Holy Cross football head coach Dan Curran has announced several updates to his staff ahead of the 2025 season. 

Bo Alexander joins the Crusader staff as its defensive line coach. Last season, Alexander served as the defensive line coach and director of operations at Wheeling University in Wheeling, W.Va. Prior to that position, he was a defensive ends coach at Eastern Michigan University during the 2023 season, in which the Eagles qualified for the 68 Ventures Bowl. 

Alexander previously served as a graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, working with the defensive tackles. There, he worked with All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Calijah Kancey, in addition to three other All-ACC selections. Pitt earned the ACC title in 2021 and won the 2022 Sun Bowl. In 2021, the Panthers played in the Peach Bowl, recorded their first 11-win season in 40 years and finished with their highest final season ranking (#13) since 1982. 

After 40 career games as an inside linebacker for Kent State, Alexander made his first coaching stop with Beloit College, where he worked as a defensive line coach in 2018 before returning to his alma mater as a grad assistant in 2019 and 2020.

"I'm excited to officially welcome Coach Alexander to the Holy Cross football family," Curran said. "Coach Alexander is a rising star in the profession and has worked under some great coaches over the past five years. He also has a proven track record in player development and as a recruiter, and will be a great addition to our defensive line room."

Westin Elliott, who worked with the Crusaders during the 2024 season as an offensive quality control coach, has been promoted to running backs coach. Last year, he was part of an offensive staff that helped Holy Cross average 28.7 points per game in league action. 

"Coach Elliott is a talented young coach who we are excited about," Curran said. "He did a great job in the offensive quality control role last year, and I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job with the running backs room."

Rich Gunnell, who has served on the Holy Cross staff since 2022 as the wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator, has been elevated to assistant head coach. He will continue to coach the receivers, highlighted by 2024 All-Patriot League first team honoree Max Mosey. The Crusaders' 20 touchdown receptions in 2024 ranked second in the league. 

"Coach Gunnell is one of the most respected coaches in the department," Curran said. "He is a natural leader and does an excellent job connecting with every player, coach and staff member that is part of the program."

Matt Schell will take over as the team's pass game coordinator in addition to retaining his roles as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Schell helped guide tight end Jacob Petersen to All-New England and All-Patriot League accolades in 2024. 

"Matt has been a major difference maker for our program and excels as a recruiter and in player development," Curran said. "His enhanced role in our game planning as an offense has been well-earned and I fully expect that role to continue to be enhanced over the next few years. "

Nicole Vuncanon, who spent the 2024 season as the director of on-campus recruiting, has been elevated to the role of assistant recruiting coordinator.  

"We have been able to put together two highly decorated recruiting classes the past two years, and Nicole has played a huge role in that process," Curran said. "She has an extremely bright future in the business and her promotion is well-deserved."

2025 HOLY CROSS FOOTBALL STAFF
Dan Curran | Head Coach 
Bryan Robbat | Associate Head Coach / Special Teams Coordinator / Secondary
Rich Gunnell | Assistant Head Coach / Wide Receivers
Andrew Dresner | Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks 
Brian Vaganek | Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
Bo Alexander | Defensive Line Coach
Patrick Denecke | Offensive Line Coach
Westin Elliott | Running Backs Coach 
Jesse Monteiro | Cornerbacks Coach
Matt Schell | Tight Ends Coach / Pass Game Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator
Jimmy Walsh | Safeties Coach
Shane Davenport | Director of Sport Performance / Head of Football Strength and Conditioning / Pro Liaison
Cameron Borges | Director of Operations
Nicole Vuncanon | Assistant Recruiting Coordinator 
Mike Vulcano | Assistant Director of Operations
Mike Pucko | Assistant Defensive Line Coach
Emil LaMarca | Defensive Quality Control
Kevin Hennessey | Special Teams Quality Control

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