A former all-conference player for the Hawks and veteran of the Monmouth coaching staff, Jeff Gallo was named Offensive Coordinator In the Spring of 2019. The 2025 season will be Gallo's 21st on the Monmouth sidelines, sixth as Offensive Coordinator and second as Associate Head Coach. Gallo also coaches the Monmouth tight ends, a position he has held since 2007.
Under Gallo, who was a finalist for FootballScoop.com’s FCS Coordinator of the Year award, Monmouth’s offense put together a historic 2024 season, establishing itself as one of the most explosive units in the FCS. The Hawks led the CAA and ranked among the nation’s top 10 in multiple statistical categories, finishing first in the FCS in total offense and fourth-down conversions while ranking second in scoring offense and passing offense. Quarterback Derek Robertson orchestrated the attack, earning CAA Offensive Player of the Year honors after leading the nation in passing yards per game and total offense, while finishing as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Running back Sone Ntoh powered the ground game, leading the FCS in scoring, total touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns. Monmouth made history with its first-ever FBS victory, a thrilling 45-42 win over FIU, and capped the year by knocking off two ranked opponents, including a 40-33 victory over No. 8/9 Villanova and a 55-47 road win at No. 20/18 Stony Brook. The Hawks’ success was recognized with seven offensive All-CAA selections, including first-team all-conference honors for Robertson and Ntoh. That duo earned All-American consideration along with freshman All-American awards for Rodney Nelson and Tra Neal.
The 2023 season saw Monmouth's offense continue its success from the 2022 campaign. The Hawks ranked 12th in total offense (431.5 ypg) and 13th in scoring offense (32.5 ppg) thanks in large part to a pair of consensus First Team All-Americans in running back Jaden Shirden and wide receiver Dymere Miller. Shirden finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting after leading the country in rushing for the second consecutive season (134.4 ypg), while Miller was first in the FCS in receiving in both total yards (1,293) and yards per game (117.5). Shirden once again headlined Monmouth's CAA award winners as the Offensive Player of the Year, while Miller joined him on the First Team. Running back Sone Ntoh and offensive lineman Greg Anderson earned Second Team honors. In addition, graduate center Tyler Williams made the Third Team.
Monmouth's offense did not miss a beat in its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2022, highlighted by the emergence of Shirden, a consensus All-American selection at running back. Shirden finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting after he led the entire country in rushing at the end of the regular season, including FBS running backs, with 1,722 yards. His 8.4 yards per carry and 156.5 rushing yards per game were both tops in the FCS, earning him CAA Offensive Player of the Year honors. Shirden averaged an impressive 52.8 yards on 13 touchdown runs, including eight 50+ yard touchdown runs, and added 13 touchdowns. In addition to Shirden's dominance, fellow running back Owen Wright joined Shirden on the first team, while Miller earned second team honors. Offensive linemen Greg Anderson and Justin Szuba both were voted Third Team All-CAA. Monmouth's offensive attack led the CAA and ranked in the top 15 nationally in total offense (461.7 ypg) and scoring offense (36.4 ppg) in 2022.
In 2021, Monmouth's offense, the top scoring unit in the Big South Conference with 32 points per game, had eight of its 11 starters earn all-league honors. Five Hawks were named First Team All-Big South, including quarterback Tony Muskett, running back Juwon Farri, wide receiver Lonnie Moore IV and offensive linemen AJ Farris and OL Mahmoud Shabana. Farris went on to be named the Rimington Trophy Award winner, given to the FCS's top center, for the second consecutive season.
In the Spring 2021 campaign where the Monmouth offense finished 11th in the nation in points per game (35.0) and ranked in the top-20 in passing offense (17th) and rushing offense (18th). Running back Juwon Farri, the Big South Offensive Player of the Year, was the NCAA statistical champion in scoring, a consensus Second Team All-America selection and ranked in the top three nationally in a number of rushing categories. Quarterback Tony Muskett claimed the Big South Offensive Freshman of the Year award en route to a fifth-place finish for the Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman of the Year).
Gallo's debut season as Monmouth's Offensive Coordinator was the historic 2019 season, one in which the offense set or broke over 50 team and individual records. The Hawks captured their first of consecutive Big South Championships while averaging 35.8 points per game which was 13th nationally. Running back Pete Guerriero led the nation in rushing yards with 1,995 while finishing third in the voting for the Walter Payton Award, the Football Championship Subdivision's most valuable player. The consensus All-American set the school records for rushing and all-purpose yards en route to being named FCS ADA Running Back of the Year. Quarterback Kenji Bahar, MU's first Big South Offensive Player of the Year, rewrote the Monmouth passing record book and finished eighth in the voting for the Payton Award, marking the first time the Hawks had two players as finalists for the prestigious honor. In all, the Monmouth offense boasted six All-Americans and nine of the 11 starters earned All-Big South honors. Guerriero and Bahar would earn multiple opportunities in the NFL, signing as free agents at the conclusion of the draft while the Hawks would earn a final ranking of 11th in the nation, their highest finish at the time.
Gallo has been a part of Callahan's staff since 2005, and has served as the tight ends coach since 2007. Gallo has coached two NFL tight ends in John Nalbone and Hakeem Valles, and in five straight seasons Monmouth tight ends earned First Team all-Big South honors. Jake Powell was a two-time First Team All-Big South choice before Shawn Clark (2019) and Gene Scott (Spring 2021, Fall 2021) continued the tradition. In Gallo's time at Monmouth his players have set every MU tight end receiving record while five players have earned tryouts or roster spots in the NFL. Gallo has coached all-conference players in 12 of the last 16 years while Nalbone, an All-American, became Monmouth's highest drafted when he was chosen in the fifth round by the Miami Dolphins. Nalbone also became the first Hawk drafted in the NFL, going on to play for three teams in four seasons.
Valles could not crack the Monmouth two-deep as a wide receiver when he decided to request a switch to tight end. Over the next two seasons he would go on to start 20 games for the Blue & White, finishing third on the team in receptions and reception yardage as a senior in 2015. As his blocking improved, interest in the 6'5" Sicklerville, NJ native picked up by NFL teams with all 32 visiting West Long Branch to watch or work him out. Valles signed with the Cardinals moments after the 2016 Draft concluded and was assigned to the practice squad at the start of the season.
Mike McLafferty, who earned NFL mini-camp invites from three different teams, completed the finest season for a Monmouth tight end in 2013, setting the position record with 501 receiving yards on 24 receptions, highlighted by a pair of 100-plus yard games and led the Hawks with 20.9 yards per reception. Despite only earning the starting nod as a senior, McLafferty finished his career as Monmouth’s sixth all-time leading receiver.
Gallo began his coaching career in 2005 when he served as Monmouth's Director of Football Operations. The former Hawk offensive lineman handled a number of administrative duties for the Monmouth football team, including but not limited to all aspects of team travel and organizing the Annual Monmouth Football Golf Outing. Gallo has been instrumental in fundraising and alumni relations, setting up numerous events held throughout the year.
Gallo enjoyed a stellar four-year playing career as a Hawk from 2000-03. He tabbed first-team All-Northeast Conference honors as an offensive lineman and was named a second-team Don Hansen All-American during his senior campaign. Gallo also earned the Monmouth University Lombardi Award while leading the Hawks to an NEC Championship and then ECAC Football Classic in the 2003 season.
A South Jersey native and graduate of Cherokee High School, Gallo 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.
