Wesleyan University Men's Football

Dan DiCenzo is in his 17th season and 12th as head coach in 2026, having led the Cardinals to back-to-back NESCAC Championships in 2024 and 2025 as well as the team's first-ever outright NESCAC title in 2024. The Cardinals are 63-25 (.716 win percentage), have won four consecutive and six outright Little 3 titles, and have sported a winning record in all 11 seasons under DiCenzo's tenure as head coach. His 2025 squad made history, defeating Trinity 31-28 at home in the season finale to secure a second straight NESCAC Championship, marking the first time in team history the Cardinals won back-to-back NESCAC titles. This group also defeated Amherst 31-21 and Williams 34-28 in overtime to land an unprecedented fourth straight Little Three Championship, something that hasn't happened in the 140+ years of Wesleyan football. Having won 27 games in four years, the senior class of 2025 graduated as the winningest four-year class of Cardinals in team history. Thirteen Cardinals earned All-NESCAC honors, tied for the second-highest single-season total in team history, while Wesleyan swept the major individual awards with QB Matt Fitzsimons '27 earning NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year, DB Dylan Connors '26 was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and WR Donte Kelly '29 earned Rookie of the Year. That was just the second time in NESCAC history that one team had swept all three major individual awards.  DiCenzo and his staff became the first in team history to earn NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors after completing the best modern season in the history of Wesleyan football in 2024, culminating in the team's first-ever outright NESCAC Championship. DiCenzo also earned New England Division II/III Coach of the Year honors as recognized by the New England Football Writers Association, becoming the first Wesleyan coach to receive the honor. The Cardinals navigated the always-challenging NESCAC slate, with a vast majority of the wins coming down to the fourth quarter. Opening the year with a 43-7 drubbing of Middlebury on the road, that win marked the Panthers' biggest home loss in over 40 years. Wesleyan then held Tufts without a touchdown in a 20-9 triumph under the lights at home. After suffering their first defeat of the season to Bates in Week 3, the Cardinals rebounded with six straight wins to end the year. That six-game win streak started with 19 unanswered fourth quarter points to defeat Hamilton on the road 19-7. Edwards returned a fumble 88 yards for a game-winning, walk-off overtime touchdown in a 23-17 win over Colby in Week 5. The Cardinals held off Bowdoin for a 17-14 road win before scoring 31 unanswered to defeat Amherst 31-14 in a game that Wesleyan trailed 14-0 in the first quarter. With a third straight Little 3 title on the line, the Cardinals drove over 90 yards down the field with less than two minutes to play in regulation, as Luke LaSaracina '25 hauled in a game-deciding touchdown with six seconds left as Wesleyan defeated Williams 25-24 in an epic clash to claim three straight Little Three Championships for the first time since 1946-48. Then in the season finale, Wesleyan's defense held Trinity scoreless in the second half, while the offense converted two lengthy fourth downs in pivotal moments in the fourth quarter, to defeat Trinity 27-17 in what was the de-facto NESCAC Championship game in Hartford. The Cardinals continued to rattle off winning seasons in 2022 and 2023, finishing 6-3 in each campaign to give Wesleyan a winning record in 11 straight campaigns dating back to 2012. Wesleyan triumphed over rivals Amherst (34-7 at home) and Williams (30-22 on the road) in 2023, securing back-to-back Little Three titles for the first time since 1969-70. Wesley Abraham ’25 became the first defensive back in team history, and first defensive player since 1994, to earn All-American honors. In the 2022 campaign, eight Cardinals earned All-NESCAC honors including Nick Helbig '23, who was named NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. After a canceled season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DiCenzo's squad returned to action in 2021 and put together another winning season, finishing with a 6-3 record. Wesleyan started the year with a perfect 6-0 record for the first time since 2013, the sixth victory in that win streak being a significant 24-0 win over Middlebury, marking the first time the Cardinals have held the Panthers scoreless in a game since 1975. Wesleyan saw eight players named All-NESCAC including the 2021 NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year Nick Helbig. The Cardinals' eight All-NESCAC selections were third-most in the league while Helbig became just the second Cardinal in team history to earn NESCAC DPOY honors.    The Cardinals went 8-1 in 2019. They won the Little Three Championship for the second time in four years and the third time in the last seven seasons. Wesleyan beat Amherst on the road in double overtime then beat Williams in another overtime thriller at home to clinch the Little Three Championship. The Cardinals finished off their season with a 28-20 win on the road in Hartford over Trinity. The senior class finished with a record of 25-10. Wesleyan put 13 players on the All-NESCAC Team and freshman Nick Helbig was named the NESCAC Defensive Rookie of the Year in the Conference. Senior Ben Thaw and junior Bryce Jenkins earned D3 Football All-East Team and Thaw made the Division II/III All-New England Writers Team. In 2018, the Cardinals finished 5-4, including a 21-14 win over the Ephs. Wesleyan was a force up front defensively, leading the NESCAC in sacks with 29, while also posting a conference-best three defensive touchdowns. Six players earned All-NESCAC honors, including defensive lineman Taj Gooden who entered the 2019 campaign as a D3football.com Preseason All-American. The Cardinals boasted one of the league’s top defenses a year ago as they ranked fourth in both scoring (17.7 points/game) and total defense (267.4 yards/game). Offensively, Wesleyan averaged 23.8 points per game and 312.3 yards per contest. In 2017, the Cardinals broke 18 program records as they finished the campaign with a 6-3 mark. Offensively, Wesleyan ranked second in the conference in total yards per game (417.8) and passing yards per game (303.0), while averaging 26.7 points to rank fourth-best. On the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals ranked second in scoring, allowing just 16.1 points per game, and finished third in total yards (305.1) and passing yards (186.1) per game. Wesleyan concluded the season with nine All-Conference honorees, which was highlighted by wide receiver Mike Breuler ’18 being named the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year. Breuler also earned the Joe Zabilski Award as New England’s top offensive player in Division II/III by The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston and was named a D3football.com All-America Honorable Mention. In 2016, DiCenzo guided Wesleyan to its 14th Little Three title with a 20-0 shutout win over Amherst and a decisive 59-14 victory against Williams. The Cardinals boasted a well-balanced attack en route to a 6-2 record. Garnering 13 All-NESCAC selections, Wesleyan was primarily led by its stingy defense. The unit finished first in the league in four major defensive categories while ranking fourth in the country in total defense (220.6 yds/game), seventh in scoring (13.1 pts/game), and 12th in both rushing (77.6) and passing (143.0) yards allowed. Additionally, Wesleyan finished second in all of Division III in first downs allowed (94), third in third-down conversion (23.9%), and fourth in red zone defense (47.6%). On the offensive side of the ball, the 2016 Cardinals finished fourth in the country in kickoff returns (25.3 yds/game) and eighth in time of possession (34:23), while placing in the top three in the NESCAC in several categories; second in passing (237.8 yds/game), first downs (20.0/game) and third-down conversion (39%), and third in total offense (416 yds/game), scoring (31.5 pts/game), rushing (178.3 yds/game) and punt returns (10.7 yds/game). In 2015, DiCenzo’s first season as head coach, the Cardinals posted a 5-3 record behind a well-balanced attack that finished third in the NESCAC in both total offense (384.0 yds/game) and total defense (302.9 yds/game).   Prior to the 2015 campaign, DiCenzo served five seasons as associate head coach and defensive coordinator. In 2014, his defensive squad led NCAA Division III in fewest yards allowed (220.8 yds/ game) en route to a 7-1 season. The 124 yards per game the Cardinals permitted through the air were tops in the NESCAC, while the 96.8 rushing yards yielded per outing was second in the conference. On the other side of the ball, Wesleyan led the NESCAC with 224 points scored, an average of 28.0 per game. In 2013 and 2014, Wesleyan totaled 32 All-Conference players and two players of the year.   DiCenzo is a 2001 graduate of Williams College where he excelled in football and wrestling. He coached at Williams for six seasons, including three as the head wrestling coach. Earning All-NESCAC football honors as well as All-New England honors on the mats as an undergraduate, DiCenzo served as a team captain of both sports and received the Purple Key Award in 2000-01 as the top male athlete at the college. Before returning to Williams for the 2004 football campaign, DiCenzo had coaching stints at both Trinity College and Brown University. Dan resides in Madison, Conn. with his wife, Rachel, and their three sons, Doug, Devon and Dylan.

Jake Edwards '24, G'25 is a former captain and All-NESCAC linebacker for the Cardinals, and he is spending the 2025 seaosn as an assistant linebackers coach. Prior to Wesleyan, Edwards was a football player and wrestler from Rockwall, Texas, where he attended Rockwall High School. In his senior football season at Rockwall, his team finished in the Top 4 in 6A Division I. In regard to personal achievements, he earned All-District honors for his performance on the field and All-State honors for his performance in the classroom. During his time at Wesleyan, he was a dual-sport athlete, competing in football and wrestling. As a wrestler, he was a four-year varsity team member, helping his team record one of the best dual records in the 2024–2025 season. As a football player, he was a two-year captain, and he helped lead the Cardinals to the team's best season in the modern era in 2024, as Wesleyan went 8–1, captured a third straight Little Three title, and culminated in the team's first-ever outright NESCAC Championship. He earned First Team All-NESCAC honors that season, and he returned a fumble 88 yards for a game-winning, walk-off overtime touchdown in a 23–17 win over Colby in Week 5. Prior to that, he earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2022 and was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy in 2023. This Campbell Trophy honors the American college football player who best combines academic excellence, leadership, and on-field performance, and finishing as a semifinalist was a huge achievement for Jake. On top of that, he earned Wesleyan’s Thomas W. Eck Jr. Award for showing extra devotion and loyalty to his football team, coaches, and the game of football. During his undergraduate career, he majored in Psychology, minored in Chemistry, and completed his pre-medical coursework. After he graduated, he returned to Wesleyan to pursue his Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, and he plans to finish this degree this year. He is currently applying to medical schools and plans to return home to Texas to continue his medical studies.

Kelly Ellis joins the Wesleyan coaching staff in 2025 as the Tight Ends Coach. Although this marks his first experience at the collegiate level, he brings with him 18 years of high school football coaching experience. For the past 18 years, he has coached at Middletown High School, where he most recently served as the Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach. In 2019, while coaching Quarterbacks, he helped break the school record for passing yards and touchdowns thrown in a season. During his tenure, he helped develop 48 All-State players including former Wesleyan graduate Dario Highsmith ‘20 and Tyshaun James, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in May 2022.  He also helped place over 40 football players into Division I, II and III schools, including Ivy and NESCAC schools. Over nearly two decades on the sidelines, he has developed a reputation for his knowledge of the game, ability to mentor young athletes, and passion for helping players grow both on and off the field.  In addition to coaching, Kelly is in his 17th year as an educator at Beman Middle School in Middletown CT. He currently serves as the 8th Grade STEM teacher and has also taught 7th and 8th Grade Mathematics. His dual background in teaching and coaching reflects his commitment to building character, discipline, and teamwork in student-athletes. Kelly graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. In 2009, he earned a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of New Haven. He is a native of Greenville NC. Kelly currently resides in East Hampton CT with his wife of 13 years, Elisabeth and their three children, Hunter, Riley and Cody.

Josh Rosek enters his first season as an assistant coach for the Wesleyan football team in the 2025 season. Rosek is a dedicated football coach and educator with over 28 years of experience building successful programs and shaping student-athletes on and off the field. Rosek is a graduate of Bridgewater State College with a B.S. in Exercise Science and a former college varsity football player himself. 1995, Rosek was named to the New England Football Conference All Conference Team. His career has been defined by a commitment to excellence in athletics, academics, and character development. Most recently, Rosek served as Head Coach of Middletown High School’s varsity football program from 2021–2024. Under his leadership, the Blue Dragons thrived through a culture centered on player improvement, academic accountability, and community involvement. Prior to becoming head coach, Rosek served as Middletown’s Defensive Coordinator from 2013–2021, helping guide the team to seven playoff appearances and three Class L semifinal runs. Earlier in his career, he coached at Berlin High School as Defensive Coordinator, where he contributed to two Class M state championship appearances, including one state title victory. Beginning as an Offensive Coordinator in 1997  at Middletown High School and then Interim Head Coach at Middletown High School in 1999, Rosek career reflects a lifelong commitment to cultivating success on the field, in the classroom, and within the community.

Eric enters his 14th season in 2025 as the Offensive Coordinator & Offensive Line Coach at Wesleyan. In 2024, Wesleyan won the first outright NESCAC championship in school history. With wins over Amherst 31-14 & Williams 25-24, Wesleyan won the Little Three Championship in back-to-back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1946-1948. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, the coaches were named the NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year and WR Chase Wilson was named NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year. In 2024 on the offensive line, Senior Gavin Tatum was named 2nd Team All-NESCAC. In his 13 seasons at Wesleyan, Coach Ludwig has had at least 1 Offensive Lineman named to the All-NESCAC team every year and 17 Offensive Lineman total earning All-NESCAC honors. In 2023, Wesleyan won the Little Three Championship in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1969-1970. 3 times during the season, an offensive player was named the NEFW Gold Helmet award winner, given to the top division II/III player in New England. The 2022 season saw a Little Three Championship as well as 4 offensive school records set. Total yards in a season (3,919), yards per game (435.3), passing yards in a season (2,794), and passing TDs in a season (22). In 2021, the Wesleyan offense broke multiple school records. The first record set was total offense in a game with 618 yards vs. Tufts. The second record broken was the single player total yards in a game (David Estevez, 474 yards). The offense finished in the top 3 in multiple categories, including rushing offense, offensive efficiency, red zone percentage, time of procession, and interceptions thrown. In 2019, Wesleyan finished the season with an 8-1 record and won the Little Three Championship vs. Amherst & Williams. In 2017, the Wesleyan offense set 22 team and individual records. The offense averaged 417.8 yards per game, including a Wesleyan record of 303.0 yards of passing offense per game. The Cardinals also set school records in passing completions in a game with 39 (vs. Middlebury), passing completions in a season with 237, and touchdown passes in a season with 22. The combo of QB Mark Piccirillo ’19 and WR Mike Breuler ’18 were responsible for setting 18 individual Wesleyan records during their time. WR Mike Breuler was also named NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2017. Eric joined the Cardinal coaching staff in the fall of 2012 after serving as the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line coach at NY Maritime College. In his two seasons as Offensive Coordinator, NY Maritime went 18-3 and made an appearance in the Division III National Playoffs. For 3 seasons as the Offensive Line coach, Ludwig coached 9 All-Conference Lineman. NY Maritime led all of Division III in both 2009 and 2010 in sacks allowed and finished the 2009 season 4th in the nation in rushing offense.  Eric also spent time as the Recruiting Coordinator and the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Maritime. Prior to his stint at Maritime, Eric was the Offensive Line Graduate Assistant Coach at Springfield College for two seasons. In 2007 Springfield was 2nd in the nation in sacks allowed and 3rd in rushing offense.  Before arriving at Springfield, Ludwig coached the Tight Ends for Williams College under current Wesleyan Director of Athletics Mike Whalen. The 2006 team finished 8-0 in the NESCAC. A 2006 graduate of Williams College, Ludwig was a captain of the 2005 squad and earned All-NESCAC, All-ECAC, and All-American honors as an Offensive Lineman. He also played in the Aztec Bowl, a Division III All-Star game played between the United States and Mexico. Eric and his wife Rachel, the Deputy Director of Athletics at Wesleyan, currently reside in East Hampton, Conn with their three children Will, Jack, and Emma.

Adam Chicoine is in his fourth season as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on the Wesleyan football coaching staff in the 2025 season. No stranger to the NESCAC, Chicoine first came to Wesleyan are having served as an assistant coach at Colby since the 2018 season while he served as the Mules’ defensive coordinator since 2019. A member of the 2024 NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year, which marked the team's first-ever NESCAC Coaching Staff recognition, Chicoine helped lift the Cardinals to the team's best season in the modern era in 2024, as Wesleyan went 8-1, captured a third straight Little Three title, and culminated in the team's first-ever outright NESCAC Championship.  Opening the year with a 43-7 drubbing of Middlebury on the road, that win marked the Panthers' biggest home loss in over 40 years. Wesleyan then held Tufts without a touchdown in a 20-9 triumph under the lights at home. After suffering their first defeat of the season to Bates in Week 3, the Cardinals rebounded with six straight wins to end the year. That six-game win streak started with 19 unanswered fourth quarter points to defeat Hamilton on the road 19-7. Jake Edwards returned a fumble 88 yards for a game-winning, walk-off overtime touchdown in a 23-17 win over Colby in Week 5. The Cardinals held off Bowdoin for a 17-14 road win before scoring 31 unanswered to defeat Amherst 31-14 in a game that Wesleyan trailed 14-0 in the first quarter. With a third straight Little 3 title on the line, the Cardinals drove over 90 yards down the field with less than two minutes to play in regulation, as WR Luke LaSaracina '25 hauled in a game-deciding touchdown with six seconds left as Wesleyan defeated Williams 25-24 in an epic clash to claim three straight Little Three Championships for the first time since 1946-48. Then in the season finale, Wesleyan's defense held Trinity scoreless in the second half, converting two lengthy fourth downs in pivotal moments in the fourth quarter, to defeat Trinity 27-17 in what was the de-facto NESCAC Championship game in Hartford. Chicoine was the architect behind a 2024 Wesleyan defense that ranked first in the NESCAC in scoring defense, passing defense, fumbles recovered, opponent first downs, opponent third down success rate, and red zone defense. Across the country, Wesleyan's defense ranked 19th in total defense (253.9), 24th in scoring defense (14.8), 19th in passing yards allowed (156.8), 1st in fewest first downs allowed (121), and 7th in third down defense (26.7). The Cardinal defense featured a record-breaking seven All-NESCAC First Team selections, as the previous NESCAC record for most First Team honorees on one team was Amherst with six back in 2001. LB Ben Carbeau '25 earned NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well as the Joe Zabilski Award given to the top defensive player in New England across Divisions II and III.   At Colby, Chicoine was hired in July 2018 and started as a defensive backs coach for the 2018 campaign. He then moved to defensive line in 2019 while earning a promotion to defensive coordinator. Chicoine has since served as linebackers coach for the last two seasons (2020-21) while continuing his role as Colby’s defensive coordinator.    In his role as defensive coordinator, Chicoine coordinated all phases of the defense including play calling duties. Colby’s defense ranked second in the nation in red zone efficiency in 2021 while the Mules gave up just 20.4 points per game (5th in the NESCAC).   Prior to Colby, Chicoine was an assistant coach – working with both the defensive line and defensive back units – in three seasons at Norwich University in Vermont. He worked with the defensive line for two seasons (2015-16) before moving to defensive backs in 2017. He also worked with kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return special teams units throughout his tenure at Norwich. In his final season, his first working with the defensive backs, Norwich ranked fourth in the nation in pass defense.    His first coaching experience came at his alma mater as Chicoine was an assistant coach for Castleton University from 2011 through 2015. He worked with the outside linebackers for two seasons (2011-12) before shifting to defensive line in 2013 and finally inside linebackers in 2014. Special teams were an emphasis as he worked with kickoff and punt units while he assisted in formulating game plans each week, specializing in opponent run game and protections.    Chicoine earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (coaching minor) in December 2012 and a master’s degree in education from Castleton in May 2015. He is a native of Burlington, Vermont.

Dave Benoit was hired to the Wesleyan coaching staff as the Cardinals' passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in May 2022. No stranger to the region, Benoit spent 2019-21 seasons as the offensive coordinator at Western New England. A member of the 2024 NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year, which marked the team's first-ever NESCAC Coaching Staff recognition, Benoit helped lift the Cardinals to the team's best season in the modern era in 2024, as Wesleyan went 8-1, captured a third straight Little Three title, and culminated in the team's first-ever outright NESCAC Championship.  Opening the year with a 43-7 drubbing of Middlebury on the road, that win marked the Panthers' biggest home loss in over 40 years. Wesleyan then held Tufts without a touchdown in a 20-9 triumph under the lights at home. After suffering their first defeat of the season to Bates in Week 3, the Cardinals rebounded with six straight wins to end the year. That six-game win streak started with 19 unanswered fourth quarter points to defeat Hamilton on the road 19-7. Jake Edwards returned a fumble 88 yards for a game-winning, walk-off overtime touchdown in a 23-17 win over Colby in Week 5. The Cardinals held off Bowdoin for a 17-14 road win before scoring 31 unanswered to defeat Amherst 31-14 in a game that Wesleyan trailed 14-0 in the first quarter. With a third straight Little 3 title on the line, the Cardinals drove over 90 yards down the field with less than two minutes to play in regulation, as WR Luke LaSaracina '25 hauled in a game-deciding touchdown with six seconds left as Wesleyan defeated Williams 25-24 in an epic clash to claim three straight Little Three Championships for the first time since 1946-48. Then in the season finale, Wesleyan's defense held Trinity scoreless in the second half, converting two lengthy fourth downs in pivotal moments in the fourth quarter, to defeat Trinity 27-17 in what was the de-facto NESCAC Championship game in Hartford. Under his guidance, QB Niko Candido '25 earned All-NESCAC Second Team honors in the 2024 season while his main target WR Chase Wilson '25 was named 2024 NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year. At Western New England, Benoit engineered an offensive scheme that was one of the top units at the NCAA Division III ranks. WNE averaged 31.1 points per game to lead the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) while putting up 354.2 yards of total offense per game in 2021. During the 2019 season, WNE was a juggernaut on offense, ranking 15th in the nation in yards per game (465.5) and 22nd in scoring offense (39.5), helping lead the Golden Bears to an undefeated 7-0 conference campaign, CCC Championship and berth into the NCAA Tournament.   With the Golden Bears, Benoit was tasked with weekly practice and game plan development for the offense. He also directly supervised and mentored offensive coaching staff, consisting of four assistants. Before his tenure at WNE, Benoit served as the Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at SUNY Maritime in New York. He spent the 2018 season with the Privateers and made an immediate impact, being recognized as the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Assistant Coach of the Year. SUNY Maritime led the ECFC in passing offense (246.2) and red zone offense (.830) that season.   Other stops include the Pass Game Coordinator at the College of Wooster (OH) for two seasons (2016-17) and Offensive Coordinator at Rockford University in Illinois. Benoit also spent the 2012-14 seasons at WNE, first as the Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator, Director of Football Operations and Adjunct Professor in Physical Education.   Benoit played wide receiver for four seasons at his alma mater, Westfield State in Massachusetts. In 33 career games, Benoit totaled 159 receptions for 2,514 yard and 28 touchdowns. He was a two-time All-MASCAC First Team selection, garnering d3football.com All-East Region Second Team honors as a junior. During that 2008 junior season, Benoit set a program record with 16 TD catches, while compiling 65 catches for 1,046 yards. He also holds the school record for single-game TD catches, having caught three in a game twice in his career.   Benoit, who earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Westfield State in 2010, went on to receive his Master's Degree in Sport Administration from the University of Louisville in 2012.