Monmouth reshuffles staff with new head coach promoted and DC departed
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After seven weeks of reorganizing, Monmouth’s football coaching staff for the 2026 season has been solidified.
In the wake of program icon Kevin Callahan’s retirement after 33 seasons leading the Hawks as the only football coach in Monmouth’s history, offensive coordinator Jeff Gallo was elevated to the top job on Dec. 11. A little less than three weeks later, defensive coordinator Lewis Walker elected to return to North Dakota State, leaving openings at both coordinator spots.
With the sweeping announcement of the new staff, those spots are now filled with promoted assistants and plenty more new developments in other roles. Here’s a breakdown of all the new coaching changes for 2026.
Louis DiRienzo Jr. elevated to defensive coordinator
Less than a year after joining Monmouth as linebackers coach last February, DiRienzo is now elevated to the top job on the defense after overseeing the swift development of the team’s linebacker group with several late offseason additions. That proved to be pivotal as the defense saw clear improvement in 2025, finishing second in the CAA in turnovers. With three key returners in Charlie Sasso, Ryan Russo, and Spencer Kishbaugh, the defense is poised to build on that success this fall.
DiRienzo was previously defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at D-III Springfield before joining the Hawks, and he now resumes his work in both roles for the 2026 season. He was previously an assistant at Rutgers and Wagner after concluding his playing career at Southern Connecticut State.
Jimmy Robertson elevated to offensive coordinator
Robertson joined Monmouth as quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator in 2022 after a successful stint at FDU-Florham that culminated with one season as head coach in 2021, leading the team to a 7-4 record and winning Middle Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year honors. The older brother of star quarterback Derek Robertson oversaw offensive improvement in each of the past three seasons, highlighted by the Hawks finishing with the top FCS offense in the country in 2025.
He will remain as quarterbacks coach in addition to being promoted to offensive coordinator, and like DiRienzo has a wealth of prior experience that prepares him well for the new role. Robertson has been an outstanding pairing with Gallo and the rest of the offensive staff. With Gallo indicating at his introductory press conference that there will be continuity with him still working closely with the offense, this decision is about maintaining and building upon the recent run of success.
Other staffing adjustments
Obviously, these decisions have some trickle down effects and there are also some intriguing new responsibilities being doled out amongst the staff. Gallo had previously served as assistant head coach, and that title now applies to two longtime offensive assistants in Brian Gabriel and Sam Dorsett. Gabriel, who has been with the program for more than two decades, will add that role to his current responsibilities as offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Dorsett, who has been with the program since 2013, will take up that title in addition to being running backs coach. Both coaches have been cornerstones of Monmouth’s signature potent running game.
One of the most intriguing developments is wide receivers coach Kevin Callahan Jr. being named as general manager in addition to his coaching duties. He has a proven track record of player development, as demonstrated by the success of wide receiver Dymere Miller becoming an All-American in 2023 who went on to become the leading receiver at Rutgers and Josh Derry’s similar success this past fall as he will join Central Florida in the Power 4 next season. Callahan Jr. demonstrated an exceptional eye for talent as the team’s recruiting coordinator, and it will be interesting to see how that translates to his role as the program’s inaugural GM.
Along the same lines, defensive backs coach Kamau Dumas will be adding the role of recruiting coordinator. He was integral in Monmouth’s outsized success on the recruiting trail this season with an impressive class of incoming high school recruits. The former standout player for the Hawks has been a welcomed return to West Long Branch since rejoining the program last February.
Defensive line coach Codey Cole will add the role of run game coordinator to his responsibilities in 2026 while Special teams coordinator Dennis Long will add the title of tight ends coach, a role previously held by Gallo. There will also be a future announcement on additional incoming coaches given the recent promotions.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth football finalizes 2026 coaching staff with new coordinators
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