CAREER WRITE-UP
Anthony Van Curen’s interim tag was removed in 2022, where he was named the sixth football head coach in program history.
“I would like to thank President Capuano, Dr. Pignatello, Athletic Director Jenn Noon and everyone else on the search committee for this incredible opportunity to lead our football program here at FDU-Florham,” said Van Curen. “FDU has always been home for me – it’s where my college coaching career began and I couldn’t be more excited to be the head football coach here.”
Van Curen, who served in numerous roles within the Devils’ football organization from 2014-16 and from 2019-22, including Video Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, Academic Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, Special Teams Assistant, Defensive Coordinator, Interim Head Coach and now Head Coach, has been able to transform the program into a team that is highly competitive within the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).
“Over the past two months and throughout the interview process, Anthony’s commitment to excellence and transformative mindset was seen first hand,” said Noon. “The current student-athletes and committed student-athletes are enthusiastic to have consistency within the program and we are very excited for Anthony to continue the success at the helm of our football program.”
In his first season as official head coach of the Devils, Van Curan led his team to 6-5 overall record and a record of 4-4 in the MAC conference of the 2022 season. All though MAC playoff dreams were cut short, He carried his team to back-to-back ECAC Bowl Championship appearances with a game against Grove City in the James Lynach Bowl.
In 2021, the FDU-Florham football team posted a record of 7-4 and won the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) James Lynah Bowl for the first time in program history. The Devils earned wins over William Paterson, Misericordia, Widener, Lebanon Valley, Albright, Alvernia and Saint Vincent this past fall. The seven wins are the second most all-time in program history.
Van Curen coached a defensive unit in 2021 that saw lineman Kenny Hands (Runnemede, NJ) earn D3football.com All-America honors and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Hands, who broke the single season record for sacks with 13.5, was placed on the All-MAC First Team, led the league in tackles for loss per game at 2.05 (seventh in Division III), solo tackles for loss with 19, solo sacks with 12 and total sacks with 13.5. His
As a team, Van Curen and the FDU-Florham defense held five opponents to 20 points or less, the most in a single season since 1999 and held MAC rival Widener to just three points in their game on October 2, 2021, the fewest the Pride have scored in a game since 2011.
“I wouldn’t be here without the support and love from my wife Allison, my kids Vincent, Camryn, Dominic and Alexandra, and the rest of my family. I am honored to be able to lead and guide our program into the future and help our student-athletes achieve success in the classroom, on the field and in life,” said Van Curen.
Prior to FDU-Florham, Van Curen served as a Graduate Assistant, Defensive Assistant and Player Development Coach at Division I Rutgers University from 2016-19 as well as the Assistant Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Special Teams Coordinator at John S. Burke Catholic High School from 2012-14.
Van Curen played football at Division III St. John Fisher College and guided the Cardinals to the quarterfinals of the 2011 NCAA Championship Tournament as well as to the 2010 ECAC Northwest Bowl Championship.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT VAN CUREN
“Coach Van Curen is a home run hire for FDU. He’s smart, hard working, detailed and loves people. He will build a program that the University, the fans and the alumni will be extremely proud of. His constant positivity is infectious and will help create an environment that will bring out the best in everyone around him.” – Chris Ash, Las Vegas Raiders Defensive Backs Coach
“I am so happy for Coach Van Curen and his family. There’s no one more deserving to lead FDU Football into a new era, as he was instrumental in our record breaking season and bowl win last year. His relentless work ethic and love for FDU will be contagious to everyone in the program. I can’t wait to see the Devils take the field under his leadership.” – Jimmy Robertson, Former FDU-Florham Head Football Coach
“The appointment of Anthony Van Curen as the Head Football Coach at FDU is a tremendous move. Coach Van Curen is a tireless worker who is passionate about molding student-athletes. He will provide them an environment to become the best versions of themselves, academically and athletically. The FDU football program will continue to build and reach new heights under Coach Van Curen.” – Ross Douglas, New England Patriots Wide Receivers Coach
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Head Football Coach, Fairleigh Dickinson University (2022-Present)
Defensive Coordinator, Fairleigh Dickinson University (2019-2022)
Graduate Assistant/Defensive Assistant/Player Development Coach, Rutgers University (2016-2019)
Defensive Line Coach, Fairleigh Dickinson University (2014-2016)
Assistant Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator, John S. Burke Catholic High School (2012-2014)
HONOR AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2024 MAC Centennial Bowl Championship
One ECAC James Lynah Bowl Game appearance
One Second Team All-American selection
Two All-Region selections
34 MAC All-Conference selections
Five ECAC All-Conference selections
PLAYING CAREER
Played football at St. John Fisher College for four years (2008-2011)
2011 NCAA Championship Tournament appearance
2010 ECAC Northwest Bowl Championship appearance
EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from St. John Fisher College (2011)
