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It took Dave Dunn just three years to return Catholic University to its winning ways. Taking over a program that had won just two games the previous two seasons, Dunn last year led CUA to a 9-2 record and its first postseason victory in 73 years.
"Dave's success is not surprising," said Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks Coach Ken Zampese, with whom Dunn played at the University of San Diego (USD). "He is an excellent talent evaluator who knows how to get his players to perform at the top of their ability. I foresee continued success for the Cardinals."
Dunn, entering his fourth season at CUA and 20th overall, showed promise of his coaching ability early by winning his first two games with the Cardinals. His 2006 club won three times before going 5-5 in 2007. Everything came together for CUA last season.
The Cardinals were aiming for their first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) championship in nine years before losing their final regular-season game. But based on their performance throughout the year, CUA was invited to play at 8-2 Johns Hopkins University in the ECAC Southeast Bowl. The Cards' 18-17 victory was the program's first postseason triumph since it captured the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 1936.
CUA finished in a four-way tie for first place in the ODAC with a 4-2 record. Thirteen Cardinals were named All-Conference, including six on the first team. Senior defensive back Nick Olivero was named ODAC Defensive Player of the Year, and quarterback Keith Ricca Offensive Player of the Year.
Olivero garnered ODAC Scholar Athlete of the Year honors and won the Harris Cup, CUA's most prestigious award for male senior athletes. He was also named All-Region by D3football.com and honorable mention All-American. Ricca joined him on the All-Region team.
Dunn, hired in January 2006, is 17-14 overall (.548) with the Cards. He is the program's eighth varsity head coach since it joined Division III in 1977 and its 23rd overall.
Building His Coaching Resume
Dunn began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1990 when he served as USD's defensive line coach under head coach Brian Fogarty. In the springs of 1991-92, he played professionally and was head coach of the Graz Giants in Austria. Dunn played running back, defensive end and occasionally quarterback and led the team to a 16-4 record.
In the fall of 1992, Dunn coached outside linebackers at Indiana State University. One of his players, Dan Brandenburg, was a seventh-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1996 and played three years for the Bills.
From 1993-96, Dunn guided Masuk High School of Monroe, Conn., to a 29-12 record, including 1995 and '96 South West Conference Colonial Division championships. The 1996 squad a Class L state semifinalist.
Dunn returned to the college ranks for the following two seasons as defensive line and strength coach at Harvard University, where he helped produce six All-Ivy League linemen. The 1997 club ranked second in the nation in scoring defense, went 9-1 and captured the Ivy League championship.
Dunn's prized defensive lineman, Tim Fleiszer, was the first player chosen in the 1998 Canadian Football League draft by the Montreal Alouettes. Dunn also coached Mike Sands, who played for the Rhein (Germany) Fire in NFL Europe, and Chris Nowinski, a former World Wrestling Entertainment performer who is now a leading expert on sports concussions.
In 1999-2000, Dunn coached Miami's Christopher Columbus High School and led the Explorers to a 17-4 record and two district titles. He was head coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, Fla., the next two seasons. His eight-year high school record is 56-26 (.683).
Dunn's work at John Paul II caught the attention of legendary coach Howard Schnellenberger, who hired him to coach running backs and special teams at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Dunn joined the Owls just prior to the start of spring practice in 2003 and helped the third-year program go 11-3, win 10 straight and reach the NCAA Division 1-AA national semifinals.
Dunn remained at FAU through the first three games of the 2004 season - all victories - until resigning to become the first head coach at Becker College in Worcester, Mass. He recruited 90 student-athletes in just nine months and came to CUA after the 2005 season.
Playing Career
Dunn played linebacker and tight end at Stamford (Conn.) Catholic High School - now Trinity Catholic - and helped the team go 9-2 as a senior (1983) and advance to the state championship game. He graduated in 1984 and was an assistant coach there in 1991.
While working summer basketball camps at the University of San Diego, Dunn became enamored with the Roman Catholic institution overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He played nose guard for USD and was a team captain his junior and senior years. He was named All-California and Torero's Defensive Player of the Year his final season (1989). The school records he established for sacks in a game (4), season (12) and career (19) stood for 18 years. He graduated in 1989 with a degree in business administration.
Kevin McGarry, who served as USD's defensive coordinator when Dunn played and coached there, has two sons (Timbo, Mike) in the CUA program. McGarry is now a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State University.
Personal
A native of Detroit, Dunn was born on Oct. 15, 1965 to Bob and
Nancy Dunn. His family moved to Trumbull, Conn., in 1975. He lives
in Arlington, Va., and has a son, Jack, 9.
