Monmouth University Will Honor Founding Head Football Coach Kevin Callahan with Field Naming at Kessler Stadium

Kevin Callahan Field will make its debut during the Hawks' 2026 home opener against Sacred Heart.

Callahan served as the only head coach in Monmouth Football history from the program's inaugural season in 1993 through 2025, building the Hawks into a nationally recognized Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program while mentoring generations of student-athletes on and off the field. '05, '12M, who shared the sideline with Callahan as a member of his staff for 20 years and played for him from 2000 to 2003, was named head coach at Monmouth Football in December 2025.

"Coach Kevin Callahan didn't just build a football program, he built a culture, a family, and a tradition that defines Monmouth Football to this day," said Monmouth University Director of Athletics . "From the very first practice to decades of championships, milestones, and unforgettable moments, Kevin poured his heart into creating something that will endure for generations. Naming the field in his honor is more than a tribute, it is a permanent reminder that every player, coach and fan who walks onto that field stands on the foundation he built. His name will forever be intertwined with the values of excellence, resilience and selflessness that have become synonymous with Monmouth Football, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future Hawks."

Callahan was hired as Monmouth Football's first-ever coach in 1992 and was the at the helm for the team's inaugural season in 1993. Over Callahan's 33 seasons, Monmouth evolved from a fledgling, non-scholarship program into a consistently competitive team - posting top 20 national rankings, earning multiple conference titles, and reaching the FCS Playoffs three times.

In 2025, Callahan concluded his career with 197 wins - first among active head coaches at the time of his retirement - and seven conference championships. He was the longest-tenured coach in the FCS, and one of only four active Division I head coaches with 30-plus years at one institution. He achieved double-digit wins in a season four times throughout his head coaching career, setting a program record of 11 in 2019. Callahan is a five-time Coach of the Year, and coached over 50 All-Americans and notable NFL players, such as two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Miles Austin, and two-time Super Bowl Champion wide receiver Chris Hogan.

"Kevin Callahan arrived when Monmouth was still a college, and football was just an idea on paper, and finished with a program ranked among the best in the country," said Monmouth University President . "He proved Monmouth could compete with anyone, long before the rest of higher education came around to that idea. There is no version of Monmouth Football history that isn't his, and I am delighted to put his name on the field Sept. 5."

Ticket information and additional details about Monmouth's home opener on Kevin Callahan Field are available at monmouthhawks.com.

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