March 2, 2011
PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University head football coach Jerry Schmitt announced today that Pittsburgh native Gary Dunn, who served as offensive coordinator for 11 of his final 14 seasons at Morehead State, has been hired to fill the same role at DU.
Dunn, who also worked with the offensive line at Morehead State, coached three All-Americans and 21 first team All-Pioneer Football League players, in guiding an Eagles offense that regularly ranked among the nation's Football Championship Subdivision leaders in numerous NCAA statistical categories.
In 2000, MSU led the nation in both scoring and total offense. The 2005, Eagles ranked 12th in total offense (433 ypg.) and 18th in scoring offense (33.9) and last season Morehead finished 10th nationally in passing offense at 270 yards per game.
"I have known Gary for a number of years both professionally and personally," said Schmitt, who just completed his sixth season at Duquesne. "He is a great fit for our program because of his extensive experience, teaching ability, concern for student-athletes and ability to recruit at this level. He has earned a reputation as an excellent football coach and on top of that is a high-quality person. We are happy to have Gary join us as we prepare for the 2011 season."
Dunn attended Pittsburgh's Seton-La Salle High School where he played for former Dukes head coach Greg Gattuso. He then went on the California University of Pennsylvania where he was a four-year starter and all-conference performer at center. He began his coaching career at Cal starting as a student assistant in 1994 and finishing as a graduate assistant in 1997.
Dunn went from Cal to Morehead State as offensive line/tight ends coach and also served as special teams coordinator. He assumed offensive coordinator responsibilities prior to the 2000 season. In his first two years at MSU, the Eagles put together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1970 & 1971. He was part of a 2002 coaching staff that helped produce a school record nine wins (9-3-0).
His recruiting area while at Morehead State included southwest Pennsylvania, southwest Ohio and central Kentucky. Among the three All-Americans he coached was Pittsburgh Schenley High School product David Dinkins who set or tied 19 school records at MSU from 1998-00.
Dunn earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1995 and completed his master's in geography and regional planning in 1997, both from California, Pa.
He and his wife, Melissa, have one daughter, Sydney.
Dunn replaces Niel Loebig who, with his wife, relocated to Florida following the 2010 season.
