Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Lincoln Announces the Hiring of Josh Dean as the Lions' Head Football Coach

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- The Lincoln University Athletic Department and Athletic Director Harry Stinson III is proud to announce the hiring of Joshua Dean as the institution's next Head Football Coach.

Coach Dean brings nine years of collegiate coaching experience. Before his coaching career started, Dean played linebacker in the NFL from 2005 to 2006 where he was a free agent signee for the Chicago Bears under head coach Lovie Smith. He becomes the fifth Lincoln Head Football Coach since the program's revival in 2008 and the 24th head coach in the program's 123-year history.

"We are excited to welcome Josh Dean to the Lincoln Lion family," said Lincoln Athletic Director, Harry Stinson III. "He is a proven winner who shares in our core values and vision and will help direct us to where we would like our football program to be. His commitment to academic and athletic excellence, his defensive background, ability to lead and recruiting approach will have an immediate impact on our football program and I'm excited to see where he will lead our athletic teams.

Dean joins the Lincoln staff following a successful stint as the Defensive Line Coach at Campbellsville University in Kentucky. The Tigers finished 2017 with an 8-2 overall record and were ranked 20th nationally in the NAIA Top 25 poll. In addition the Tigers won the 2017 Victory Bowl. Following a 2-8 mark in 2016, Dean orchestrated a complete defensive turnaround in 2017 with the team giving up nearly 40% fewer points per game (26.6) and allowing only 96 yards rushing per game (6th best mark in NAIA Division I).

"I would like to thank President Dr. Brenda A. Allen, Athletic Director Mr. Harry Stinson, and the selection committee for giving me the opportunity to join Lincoln University as the new Head Coach of the Lions football program, "said Dean. "Our mission as a program is to create a "Culture of Success". This culture will be built on the foundation of Trust, Commitment, Caring, Accountability, and Discipline. I am extremely motivated to create a winning environment for student-athletes, as we strive for success on and off the field."

Prior to Campbellsville, Dean was the head football coach at NCAA DII Kentucky State University for three years. Dean led the Thoroughbreds to an 11-19 record in his three seasons as head coach. In 2015, Kentucky State had four players named to the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Team. The Thoroughbreds ranked No. 1 in DII in blocked punts, No. 3 in blocked field goals and No. 5 in total defense.

In two of his three seasons as Head Coach, Kentucky State won the Circle City Classic played in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dean also coached, Deshon Floyd, who in 2014 was a Rhodes Scholar finalist. Before his tenure as head football coach, Dean was the defensive line coach for the 2012 season.

Prior to Kentucky State, Dean was the safeties coach at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia, for three seasons. During that time, he helped mold First-Team All-SIAC Team members Ricardo Lockette, who would go on to help the Seattle Seahawks to a NFL Super Bowl victory; Marquette King, punter for the Oakland Raiders; and Ricky Johnson who went on to play in the Arena Football League (AFL) and Indoor Football League (IFL).

Stinson added "Anytime you get someone who has coached a Rhodes Scholar Finalist, has a father who played in the NFL, has coached athletes who were drafted and/or played at the professional level, being someone who played in the NFL, along with having head coach experience at the DII level; you know you have someone special who will be a great asset not only to our football program but to our athletic department and university. I have no doubt Coach Dean will bring an excellent brand of football, will teach our young men the true values of being a scholar athlete and will position us to be a force within the CIAA and Division II."

Dean began his collegiate playing career at San Diego State University where he was a defensive back from 2000 to 2004. After his time at SDSU, Dean went on to play professionally for the Bears during the 2005-06 seasons. After his time with the Bears, Dean continued his professional experience with the CFL Cologne Centurions during the 2006 season.

Dean graduated from Fort Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He later went on to earn his Masters of Sports Science degree in Sports Management at the United States Sports Academy.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

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