McGonagle Announces Updates To Coaching Staff

BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott football head coach Paul McGonagle has announced changes to his coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season.

Kevin Bracken has been hired as the program's next assistant coach/defensive coordinator.

McGonagle also has promoted Antonio Rossi to special teams coordinator and elevated Mehdi Squalli '21 M'23 to recruiting coordinator. 

Rossi will continue to lead the linebackers group, while Squalli will oversee the defensive line alongside their promotions.

"We are thrilled to have Coach Bracken join our football family. He brings experience coordinating and recruiting at the Division III level as well as Division 1 FCS," said McGonagle.

Mark Ledbetter (assistant head coach/offensive line), Bob Holmes (defensive backs), Kendall Dardy-Jones (assistant defensive backs), Cory Gaff (running backs), Tyler Perillo '23 (tight ends), and Jack Dustin (strength & conditioning) remain on staff for the 2024 season.

MORE ON KEVIN BRACKEN

Bracken joins the staff from John Carroll University (D3) where he served as the program's defensive coordinator/linebackers coach last season.

While at John Carroll, Bracken was responsible for coaching/mentoring the defense, creating/developing relationships with student-athletes, holding daily meetings with the defensive unit/linebackers, installing weekly game plans, creating drills, and film review.

Bracken also mentored the assistant coaches on staff, served as the communication liaison to the medical staff for the student-athletes within the program, and coordinated official visits. 

Last fall, John Carroll posted an 8-2 overall record (8-1 OAC) marking the fourth time in five seasons the Blue Streaks have tallied eight or more victories in a campaign.

Bracken's defensive unit registered the following NCAA Division III national rankings (238 programs): fourth down conversion defense (4th), scoring defense (53rd), total defense (58th), first down defense (62nd), and rushing defense (67th).

Notable coaches to come through John Carroll's football program include NFL Hall of Famer Don Shula and former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels.

John Carroll also has produced several NFL general managers highlighted by Nick Caserio and Chris Polian, among others.

Prior to his time at John Carroll, Bracken spent five years at Bucknell University (FCS).

His duties over time included defensive line coach, linebackers coach, and run game coordinator responsibilities. 

Bracken's other coaching stints include Villanova (FBS) and Franklin & Marshall (D3). 

Bracken graduated from Moravian College (D3) with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2015.

He was a three-year starter at linebacker and captain of the program as a senior.

Bracken went on to play professional indoor football for the Central Penn Capitals of the American Indoor Football (AIF) league. 

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)