WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University Head Football Coach Kevin Callahan will be inducted to the Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Fame at halftime of the 39th Annual All-Shore Gridiron Classic football game on Thursday night.
Callahan will be inducted at halftime of the annual all-star game featuring players from Monmouth and Ocean Counties. He will be inducted with current Middletown South Head Coach Steve Antonucci and former Asbury Park Press sports editor Dick Brinster.
“I'm extremely honored to be inducted into the Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Fame,” said Callahan. “Over the past 24 years the Monmouth University football program has enjoyed a great relationship with the players and coaches of the Shore Conference. It is a special honor to be inducted with Coach Antonucci and Dick Brinster.”
The game will be broadcast live from Central Regional High School on the Shore Sports Network 1160/1310 AM and ShoreSportsNetwork.com . Monmouth play by play announcer Matt Harmon will be on the call along with Kevin Williams (Monmouth Football Public Address), Ed Sarluca and Brad Burascano.
The only head coach in the history of football at Monmouth, Kevin Callahan has developed a winning tradition in West Long Branch. Callahan, whose 131 wins is 13th among active coaches at the FCS level, ushered in a new era for MU football when the Hawks joined the Big South Conference in 2014.
A number of former Shore Conference players have flourished under Callahan's watch in West Long Branch, including current First Team All-Big South selection Mike Basile (Brick). Former Manchester standout Joe Johnson recently graduated after being named all-conference and will begin Law School at Georgetown in September. Over the past 23 seasons Monmouth has had over 20 players earn all-conference recognition including quarterbacks Brian Boland (Brick Memorial) and Brett Burke (Wall), Mike Murphy (Toms River East), Neal Sterling (Manasquan) and Dan Sullivan (Manasquan).
Beginning his 24th season at the helm of the Hawks, Callahan has amassed a 131-108 record while his teams have captured five conference titles. Along the way, Monmouth has been ranked among the top 20 in total offense on two occasions and in total defense five times. Meanwhile, over 120 players have earned conference recognition, while numerous Hawks have earned regional and national honors. Regarded as an outstanding coach by his peers, Callahan served as the President of the FCS Football Coaches Committee in 2007-08 and served a 10 year term as a member of the committee. Under his watch, six former Hawks have earned spots on NFL rosters, including Miles Austin who was an All-Pro wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.
Academically, Callahan's squads have consistently performed at a high level. Eight players have been named to the prestigious FCS ADA Academic All-Star team (average of 55 FCS players selected per season) a total 11 times. Monmouth has had at least one representative on the Capital One Academic All-District Team for each of the last 16 seasons, including three-time selection Joe Johnson (Manchester HS) who was also a two-time Big South All-Academic Team member. Monmouth has ranked second among Big South schools in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR) in each of the first two seasons the Hawks have been in the league. While a member of the Northeast Conference, Monmouth averaged 20 players per year on the Academic Honor Roll (greater than a 3.2 cumulative gpa), and owned the highest team grade point average in two of its final three seasons in the league.
Kickoff for the 39th Annual All-Shore Gridiron Classic is slated for 7 p.m. Monmouth County leads the all-time series, 20-17-1. For more information visit ShoreSportsNetwork.com
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