Holy Cross to promote Dean Kennedy to OC following Chris Smith's departure to Giants

Former Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs staffer Dean Kennedy is getting his first chance to call an offense at the collegiate level. According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, Kennedy, who is currently the quarterback coach at Holy Cross, will become the program’s next offensive coordinator.

“Holy Cross is expected to promote QB coach Dean Kennedy to offensive coordinator, sources tell On3sports. Before Holy Cross, Kennedy worked at Mississippi St. and Florida, where he assisted in the coaching of QBs such as 2020 Heisman finalist Kyle Trask,” said Zenitz via Twitter.

Kennedy first started his coaching career with Mississippi State in 2017, where he started off as an offensive graduate assistant. From there, he would join Florida’s coaching staff the following season, in 2018. First, as a quality control assistant before being promoted to the Gators assistant quarterback coach. Also, at Florida, he assisted with recruiting in the Atlanta and southeastern Georgia regions.

Florida hires Allen Brown as quality control staffer

Former Eastern Washington defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Allen Brown has been brought on to the Florida staff in a defensive analyst role, according to FootballScoop.com

Brown spent six years as a cornerback at Eastern Washington (2009-14). He redshirted during the 2009 season before contributing to EWU’s national championship team in 2010 as a redshirt freshman. He also helped lead EWU to NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoff semifinal appearances in 2012 and 2013. EWU compiled a 42-13 record overall and a 27-5 mark in the Big Sky Conference during Brown’s time with the program. In three of the four seasons he lettered at EWU from 2010-13, the Eagles won three league titles and advanced to the FCS Playoffs.

After his playing career was done, Brown stepped onto the Eagles coaching staff as a strength and conditioning intern in 2015. He then transitioned to Cal Poly, working as the Mustangs’ cornerbacks coach for four seasons. He would return to his alma mater in 2019 to assume the defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach role.

Brown spent three years there before breaking into the Power 5 as a defensive quality control coach with the Cal Bears. He would spend just one season with Cal before Napier called and hired Brown in the same role.