“Coach Dunn knows our university well, but what impressed me most is his overall coaching philosophy and his total commitment to student-athletes,” said Interim University President Geraldine M. Jones. “Coach Dunn wants his players to perform well, not only on the field, but in the classroom, too. He expects them to represent the university in an outstanding manner.”
In 2015, the Dukes finished with an 8-4 overall record and made the program’s first appearance in the FCS Playoffs. Dunn worked with the top-ranked offense in the Northeast Conference (NEC), as Duquesne led the league with 30.7 points, 416.5 yards of total offense, 171.8 rushing yards and 244.8 passing yards per game. The Dukes boasted seven All-NEC selections on offense last fall, including three first-team honorees (two offensive linemen, wide receiver).
“This has been a dream of mine since I started coaching, to come back to California University and lead this program,” said Dunn. “It’s great to be home. I could not be happier and I could not be more excited.”
Dunn helped Duquesne post a winning season five times in his six years with the program, while earning at least a share of three NEC titles (2011, 2013, 2015). He mentored a total of 26 All-NEC selections with the Dukes, including three-time honoree Larry McCoy, who holds the all-time school record with 4,549 rushing yards. Additionally, wide receiver Chris King earned All-NEC laurels in each of the past two years behind consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a combined 22 receiving touchdowns.
In 2011, the Dukes registered their winningest season in nearly a decade with a 9-2 mark. Duquesne led the NEC with 212.8 rushing yards per game and ranked second in the league with 33.7 points and 415.3 yards of total offense per game. McCoy finished ninth in the country with 125.6 rushing yards per game, while wide receivers Isaac Spragg and Connor Dixon paced the league in receptions and receiving yards, respectively.
“To the players, I’m going to ask you guys to do some things that maybe you have not done in the past, but we are going to do it the right way,” said Dunn. “You are not going to find a guy that is going to get out-worked, I will out-work everybody in the league. You are not going to find a guy that cares for you more as people than I do and I will be there for you at all times”
While at Morehead State, Dunn served as the offensive coordinator for 11 seasons after spending two seasons as the offensive line and tight ends coach. In 2000, the Eagles led the FCS with 41.6 points and 523.9 yards of total offense behind the play of quarterback David Dinkins, a native of Pittsburgh. MSU matched the winningest season in school history in 2002, finishing with a 9-3 overall record behind an offense that ranked ninth in the country with 425.7 yards of total offense per game.
Dunn was a four-year starter on the offensive line for the Vulcans from 1991-94 and played for head coaches Jeff Petrucci and Kevin Donley. He was a team captain and earned All-PSAC West First-Teams honors at center as a senior before spending two seasons working with the offensive linemen and tight ends with the Vulcans under Donley.
A native of Pittsburgh, Dunn earned his bachelor’s degree from Cal U in political science in 1995 and completed his master’s degree in geography and regional planning from Cal U in 1997. He and wife, Melissa, reside in nearby Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, and have one daughter, Sydney.
