{{short description|American football coach (born c. 1967)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox college coach | name = Dean Paul | image = | alt = | caption = | current_title = Associate head coach & defensive coordinator | current_team = John Carroll | current_conference = NCAC | current_record = | contract = | birth_date = {{Circa|{{Birth year and age|1969}}}} | birth_place = Garrettsville, Ohio, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = | player_years1 = 1987–1990 | player_team1 = Mount Union | player_positions = Running back | coach_years1 = 1991–1992 | coach_team1 = Allegheny (GA) | coach_years2 = 1993–1994 | coach_team2 = Tulane (assistant) | coach_years3 = 1995–1997 | coach_team3 = Wooster (DC/DB) | coach_years4 = 1998 | coach_team4 = Fordham (WR) | coach_years5 = 1999–2003 | coach_team5 = Thomas More | coach_years6 = 2004–2023 | coach_team6 = Ohio Northern | coach_years7 = 2024 | coach_team7 = John Carroll (AHC/LB) | coach_years8 = 2025 | coach_team8 = John Carroll (AHC/DC/S) | coach_years9 = 2026–present | coach_team9 = John Carroll (AHC/DC) | overall_record = 161–89 | bowl_record = | tournament_record = 3–3 (NCAA D-III playoffs) | championships = 2× OAC Coach of the Year (2010, 2015) | awards = | coaching_records = Winningest football coach in Ohio Northern University history. }} '''Dean Paul''' (born {{Circa|1969}}) is an American college football coach. He is the associate head football coach and defensive coordinator for John Carroll University, positions he has held since 2026. He was the head football coach at Ohio Northern University from 2004 to 2023 and Thomas More College from 1999 to 2003. He played college football as a running back at Mount Union College—now known as the University of Mount Union—from 1987 to 1990.
==Playing career== Paul earned eleven varsity letters at James A. Garfield High School in football, basketball, and baseball.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} He earned all-conference honors in all three sports. At Mount Union, he earned all Ohio Athletic Conference honors in 1988 and 1990 as a running back.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Dean Paul |url=http://www.onusports.com/sports/fball/coaches/paul?view=bio |access-date=February 27, 2018 |publisher=onusports.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nold |first=Bob |date=September 11, 1988 |title=Mount Union hardly misses a beat |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-mount-union-har/140888657/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |pages=63}}</ref> As a senior he led the Purple Raiders in rushing, receiving yards and receptions in a first round playoff game against Allegheny.<ref>{{cite web |title=1990 Game Eleven (NCAA Playoffs Round One): Allegheny 26, Mt. Union 15 |url=https://alleghenygators.com/news/2020/11/18/football-1990-game-eleven-ncaa-playoffs-round-one-allegheny-26-mt-union-15.aspx |publisher=Allegheny Gators Athletics |website=www.alleghenygators.com | date=November 18, 2020 | access-date=January 1, 2025 }}</ref>
==Coaching career==
Following Paul's graduation from Mount Union in 1991, he was hired as a graduate assistant for Allegheny under head coach Ken O'Keefe.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 24, 1991 |title=Allegheny |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-allegheny/140888410/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |pages=16}}</ref>
In 1993, Paul joined Tulane as an assistant coach under head coach Buddy Teevens.<ref name=":0" />
In 1995, Paul was named defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for Wooster under head coach Jim Barnes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Paulk |first=Ralph |date=September 3, 1995 |title=Wooster's offense can only improve |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-woosters-offen/140888082/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |pages=110}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Seaburn |first=John |date=September 1, 1995 |title=Barnes wants to restore tradition of excellence |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-barnes-wants-to/140888226/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |pages=64}}</ref> In his final year in 1997, he helped lead the team to a 9–1 record and a shared title of the North Coast Athletic Conference.
In 1998, Paul reunited with O'Keefe as his wide receivers coach for Fordham.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stevens |first=Joe |date=April 8, 1998 |title=Fordham football hires |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-fordham-football-hires/140887839/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=Newsday |pages=71}}</ref>
In 1999, Paul was named as the second all-time coach for Thomas More College—now known as Thomas More University—following the departure of Vic Clark.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schmidt |first=Neil |date=November 21, 2001 |title=No. 12 TMC is on a roll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-no-12-tmc-is-on/140887962/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |pages=45}}</ref> In his third season with the team he led them to their second all-time playoff appearance and first playoff win in 2001 as they finished the season going 11–1. In five seasons he went 40–12 with one playoff appearance.
In 2004, Paul was named head football coach for Ohio Northern University after interim head coach Stacey Hairston held the position for the 2003 season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 23, 2005 |title=Ohio Northern ends Mount Union's 110-game win streak |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-enquirer-ohio-northern-ends-mount/140889198/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=Ledger-Enquirer |pages=20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Estwick |first=Gary |date=November 1, 2004 |title=Coach brings winning spirit to Ohio Northern |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-coach-brings-wi/140889271/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |pages=C004}}</ref> In his twenty-year career with Ohio Northern he finished with an overall record of 121–77 including two postseason appearances in 2010 and 2015. Following the 2023 season, he announced his resignation from the school and ended his tenure as the program's all-time leader in wins.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-13 |title=Dean Paul leaves position as head coach of the Ohio Northern Football program |url=https://www.onusports.com/sports/fball/2023-24/releases/20231113lq4n10 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Zach |date=2023-11-13 |title=One of Division III's winningest coaches has stepped down |url=https://footballscoop.com/news/one-of-division-iiis-winningest-coaches-has-stepped-down-dean-paul-ohio-northern |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Footballscoop |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dean Paul becomes ONU winningest football coach |url=https://www.adaicon.com/news/201710/dean-paul-becomes-onu-winningest-football-coach |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Ada Icon |language=en}}</ref>
In 2024, Paul was named assistant head coach for John Carroll University under head coach Jeff Behrman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dean Paul - Football Coach |url=https://jcusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/dean-paul/2268 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=John Carroll University Athletics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title=Dean Paul Hired as Assistant Head Coach for JCU Football |url=https://jcusports.com/news/2024/2/5/dean-paul-hired-as-assistant-head-coach-for-jcu-football.aspx |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=John Carroll University Athletics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title=Veteran head coach Dean Paul joins John Carroll football staff |url=https://www.news-herald.com/2024/02/05/veteran-head-coach-dean-paul-joins-john-carroll-football-staff/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=News-Herald |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Veteran head coach Dean Paul joins John Carroll football staff |url=https://ground.news/article/veteran-head-coach-dean-paul-joins-john-carroll-football-staff |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Ground News |language=en}}</ref> After one season, he was promoted to defensive coordinator.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-16 |title=Joey Torok '23, Nate Dean, and Joe Vacik Added to Football Staff; Dean Paul Elevated to DC |url=https://jcusports.com/news/2025/4/15/joey-torok-23-nate-dean-and-joe-vacik-added-to-football-staff-dean-paul-elevated-to-dc.aspx |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=John Carroll University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> Following the 2025 season, Behrman left to become the head coach for Bucknell, leaving Paul to be elevated to John Carroll's interim head coach.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 1, 2026 |title=Jeff Behrman to Depart JCU, Search for Next Head Football Coach to Begin Immediately |url=https://jcusports.com/news/2026/1/1/jeff-behrman-to-depart-jcu-search-for-next-head-football-coach-to-begin-immediately.aspx |access-date=January 2, 2026 |publisher=John Carroll University}}</ref>
==Head coaching record== {{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = D3 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subhead | name = Thomas More Saints | conf = NCAA Division III independent | startyear = 1999 | endyear = 2003 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 1999 | name = Thomas More | overall = 7–3 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2000 | name = Thomas More | overall = 9–1 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2001 | name = Thomas More | overall = 11–1 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = NCAA Division III Second Round | bowloutcome = L | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2002 | name = Thomas More | overall = 7–3 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2003 | name = Thomas More | overall = 6–4 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Thomas More | overall = 40–12 | confrecord = }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subhead | name = Ohio Northern Polar Bears | conf = Ohio Athletic Conference | startyear = 2004 | endyear = 2023 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2004 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 8–2 | conference = 7–2 | confstanding = 2nd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = 19 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2005 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 8–2 | conference = 7–2 | confstanding = T–2nd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = 18 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2006 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 6–4 | conference = 5–4 | confstanding = T–4th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2007 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 7–3 | conference = 6–3 | confstanding = 3rd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2008 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 5–4 | conference = 5–4 | confstanding = T–3rd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2009 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 8–2 | conference = 7–2 | confstanding = T–2nd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = 13 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2010 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 10–2 | conference = 8–1 | confstanding = 2nd | bowlname = NCAA Division III Second Round | bowloutcome = L | bcsbowl = | ranking = 8 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2011 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 6–4 | conference = 5–4 | confstanding = T–4th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2012 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 4–6 | conference = 4–5 | confstanding = 6th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2013 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 6–5 | conference = 5–4 | confstanding = T–4th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2014 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 7–3 | conference = 6–3 | confstanding = 4th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2015 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 9–3 | conference = 7–2 | confstanding = T–2nd | bowlname = NCAA Division III Second Round | bowloutcome = L | bcsbowl = | ranking = 19 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2016 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 5–5 | conference = 5–4 | confstanding = T–4th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2017 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 7–3 | conference = 6–3 | confstanding = T–2nd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2018 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 5–5 | conference = 4–5 | confstanding = T–5th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2019 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 6–4 | conference = 6–3 | confstanding = T–3rd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2020–21 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 3–1 | conference = 3–1 | confstanding = 3rd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2021 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 4–6 | conference = 3–6 | confstanding = 7th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2022 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 3–7 | conference = 3–6 | confstanding = 7th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 2023 | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 4–6 | conference = 4–5 | confstanding = 6th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Ohio Northern | overall = 121–77 | confrecord = 106–69 }} {{CFB Yearly Record End | overall = 161–89 | bowls = no | poll = no | polltype = | legend = no }}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://jcusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/dean-paul/2268 John Carroll profile] * [http://www.onusports.com/sports/fball/coaches/paul?view=bio Ohio Northern profile]
{{Thomas More Saints football coach navbox}} {{Ohio Northern Polar Bears football coach navbox}} {{John Carroll Blue Streaks football coach navbox}} {{North Coast Athletic Conference football coach navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paul, Dean}} Category:Year of birth uncertain Category:1960s births Category:Living people Category:Allegheny Gators football coaches Category:American football fullbacks Category:Fordham Rams football coaches Category:John Carroll Blue Streaks football coaches Category:Mount Union Purple Raiders football players Category:Ohio Northern Polar Bears football coaches Category:Thomas More Saints football coaches Category:Tulane Green Wave football coaches Category:Wooster Fighting Scots football coaches Category:People from Garrettsville, Ohio Category:Coaches of American football from Ohio Category:Players of American football from Portage County, Ohio