Andrew Cohen, defensive coordinator at Bowdoin College since 2011, was named the new Mary Jayne Comey and Mac Bristol '43 Head Football Coach at Hamilton College on July 17.
"Andrew Cohen is a high energy and enthusiastic individual who will work hard to build on last season's success," Director of Athletics Jon Hind '80 said. "He is creative and knowledgeable about all aspects of the game and is an excellent teacher, recruiter and motivator. Just as important, he embraces the NESCAC student-athlete philosophy, and expects a lot from his players on the field, in the classroom and as part of the larger Hamilton community."
Cohen succeeds Steve Stetson, who stepped down in the spring to become Hamilton's head men's and women's golf coach. In 2011, Stetson guided the football team to its highest win total in 15 years.
"I am excited to have this opportunity at Hamilton," Cohen said. "I am going to work extremely hard to make this one of the top programs in NESCAC year in and year out. I believe in creating a family atmosphere where past, present and future players will always feel a part of the program, and I look forward to being part of the Hamilton and Clinton communities for many years to come."
Cohen has coached primarily on the defensive side of the football. He helped change the culture of Bowdoin's football program and revamped the Polar Bear defense. In 2010, Bowdoin ranked ninth out of 10 teams in the NESCAC in total defense (yards allowed per game). Last year the Polar Bears improved to second place in total defense under Cohen.
He was also defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Bucknell University from 2007 to 2009 (serving as interim head coach in January 2010) and defensive line coach for the Bison from 1995 to 2000. Prior to his second stint at Bucknell, Cohen was defensive line coach for Columbia University from 2005 to 2007, which had the Ivy League's top scoring defense in 2006. He was recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach for Fordham University from 2003 to 2005.
A 1993 graduate of Marist College, Cohen received a master's degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1994. He served as a graduate assistant defensive line coach at Stony Brook in 1993 and 1994 and was defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator from 2000 to 2003. The 2002 team ranked second in the country in scoring defense and finished with a record of 8-2.
"My experience is on the defensive side of the ball, but I know the types of things that offenses do that create problems for the defense," Cohen said. "We will build from that base to create an effective offense at Hamilton."
With experience coaching in three of this country's most academically prestigious conferences in the NESCAC, the Ivy League and the Patriot League, Hind said Cohen fully understands the role of athletics in a college setting.
Cohen and his wife Bridget are the parents of 9-year-old Seth and 5-year-old Kyle.
