APPLETON, Wis. -- Dallas Dean and Robert Dennis have joined the Lawrence University football staff of new head coach Adam Gonzaga, Director of Athletics Jason Imperati announced today.
    Dean will guide the offensive line, and Dennis will serve as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Both men bring qualities to the program that will help Lawrence excel on and off the field, Gonzaga said.      
    "I believe Robert's mentorship will help our quarterbacks grow as leaders and decision-makers and, more importantly, competitors. I believe he is a master of balancing creativity with discipline in the offensive game plan," Gonzaga said.
    "Dallas is a tireless worker who believes success starts up front. He's committed to developing not just better linemen, but better young men."
    Dennis comes to Lawrence with extensive college and prep coaching experience.     
    A native of California, Dennis had great success coaching at several California high schools before jumping to the college ranks. Before coming to Lawrence, Dennis served as the running backs coach and offensive coordinator at Missouri Valley College. Prior to that, he was the running backs coach at Washington University in St. Louis, where he helped the Bears win titles in both the Southern Athletic Association and University Athletic Association. The Bears also played in the NCAA Division III playoffs during Dennis' time with the team. Dennis began his college coaching career as an assistant at Shasta College and later coached at Gavilan College.
    A 2015 graduate of Missouri Valley College, Dennis earned a bachelor's degree in history and also earned a Master of Legal Studies degree from WashU in 2023. 
    "I could not be more excited to be here at Lawrence," Dennis said. "Coach Gonzaga believes in my vision of what we can become and has provided me this tremendous opportunity to make it a reality. We are going to put an exciting, innovative offense on the field. And I truly believe we will shock the Midwest Conference this season."
    Dean comes to Lawrence from Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent six seasons. Dean coached the offensive line at Mount St. Joseph and helped the team put together a sparking record. Competing in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, Mount St. Joseph went 27-3 over the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons and collected three consecutive league titles. Mount St. Joseph also participated in the NCAA Division III playoffs each of the last three seasons.
    "It was going to take a special place to get me to leave home," Dean said. "Lawrence University is that special place. They have everything you need here to be successful. The facilities are world class, the stadium is as nice as it gets in D3, the administration is supporting us and Appleton is an amazing city."
    A graduate of Marshall University, Dean got his start in the world of college football by serving as a student manager for two years with the Thundering Herd. After working under acclaimed offensive line coach Alex Mirabal at Marshall, Dean then moved to Mount St. Joseph in 2019. 
    Lawrence opens its season September 6 when the Vikings host Martin Luther College in a nonconference contest on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.