1990.  Paul is one of just two active NCAA Division III coaches to guide two different schools to playoff wins. He has coached a total of 33 All-Americans during his 24-year career. Paul's lifetime record of 161-89 places him in the top-10 winningest active coaches in NCAA D-III.

Mike Soeder enters his second season on the JCU Football coaching staff in 2024-25. He will serve as a defensive assistant this season.  In his first season, Soeder served as Linebackers Coach in 2023. Under his tutelage, Jahiem Peake earned First Team All-OAC and Honorable Mention All-Region recognition. Soeder played football for John Carroll, graduating in 1999. The Saint Ignatius grad won two state championships and a national championship under Chuck Kyle '73. A cornerback at JCU, Soeder blocked a kick in the 1996 game vs. Baldwin Wallace. Soeder is the son of JCU Athletic Hall of Famer Mike Soeder '77. His grandfather, Leo '50, is also enshrined in JCU's Hall of Fame. 

Dr. Ron Dolciato has over 30 years of coaching experience under several titles, including Head Coach for Saint Vincent College, Senior Offensive Assistant/Running Backs Coach for Case Western Reserve University, Senior Offensive Analyst/Running Back Coach for St. Thomas University and Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator for John Carroll University.  During his second season back at JCU in 2024, Dolciato helped improve Nick Semptimphelter's passing attack. In his first season as a Blue Streak, Semptimphelter set the career records for completion percentage (76.4%) and passing efficiency (194.0). Semptimphelter also finished 3rd in JCU history in passing yards per game with 242.7. His 38 passing TD's are second were second all time in a season as well.  Semptimphelter was recognized with a First Team All-OAC recognition.  During his five years as the head coach of Saint Vincent College he produced, a total of 50 players that have been awarded All-PAC honors. Saint Vincent claimed back-to-back Presidents' Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year honors, receiving the award in 2015 (Tyler Donahue) and 2016 (Derek Stewart) both quarterbacks. Dolciato also coached a pair of D3football.com All-Region selections, as Darius Brown earned Second Team accolades in 2014 and Ryan Crawford gained Third Team recognition in 2016. During the successful five-year run, the football program broke 45 team and individual records. Under Dolciato, the Bearcats saw a tremendous amount of success on offense. Four of the top offensive players in Bearcat Football history have starred under Dolciato. During the 2016 season, Dolciato guided the Bearcats to their first 4-0 start since the 1957 season. Prior to Saint Vincent, he served as the Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. In 2013, the Blue Streaks finished the regular season 9-1, appeared in the NCAA Division III playoffs and finished the season ranked 13th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and D3football.com Top 25 polls. As the offensive coordinator at John Carroll, Dolciato produced highly notable results, including an offensive unit that set 59-team and individual school records, two national offensive records, six conference Player of the Year recipients and an Eastern Regional Championship and NCAA Division III Semifinal appearance. His 2013 offense finished first in the Ohio Athletic Conference and 14th in the nation in passing offense (313.3 yards per game) and led the league and ranked 15th in the country in fourth-down conversions (64.3 percent).  The Blue Streaks were also second in the OAC in red zone offense, converting 51-of-59 (86.4 percent) trips inside the 20-yard line to points. As a unit, JCU ranked third in the Ohio Athletic Conference with 451.5 yards per game which was 30th in Division III and a new school record.  In 2010, his offense boasted the best red zone offense in the country in any division of NCAA football with 97 percent red zone efficiency. In 2002, he guided an offensive unit that produced program records in total offense (5,139 yards), scoring offense (476 points) and touchdowns (66). That same year the Blue Streaks advanced to their first final four appearance and finished the season with a record of 12-2 and were ranked 4th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and D3football.com Top 25 polls. Dolciato was named the 2011 OAC Assistant Coach of the Year after leading an offense that averaged 406.5 yards and more than 30 points per game. In 2002 The National Football Foundation tabbed him the Assistant Football Coach of the Year.  Prior to becoming the offensive coordinator, Dolciato served as the JCU running backs coach. During that time, he coached five first team All-OAC backs, three-straight OAC rushing title winners, the all-time leading rusher in program history and the only player to amass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in a career.  During Dolciato’s 24-year tenure at JCU, he was on the coaching staff that produced numerous front office NFL personnel, including: General Manager Tom Telesco, San Diego Chargers; General Manager Dave Ziegler Las Vegas Raiders; General Manager Nick Caserio, Houston Texans. Former General Manager David Caldwell, Jacksonville Jaguars; He was also was on the staff that produced NFL coaches Josh McDaniels Head coach Las Vegas Raiders; Greg Roman former assistant head coach/ offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens; Jerry Schuplinski, tight ends coach Las Vegas Raiders; and Frank Ross special coordinator of the Houston Texans. He also coached former pro bowl Linebacker London Fletcher and NFL quarterback Tom Arth.  In 2020 & 2021 seasons, he was the Senior Offensive Analyst/Running Backs Coach at St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. In 2021 the Bobcats finished the season with a 9-2 record in only the third year of football at the University.  Most recently, in 2019 & 2022, he was the Senior Offensive Assistant/Running Backs Coach at Case Western Reserve University where in 2019 he helped in guiding the Spartans to their second PAC Championship and a bid to the Division III NCAA playoffs.  An Ohio native, Dolciato graduated from John Carroll in 1990 after earning All-OAC honors as a defensive tackle his senior season. He also claimed GTA Academic All-American accolades the same year, in which the Blue Streaks claimed the OAC title and berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.  He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Administration and Leadership in Higher Education and a master’s degree in Exercise Science.  Dolciato and his wife, Elana, have three daughters, Sabrina, Francesca and Liliana. 

Jack Bush enters his first season as Wide Receivers Coach for the Blue Streaks in 2026.  Bush arrives in University Heights following a 2-season stint at Hillsdale College as the running backs coach. In his first season with the Chargers in 2024, Hillsdale led the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in rushing yardage per game thanks in part to Bush's development of the running back position throughout the season. Bush coached the G-MAC Freshman of the Year, who also earned first team all-conference honors.  Bush previously spent two seasons at the NCAA Division I level, first as a volunteer offensive quality control and assistant tight ends coach at Northwestern University in 2022, followed by a year as an offensive graduate assistant at Central Michigan University in 2023. His duties with the two programs included working with Visio to build virtual playbooks and scout cards, as well as data entry and player evaluation on XOS/Catapult video platforms and Pro Football Focus. In his first coaching gig, Bush spent a year as quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Chelsea High School in 2018, helping guide the Bulldogs to the MHSAA Division 4 state final and developing an All-State quarterback. Bush graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Albion College in December 2021. A four-year starting quarterback for the Britons, Bush guided the Albions to two MIAA championships and a 22-1 record as a starter while completing 64 percent (422 of 657) of his passes and throwing for 5,651 yards and 56 touchdowns in 27 career games played. He also rushed for two touchdowns. As a junior, Bush was named the 2021 MIAA Offensive Most Valuable Player after he led the Britons to a 9-2 overall record, 5-1 league record and threw for 27 touchdowns and 2,228 yards, completed 65 percent (164-253) of his passes and averaged 247.6 yards passing per game. He was a three-time All-MIAA quarterback, two-year team captain, and also served on Albion’s Leadership Council for four years.

Nate Dean enters his first season as Cornerbacks Coach for the Blue Streaks in 2025. Dean’s last stop was at Mount St. Joseph, where he coached the defensive backs last season. Dean and the Lions faced off with JCU in the First Round of the NCAA Playoffs. Dean coached an All-HCAC selection and the HCAC Newcomer of the Year. Previously, Dean was the cornerbacks coach at Hiram College in 2023.  The Euclid native also coached track at Villa Angela-Saint Joseph and interned at Speed & Strength Systems. The VASJ grad earned three football letters as a wideout at Ohio Northern, also competing in track & field. Dean earned All-American honors in 2020 in the indoor 200m, and 11 All-OAC honors. He earned his degree in Exercise Physiology from ONU.

JT Monahan enters his first season as Defensive Line Coach for the Blue Streaks in 2025. Monahan was an impact performer as a defensive lineman at the University of Rochester. He started 20 games during his career with the Yellowjackets, culminating in a Honorable Mention All-Liberty League selection in 2024. Monahan accumulated 137 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks over his four seasons. The Marblehead, Massachusetts native graduated from Rochester in spring 2025. 

Bryce Paul enters his first season on the John Carroll Football coaching staff in the 2024-25 academic year. Paul will serve as a graduate assistant, working on the defensive side of the ball. He starts his position at JCU after playing football for four seasons at Ohio Northern. At ONU, Paul was a three-time Academic All-OAC honoree. He earned his degree in Construction Management from ONU. Paul is now pursuing a degree in Sports Leadership at JCU.  

Scott Phillips enters his first season as Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach for the Blue Streaks in 2026. Phillips most recently served as the Executive Director of the American Bowl. Phillips helped to launch the inaugural American Bowl, a postseason college football all-star game, which included JCU wideout Tyren Montgomery. Phillips served as Offensive Coordinator for the “Warhawks” under Brian Billick during the game, which showcases future professional athletes to the NFL personnel departments.    Previously, Phillips served as the Director of Player Personnel & Recruiting at Kent State in 2024 welcoming the top ’25 committed class in the conference during the spring recruiting period.   During the 2023 season, Phillips worked as the co-offensive coordinator and Quarterback coach at Westminster College. The Titans notched a 6-4 overall record, as Phillips helped the Westminster starting quarterback to achieve all-conference recognition. For the 2022 season, Phillips worked as Assistant Quarterback Coach at the University of Toledo, where his quarterbacks led the Rockets to a conference championship and a victory in the Boca Raton Bowl vs. a previously ranked Liberty team.    His coaching career began in 2021 with a stint as the assistant director of scouting and quarterbacks coach for the Hula Bowl College All-Star Game. Phillips coached a number of future NFL starters during his tenure in Orlando including NFL draft pick and Rose Bowl MVP Sean Clifford, Jack Plummer, Carter Bradley, Anthony Brown, and Brady Cook.   Phillips spent much of his professional life in real estate, rising to CEO & Operating Principal of Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan while owning Guarino’s Restaurant in Cleveland’s Little Italy. He is a 2005 graduate of The Ohio State University.

Kenzel Kelly enters his first season as Outside Linebackers Coach for the Blue Streaks in 2026.  Kelly begins his first coaching gig following the conclusion of his collegiate career. Kelly played for four seasons at Grand Valley State before transferring to Louisiana State University in 2024 to play for his father, Brian Kelly. A linebacker, Kenzel played in 7 games for the Lakers, winning two GLEAC conference titles. For the Tigers, Kelly appeared in 2 games in 2024 and 3 games in 2025. Kelly graduated from GVSU in 2024 before earning his Master’s in Sport Management from LSU in 2025. Kelly notched SEC Academic Honor Roll status in 2025. Kelly prepped at St. Joseph’s High School in South Bend, notching all-state and first team All-Northern Indiana Conference honors as a senior. 

Bryan Beigie '04 enters his seventh season on the JCU Football staff in the 2024-25 academic year.  On campus at JCU, Beigie has served as the Practicum and Internship Coordinator for the Exercise Science and Sport Studies Department since 2014. Before that, he was a part-time instructor for the department.  The 2004 John Carroll University graduate returned to the staff in 2021 after a few years away. From 2014-17, Beigie coached the Blue Streaks' wide receivers group. Since his return, he has had a more overarching role. Highlights from his previous stint include coaching WR Brian Kornowski to Honorable Mention All-OAC in 2017 and Willie Woods' historic TD catch to help JCU best Mount Union in 2016.  Since returning, Beigie has mentored stars such as Brennan Fugh, who earned All-OAC honors three times and climbed the career record boards for catches and receiving yards.  As a player, Beigie was a two-year letter winner, two-year starter and team captain for the Blue Streaks, and was named All-Ohio Athletic Conference as a senior. Previously, Beigie worked at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio as well as Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Serving in a number of different capacities, Beigie worked as a varsity football and basketball coach for eight years prior to returning to his alma mater. During that time period he has tutored the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs of each school. He was on staff for four regional finals, and two Ohio state semifinal appearances at the respective schools. Beigie earned his Masters of Education degree from Cleveland State University in Exercise Physiology. He served as a graduate assistant in the exercise science department teaching undergraduate courses. He is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association as well as American College of Sports Medicine.

Pat Denecke enters his first season as Offensive Line Coach for the Blue Streaks in 2026.  Denecke brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience and a strong background in developing offensive linemen and coordinating run-game offenses. Before joining the JCU staff, Denecke coached at multiple Division I and Division I FCS programs. Most recently, he served as the offensive line coach at College of the Holy Cross, helping the Crusaders capture a share of the Patriot League championship during his first season on staff. Prior to Holy Cross, Denecke was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Western Illinois University in 2023. He coached the offensive line at Valparaiso University in 2022, where his unit helped power a productive offense and contributed to the program’s strongest road performance in league play in decades. Earlier in his career, Denecke spent several seasons at University of Maine, where he worked as assistant head coach, run game coordinator, and offensive line coach after initially coaching tight ends. Maine notched two FBS wins and made an FCS Semifinal appearance in 2018. He also served as a graduate assistant at University of Nevada, Reno and began his coaching career as the offensive line coach at Bethany College. Denecke played collegiately on the offensive line at Washington & Jefferson College, where he was a three-year letterman and two-year starter. During his career, the Presidents compiled a 40-7 record, won two conference championships, and made four NCAA playoff appearances. Denecke has coached four players signed NFL contracts / invited to NFL camp (Jeremy Salmon - TE/Maine, Liam Dobson OL/Maine, PJ Barr OL/Maine, Mike Gerace, OL/Maine). Seven players he recruited were drafted into the CFL.