WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ — Former longtime Monmouth Football Head Coach Kevin Callahan was honored in a recognition ceremony prior to the Hawks defeating Sacred Heart Saturday, 31-24 in their home opener on newly minted Kevin Callahan Field at Kessler Stadium.
The ceremony was attended by friends, family, alumni and donors to celebrate Callahan, who spent 30-plus years at the helm of Monmouth Football.
During his 33 seasons, Callahan built the inaugural program from scratch and boosted its pedigree to become one of the best in the FCS. The team frequented the national rankings, earning multiple conference titles and reaching the FCS Playoffs three times. Callahan concluded his career with 197 wins, the first to reach such a tally among other active head coaches at the time of his retirement. The legendary coach also notched seven conference championships across his career.
The architect of Monmouth Football, Callahan was the first and only coach in its history upon his retirement last spring. In honor of his legacy, the Athletics Department and the University unveiled renderings of a relief panel that will be installed this fall to coincide with the field naming.
"There are very few people whose names become synonymous with an institution. Kevin Callahan is one of those people," said Director of Athletics
Jennifer Sansevero during her speech at the recognition ceremony held at Kessler Stadium's Doherty Deck. "You've spent, again, more than three decades building something that will outlive all of us. You built a program. You built a family. And you built a legacy. Today we get to make sure that legacy has a permanent home. Years from now, young men who never had the opportunity to play for you will run onto this field. New coaches will stand on its sidelines. Families will fill these stands. Championships will be won here, and generations of Hawks will make memories here."
Gallery: (9-5-2026) Kevin Callahan Field Dedication 9/5 (2)
Guest speakers included Sansevero who emceed the event, along with Touchdown Club Charter Member and alumni Don Burnaford '72, current Hawks head coach
Jeff Gallo, Monmouth University President
Patrick F. Leahy and surprise guest speaker, Callahan's daughter, Julia.
"We can't do enough to honor Coach Cal," Gallo said during his speech. "The first thing is thank you. The thank you is really seeing something when nothing was there. To have a vision is one thing, and then to have a work ethic to build and those two things are incredible. The vision and the work ethic to build something and make it your own."
Additionally, Callahan went out with team captains at midfield for the game's opening coin toss, which the Hawks won. Callahan was also presented with an honorary bronze football from CAA Commissioner Joe D'Antonio.
Monmouth Football returns to action Saturday, traveling to face Western Michigan. The Hawks return to Kevin Callahan Field at Kessler Stadium Oct. 3 when they host CAA opposition, Towson. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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