The Holy Cross football team has a new coach, new coordinators, a new playbook and a new starting quarterback, but the Crusaders’ goals for 2024 are the same as always.
“That never changes,” HC senior running back Jordan Fuller said during Patriot League virtual media day Thursday. “(We want to) win the league and win every game on our schedule.”
The Crusaders report July 31 and open training camp Aug. 1 under first-year coach Dan Curran driven, determined and excited.
“We’re all fired up,” HC senior center Christo Kelly said.
Holy Cross, which is coming off its fifth straight Patriot League title, wrapped up its summer program Wednesday. Ninety-eight players were on campus this summer.
“That’s a really important piece for us,” Curran said, “to build that camaraderie, that chemistry. This is a motivated group with a big chip on their shoulder, and I know they’re ready to compete this year and represent Holy Cross.”
HC plays its opener Aug. 31 at the University of Rhode Island.
Last December, Holy Cross hired Curran, who spent the last 11 seasons as the coach at Merrimack, to succeed Bob Chesney .
During his six seasons at HC, Chesney led the Crusaders to four consecutive Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances, including the 2022 FCS quarterfinals, and re-established the program’s winning tradition. He departed to become the coach at James Madison University.
Over the last seven months, Curran has enhanced the flourishing environment with his own philosophy and perspective, while keeping many aspects of the program in place, including the Crusaders’ work in the weight room with HC director of sports performance Chris Grautski.
“There hasn’t been a lot of change in our day-to-day schedule,” Fuller said, “which is huge for our guys. Feeling very familiar with everything except the new staff allows you to focus on growing those relationships. The comfortability with our schedule has allowed us to embrace the new coaching staff and the new playbook.”
Brian Vaganek, whom Curran elevated to defensive coordinator, and Rich Gunnell, HC’s wide receivers coach/pass game coordinator, remain from Chesney’s staff.
Andrew Dresner, who spent four seasons with Curran at Merrimack and was the offensive coordinator at Maine and Stony Brook, is HC’s first-year OC and quarterbacks coach.
Senior quarterback Joe Pesansky , who started two games last season in place of injured Matthew Sluka , is primed to lead the offense, and Fuller, a 2023 All-American and HC’s career leader in rushing touchdowns, also will be a key piece of the unit.
In last year’s game at Army, Fuller suffered a season-ending left ankle injury, which required surgery and limited him to individual drills in spring ball. Fuller said he will be ready to go in training camp.
“I feel great, and I will be participating in camp as normal,” Fuller said. “I’m just really looking forward to getting to work with these guys.”
Fuller was one of four Holy Cross players to earn preseason All-Patriot League accolades.
Senior wide receiver Justin Shorter, senior linebacker Frankie Monte and sophomore defensive lineman William Robinson were the other honorees.
Holy Cross, which went 7-4 (5-1 Patriot) last year, ranked No. 2 in the PL preseason poll behind Lafayette. HC and Lafayette tied for the league title in 2023, and the Leopards earned the PL’s automatic FCS playoff bid based on the head-to-head tiebreaker, snapping HC’s postseason streak.
“Our goal is not just to get where we were at,” Kelly said. “It’s to see what the standard is and continue every day to raise it.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'We’re all fired up': Holy Cross football has new look at coach, QB yet goals remain same
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