Hobart College Interim Director of Athletics Brian Miller announced today that Kevin DeWall '00 has been appointed the 24th head coach of the Statesmen football program. DeWall will be the first alum to lead Hobart on the gridiron since Francis L. "Babe" Kraus '24 guided the program in 1942. The 2000 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year, DeWall received a bachelor's degree in biology at Hobart, earning Dean's List honors in each of his four years on campus where he was a member of the Orange Key and Druid honor societies.
 
"We are honored to welcome Kevin back to Hobart," Miller says. "He is a model Statesman and an exceptional leader who has a keen offensive mind and an acute attention for detail. With a strong record of success as a coach and with a focus on developing character and academic success in his players, Kevin is the right coach to lead the next chapter of Hobart football."
 
DeWall has 18 years of coaching experience, including three as the head coach at Endicott College and 12 as Hobart's offensive coordinator. He takes over from his former head coach and mentor Mike Cragg, who accepted a new role as Senior Director of Development for Athletics.
 
"This is an exciting day for Hobart football," Cragg says. "Kevin is an incredible football coach who values the principles of Division III sports. He will lead the program with passion, conviction and with honor. I'm very excited for the future of Hobart football."
 
At Endicott, DeWall raised the football program's strength of schedule, expanded the program's recruiting footprint, and improved the academic performance of Gull football players. In addition to serving as head coach at Endicott, he was the team's offensive coordinator and worked directly with the quarterbacks. During his three seasons in Beverly, Mass., DeWall's student-athletes earned 90 conference all-academic awards (sophomores, juniors or seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher), 30 all-conference awards, two conference defensive rookie of the year awards and one CoSIDA Academic All-America award.
 
"Kevin has proven his dedication to Hobart and William Smith Colleges and to the Statesmen football program," says HWS President Gregory J. Vincent '83. "He brings a wide range of experiences to his new role with a focus on mentoring students to be exceptional scholars, citizens and athletes. We are proud to welcome him back to his alma mater."
 
"It is with great enthusiasm, passion and pride that I return to campus to lead the Hobart football family," says DeWall. "I am grateful for this tremendous opportunity and for the support and mentorship of President Vincent, Vice President Flowers, Interim Director of Athletics Brian Miller, Coach Mike Cragg, the Statesmen Athletic Association and the HWS Board of Trustees. HWS is a special place that truly prepares our students to lead lives of consequence. With so many loyal alums, a strong history of success, and the vision of President Vincent, I am honored for this opportunity and eager to get going."
 
In more than a decade as Hobart's offensive coordinator, DeWall oversaw the development of 77 All-Liberty League selections, including three Liberty League Offensive Players of the Year. He was the position coach for current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ali Marpet '15. DeWall's quarterbacks routinely broke game, season and career passing records. He also had four running backs combine for six 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
 
The architect behind some of Hobart's most productive teams in program history, DeWall's offense generated eight of the top nine scoring seasons and eight of the top 10 seasons of total offense in school history. In 2012 and 2014, the Statesmen advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
 
DeWall began his coaching career with the Statesmen in 2000, serving as the defensive backs coach for three seasons. In his first season on the sidelines, Hobart broke the NCAA season record for lowest completion percentage allowed (31.3%).
 
As a Hobart student, DeWall was a defensive back in football and an attackman for the Division I Statesmen lacrosse team. When he graduated in 2000, he held the record for career assists in Division I, helping Hobart earn two NCAA lacrosse tournament appearances and the 2000 Patriot League Championship.
 
DeWall inherits a Hobart team coming off a 7-3 season. The Statesmen were 3-2 and tied for third in the Liberty League. Over the past seven seasons, Hobart has won five Liberty League Championships and made five NCAA playoff appearances.
 
DeWall is originally from Waterloo, N.Y., and was inducted into the Waterloo Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.