Maine Maritime Academy Men's Football

Nick Sheehan has served as the head coach of the Maine Maritime Academy Football program since December 2025. He is the 13th head coach in the Mariners’ nine-decade history, which began with the program’s first season in 1946. Sheehan has spent the past two years on the sidelines helping to restart the program following a four-year hiatus that began in 2020. During his time at MMA, Sheehan has worn multiple hats, serving as offensive coordinator, equipment coordinator, strength and conditioning coach and co-special teams coordinator. Prior to joining Maine Maritime, Sheehan coached at Arkansas Tech University from 2020–23 as tight ends coach, equipment coordinator and recruiting coordinator. While there, he mentored three all-conference selections in two seasons and helped the Wonder Boys finish in the NCAA Division II top 25 in rushing offense per game, rushing yards gained, yards per carry, rushing touchdowns, and fourth-down conversion percentage. From 2018–20, Sheehan worked at Lyon College as offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator, associate head coach and position coach. He guided the program to its best record in school history, broke single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns and coached multiple all-conference selections, including two conference special teams players of the year. Sheehan’s earlier coaching stops include the University of Arkansas–Monticello (2016–18) as wide receivers coach, and Washington University in St. Louis (2013–16) as wide receivers and tight ends coach. A native of Jacksonville, Ill., Sheehan earned a Bachelor’s of Science in genetics and cellular biology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2012 and a Master’s in Physical Education and Coaching from the University of Arkansas–Monticello in 2017. He currently resides in Hampden, Maine, with his wife, Allison, and daughter, Avery. NICK SHEEHANS'S YEAR-BY-YEAR COACHING RESULTS       OVERALL CONFERENCE Year W  L   W% W L W%  ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2025 0 10 .000 0 7 .000 Totals 0 10 .000 0 7 .000 COACHING HIGHLIGHTS Two Conference of New England All-Conference Selections

Joseph O'Rourke has served as the offensive coordinator, offensive line and strength & conditioning coach of Maine Maritime Academy Football program since Feb. 2025. CAREER AT A GLANCE:  Since joining the Mariners coaching staff, Coach O'Rourke has helped lead and direct he team through strength training and spring ball practices. While at Hiram, O'Rourke coached the offensive line.  In his first season with the Terriers his line had a 45% reduction in sacks. He also coached a disciplined line that had only four penalties all year. Coach O'Rourke worked as the recruiting coordinator organizing game day visits, tours, itineraries, offers and all other aspects of recruiting while at Hiram. He had a quick stint at Illinois Wesleyan University where he was the running back graduate assistant. Coach O'Rourke first introduction to the coaching world was at Army, West Point where he was the offensive quality control and analyst. During his time at Army he was tasked with leading and facilitating weekly strategy meetings based on statistical data.  He helped manage game-time decisions including, timeouts, 4th downs, penalties, on-sides and all unique situations. Additionally, he helped with on campus recruiting, creating scouting reports, and worked predominantly with the running back and offensive line. He also helped the team BEAT navy, and air force to win the Commanders in Chief (C.I.C.) Trophy 2023. COACHING TIMELINE:  2023: Army, (Quality Control & Analyst) 2024: Illinois Wesleyan (Running Back G.A.) 2024-25: Hiram College (Offensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator) 2025- Present: Maine Maritime Academy (Offensive Coordinator, OL Coach, S&C) ATHLETIC CAREER:  As a player, O'Rourke Started all 40 games, was a four-year letter winner as a member, at St. Lawrence University.  He competed as a Center and Long Snapper from 2018-2022.  He was an All-League Honorable Mention in 2022 and awarded membership into the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. He also competed in indoor and outdoor track and field as a competitive, shot, disc, weight, and hammer thrower at St. Lawrence University. PERSONAL:  A native of Cross River, NY. O'Rourke earned a two Bachelor of Science degrees in business and history at St. Lawrence University in 2023.

Kelly Cline has served as the defensive backs coach for the Maine Maritime Academy Football program since July of 2025 CAREER AT A GLANCE:  At Wisconsin-La Crosse, Cline mentored three WIAC all-conference defensive selections, Tate Pitcher, Aaron Schmitz and Trent Mullen and finished fourth in the final d3Football.com poll in 2023. Also at UW-La Crosse, Cline coached two WIAC all-conference linebackers in 2022, AJ Spychala and Ryan Daines and finished 12th in the final d3Football.com poll Additionally, UW-La Crosse qualified for the NCAA Playoffs in three-straight seasons, winning two WIAC conference titles and reaching the quarterfinals in 2023.  COACHING TIMELINE:  2022-23: University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (Assistant Linebacker Coach) 2023-25: University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (Assisant Defensive Backs Coach, Film Coordinator) 2025-Present: Maine Maritime Academy (Defensive Backs Coach) PROFESSIONAL CAREER:  Was named the 2024 Scott Pioli and Family Fund Grant Recipient Attended the NFL Women's Form (2023 & 24). Presented at the Brown University Female Football Forum (2023 & 24). Attended the WFCA Annual Clinic (2023 & 24) PERSONAL:  A native of La Crosse, Wisc. Cline earned a Bachelor of Science in exercise and sport science and sports management with minors in business administration and digital media studies and design from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 2023. 

Aaron Kelton has served as the defensive coordinator of the Maine Maritime Academy Football program since April of 2026. CAREER AT A GLANCE:  Named the 2010 New England Small College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Won the 2010 New England Small College Athletic Conference Championship — Became the first Williams College coach to go undefeated in his debut season. Kelton worked as a minority intern with the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. Was the only college football coach to attend the NFL Coaches Symposium in 2015. One of 15 minority coaches selected by the NCAA to participate in the three-day NCAA Champions Form. One of 25 minority coaches selected by the NCAA to participate in the three-day NCAA Expert Coaches Academy. One of 20 minority coaches selected by the NCAA to participate in the three-day NCAA Advance Coaching Academy. COACHING TIMELINE:  1995: Boston College (Volunteer Assistant Coach) 1997: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Assistant Coach) 1998-99: Clarion University (Assistant Coach) 1999-01: Concord College (Defensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator) 2001-05: Virginia State University (Assistant Head Coach-Defensive/Recruiting Coordinator 2005-10: Columbia University (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach) 2010-16: Williams College (Head Coach) 2016-17: Shorter University (Head Coach/Athletic Director) 2018: Morgan State University (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach) 2019: Howard University (Interim Head Coach/Director of Football Operations) 2020-22: Howard University (Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator) 2022-25: Savannah State University (Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator) 2026-Present: Maine Maritime Academy (Defensive Coordinator) ATHLETIC CAREER:  As a player, Kelton was a four-year member of the Springfield College football program as a quarterback from 1988-91. PERSONAL:  A native of Boston, Massachusetts Kelton earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Springfield College in 1991 and was a Masters of Education Candidate at Virigina State University.