Monmouth Names Jeff Gallo As New Head Football Coach As Kevin Callahan Transitions To Advisory Role
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Following 33 seasons leading Monmouth University football, Head Coach Kevin Callahan will transition to a special advisor role within the athletic department, Director of Athletics
Jennifer Sansevero announced Thursday. Associate Head Coach Jeff Gallo has been named head coach, becoming the second in program history to hold the title.
"Coach Callahan's impact on Monmouth University cannot be measured," said Sansevero. "As the architect of this program, he built more than a football team. He built the identity, set the standards, and the pride that define Monmouth football. His legacy is the foundation we stand on. Now, we look to Jeff Gallo to carry the torch forward. Jeff is a proven leader who not only embodies what this program stands for but has the vision and drive to elevate it to new heights. Monmouth football is a program grounded in toughness, accountability, and connection and I'm honored to be part of this historic transfer of leadership."
In August 1992, Callahan was hired as Monmouth football's first-ever coach and in 1993 coached the Hawks in their inaugural season. Monmouth evolved from a brand-new, non-scholarship program into a consistently competitive team — posting top-20 national rankings, earning multiple conference titles, and reaching the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs three times.
"After 34 years at Monmouth University, it is time for me to pass the torch," Callahan said. "I am grateful for all of the friendships I have made, the challenges we've overcome, and the growth we have experienced. I am especially appreciative of all the student-athletes that have come through the program. I truly hope the influence I had upon them was equal to the profound impact they have had upon me. The goal has always been to not only develop them into great football players but into great men as well.
I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey and had a hand in our success. The program is at the highest point in its history, and I go with confidence that it will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come."
Monmouth achieved its program-best ranking during the 2025 season, reaching No. 6 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the STATS Perform Media Top 25; the Hawks finished the year at No. 16 and No. 21, respectively.
Callahan concludes his career with 197 wins and a 56.6% win percentage. His 197 victories rank first among active FCS head coaches. He was the longest-tenured coach in FCS and one of only four active Division I head coaches with 30-plus years at one institution. He achieved double-digit wins in a season four times throughout his tenure, setting a program record of 11 in 2019.
Throughout his illustrious career, Callahan won seven conference championships, including five Northeast Conference (NEC) titles (1996, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006) and two Big South crowns (2019, 2020). In 2017—his 25th season—he guided the Hawks to their first FCS Playoff berth, later adding two more postseason appearances (2019, Spring 2021). He led Monmouth to its first ever postseason victory on Nov. 30, 2019 – a 44-27 home win over Holy Cross. In 2024, he coached Monmouth to its only win over an FBS opponent, defeating Florida International University (FIU) 45-42.
Callahan is a five-time Coach of the Year, earning NEC Coach of the Year honors in 1998, 2003, and 2006, and Big South Coach of the Year accolades in 2019 and 2021. Callahan was selected twice as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, an honor that goes to the top head coach in FCS. In 2019, he was named the AFCA Region II Coach of the Year.
In addition to the dozens of former Hawks signed to NFL rosters, he coached 25 FCS STATS Perform FCS All-Americans, 15 AFCA All-Americans, and 14 Associated Press FCS All-Americans. Across the NEC, Big South, and the Coastal Athletic Association, Callahan totaled 203 all-conference selections. The most notable NFL players to come from Monmouth are two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Miles Austin and two-time Super Bowl Champion wide receiver Chris Hogan.
Callahan has coached one Big South Defensive Player of the Year, two Big South Offensive Players of the Year, and four Big South Freshmen of the Year; three NEC Offensive Players of the Year, five NEC Defensive Players of the Year, and four NEC Rookies of the Year; as well as four consecutive CAA Offensive Players of the Year and one CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Under Callahan, Monmouth teams have had 14 players named to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team a total of 19 times. Over 40 players earned CSC All-District honors and three CSC Academic All-Americans.
Check out the 2023 CAA Football Going Deep feature on how Coach Callahan built the Monmouth football program.
Gallo, who will immediately assume the head coaching role, played for Callahan at Monmouth from 2000-03, and completed his undergraduate degree at Monmouth University in 2005 and earned his MBA from Monmouth in 2012.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to be the next head football coach at Monmouth University," Gallo '05, '12M said. "This is an incredible opportunity to lead a great group of men, in a program that has been built over the years by Coach Callahan and his former players. My staff and I will work passionately to elevate the standard of Monmouth football. I want to thank President Leahy and Director of Athletics Jen Sansevero for believing in my vision for Monmouth football."
As a senior, Gallo earned First Team All-NEC honors and was named a Second Team Don Hansen All-American. He also received the Monmouth University Lombardi Award while helping lead the Hawks to an NEC Championship and the ECAC Football Classic title in 2003.
Gallo recently completed his 21st season on the sidelines. Hired in 2005, he was promoted in 2007 to coach the tight ends and has held that position ever since.
Gallo was elevated to offensive coordinator and associate head coach in the spring of 2019. Under his leadership, Monmouth's offense has ranked among the nation's best over the past two seasons. His coaching success earned national recognition, and he was named a finalist for FootballScoop.com's FCS Coordinator of the Year award in both 2024 and 2025.
Running backs Jaden Shirden (2022, 2023) and Rodney Nelson (2025) have thrived in Gallo's offensive system, winning the CAA Offensive Player of the Year Award in their respective seasons. Quarterback Derek Robertson (2024) also won the award, becoming the second quarterback in program history to win a conference award honor (Kenji Bahar, 2019, Big South).
Under Gallo, the Hawks offense has skyrocketed into consideration for the best in FCS over the last few seasons, finishing amongst the elite in nearly all statistical categories. This past season, Monmouth ranked first nationally in total offense (498.7 yards per game), second in passing offense (322.5), and fifth in scoring offense (40.0).
Gallo's offense powered Monmouth to its first-ever FBS victory, a 45-42 win at FIU, and wins over two ranked FCS opponents. Since joining the conference in 2022, 24 Hawks have earned All-CAA recognition, with multiple All-Americans and freshman All-Americans.
A South Jersey native and graduate of Cherokee High School, Gallo '05, '12M earned Third Team All-State and First Team All-South Jersey honors as a defensive lineman. He currently resides in Howell with his wife, Kirsten, daughter, Maryn, and son, Rocco.
A press conference announcing Callahan's transition and Gallo's elevation will be held on Monmouth University's campus at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. Fans may follow along watching the livestream that is set to be broadcast on the
official YouTube channel of Monmouth Athletics.