Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan Football, Drinkall Names Three Coordinators
1/17/2025 11:00:00 AM | Football
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Jim ChapinDefensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach: Sean CroninSpecial Teams Coordinator: Keith MurphyWelcome Matt Drinkall
Head Coach Matt Drinkall has named Jim Chapin as CMU’s Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach; Sean Cronin is the Chippewas’ new Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach, and Keith Murphy will continue to serve as CMU’s Special Teams Coordinator.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—New Central Michigan Head Football Coach Matt Drinkall has announced the appointment of Jim Chapin as the Chippewas' new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, Sean Cronin as its defensive coordinator/linebackers coach, and Keith Murphy, who has been retained from the previous staff, as Special Teams Coordinator on Friday morning. Central Michigan will announce its additional coaching staff and support staff members in the coming days.
"We are happy to welcome Jim, Sean, and Keith to their respective coordinator roles," Drinkall said. "All three of the coordinators are of the highest character and integrity. All three have ties to the state of Michigan and are some of the hardest-working coaches in the profession. They are all committed to improving the lives of young people. These men will be excellent leaders and mentors as we help develop our student-athletes through their journey at Central Michigan University."
Chapin arrives at Central Michigan with 17 years of coaching experience and success at every stop of his career. He spent the previous three seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Eastern Washington (2022-24) and has worked as the associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of Sioux Falls (2017-21). In three years, Chapin built the EWU offense into a top-10 offensive unit in the FCS. In 2024, the Eagles averaged 442.0 yards per game and 35.8 points per game, which both ranked No. 6 in the nation, while the Eagles' running game ranked No. 5 nationally with a 229.2 yards per game. In 2023, EWU ranked No. 15 nationally in scoring offense (32.3 ppg.) and No. 21 nationally in yards per game (417.6).
At Sioux Falls, Chapin helped guide the NCAA Division II Cougars to an 8-3 overall record, Northern Sun Conference South Division title as his offense averaged 412.8 yards per game, 6.2 yards per play, and 32.5 points per game. Under Chapin, the Cougars had a winning record during all four seasons, earned two NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2017 and 2019, earned a No. 20 national ranking in 2017, and combined for a 32-14 record during his tenure.
A Troy, Mich. native and 2009 Michigan graduate, Chapin has also served stints at UC Davis (2015-16) and Indiana, Pa. (2012-14). Read more about Chapin at this link.
"Coach Chapin is one of the brightest and most efficient offensive minds in college football," Drinkall said. "Born and raised in the state of Michigan, both of his parents are Central Michigan alumni, and he is beyond excited to return home. Coach Chapin's system brings excitement to all 11 positions on the offensive side of the ball. His offenses take care of the football and run the football at an effective rate. He has an outstanding complementary passing attack and is able to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers while fitting within the framework of the game plan."
A 23-year coaching veteran mentoring both linebacker and defensive line units, Cronin joins Drinkall's staff after serving the past three seasons as the defensive line coach at Army West Point. At Army, he helped guide the Black Knights to an 11-2 overall record, No. 22 national ranking in the College Football Playoff poll, an American Athletic Conference championship in the program's first year in the league, and Independence Bowl game berth in 2024. His 2023 Army defense ranked No. 20 nationally in red zone defense and a variety of his players earned all-conference honors.
Prior to his tenure at Army, Cronin previously worked at both Colorado State (2020-21) and South Florida (2017-19). At Colorado State, his defensive front helped the Rams earn a No. 7 national ranking in fewest total yards allowed and ranked among the nation's top-30 in fewest total opponent points allowed. At South Florida, Cronin's defensive line helped the Bulls rank No. 5 in tackles for loss and his unit helped USF's defense finish ranked among the nation's top-25 in six defensive statistical categories.
Known for tough, physical, and efficient play, Cronin has built a career while leading high-performing defensive units. The Detroit, Mich. native has coached on football staffs that have appeared in a combined nine bowl games, won two national FBS championships, and three conference titles. His resume also includes stints at Marshall (2005, 2010, 2013-16), Temple (2011-12), The Citadel (2009), Florida (2006-08), and Clarion, Pa. (2002-04). Read more about Cronin at this link.
"Coach Cronin is an absolute bulldog," Drinkall said. "Born and raised near Detroit, I had the fortune of working with him personally every day for the last three years at Army. Coach Cronin's defenses will embody his personality: intelligent, tough, dynamic, and blue collar. He is an excellent recruiter and culture builder, and he has been recruiting Michigan personally for the last several years."
Murphy will begin his sixth season at Central Michigan as its special teams coordinator. A 28-year coaching veteran, Murphy's CMU special teams units have consistently been ranked among the nation's top groups in a variety of statistics. In 2022, he was a national finalist for the Football Scoop National Special Teams Coordinator of the Year award after the Chippewas led the nation in blocked kicks (seven). Murphy's units and players have enjoyed success on special teams in all areas of play.
Murphy's career includes stops in the NFL, FBS, and FCS coaching levels while mentoring numerous All-Pro, All-American, and all-conference performers. Previously, he has served stints at Florida (2016-19), Southern Illinois (2014-15), New Mexico State (2009-12), the St. Louis Rams (2007-08), Eastern Washington (1999-06), and his alma mater, Washington (1997-99). Read more about Coach Murphy at this link.
"Coach Murphy has one of the best reputations in college football," Drinkall said. "He brings invaluable experience in the state of Michigan at CMU. Coach Murphy is a dynamic recruiter and an incredibly intelligent coach. When I had my one-on-one player meetings upon being hired, it was clear how big of an impact he continues to make on the lives of our players. We are incredibly fortunate to have him as a member of the Chippewa family."
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"We are happy to welcome Jim, Sean, and Keith to their respective coordinator roles," Drinkall said. "All three of the coordinators are of the highest character and integrity. All three have ties to the state of Michigan and are some of the hardest-working coaches in the profession. They are all committed to improving the lives of young people. These men will be excellent leaders and mentors as we help develop our student-athletes through their journey at Central Michigan University."
Chapin arrives at Central Michigan with 17 years of coaching experience and success at every stop of his career. He spent the previous three seasons as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Eastern Washington (2022-24) and has worked as the associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of Sioux Falls (2017-21). In three years, Chapin built the EWU offense into a top-10 offensive unit in the FCS. In 2024, the Eagles averaged 442.0 yards per game and 35.8 points per game, which both ranked No. 6 in the nation, while the Eagles' running game ranked No. 5 nationally with a 229.2 yards per game. In 2023, EWU ranked No. 15 nationally in scoring offense (32.3 ppg.) and No. 21 nationally in yards per game (417.6).
At Sioux Falls, Chapin helped guide the NCAA Division II Cougars to an 8-3 overall record, Northern Sun Conference South Division title as his offense averaged 412.8 yards per game, 6.2 yards per play, and 32.5 points per game. Under Chapin, the Cougars had a winning record during all four seasons, earned two NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2017 and 2019, earned a No. 20 national ranking in 2017, and combined for a 32-14 record during his tenure.
A Troy, Mich. native and 2009 Michigan graduate, Chapin has also served stints at UC Davis (2015-16) and Indiana, Pa. (2012-14). Read more about Chapin at this link.
"Coach Chapin is one of the brightest and most efficient offensive minds in college football," Drinkall said. "Born and raised in the state of Michigan, both of his parents are Central Michigan alumni, and he is beyond excited to return home. Coach Chapin's system brings excitement to all 11 positions on the offensive side of the ball. His offenses take care of the football and run the football at an effective rate. He has an outstanding complementary passing attack and is able to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers while fitting within the framework of the game plan."
A 23-year coaching veteran mentoring both linebacker and defensive line units, Cronin joins Drinkall's staff after serving the past three seasons as the defensive line coach at Army West Point. At Army, he helped guide the Black Knights to an 11-2 overall record, No. 22 national ranking in the College Football Playoff poll, an American Athletic Conference championship in the program's first year in the league, and Independence Bowl game berth in 2024. His 2023 Army defense ranked No. 20 nationally in red zone defense and a variety of his players earned all-conference honors.
Prior to his tenure at Army, Cronin previously worked at both Colorado State (2020-21) and South Florida (2017-19). At Colorado State, his defensive front helped the Rams earn a No. 7 national ranking in fewest total yards allowed and ranked among the nation's top-30 in fewest total opponent points allowed. At South Florida, Cronin's defensive line helped the Bulls rank No. 5 in tackles for loss and his unit helped USF's defense finish ranked among the nation's top-25 in six defensive statistical categories.
Known for tough, physical, and efficient play, Cronin has built a career while leading high-performing defensive units. The Detroit, Mich. native has coached on football staffs that have appeared in a combined nine bowl games, won two national FBS championships, and three conference titles. His resume also includes stints at Marshall (2005, 2010, 2013-16), Temple (2011-12), The Citadel (2009), Florida (2006-08), and Clarion, Pa. (2002-04). Read more about Cronin at this link.
"Coach Cronin is an absolute bulldog," Drinkall said. "Born and raised near Detroit, I had the fortune of working with him personally every day for the last three years at Army. Coach Cronin's defenses will embody his personality: intelligent, tough, dynamic, and blue collar. He is an excellent recruiter and culture builder, and he has been recruiting Michigan personally for the last several years."
Murphy will begin his sixth season at Central Michigan as its special teams coordinator. A 28-year coaching veteran, Murphy's CMU special teams units have consistently been ranked among the nation's top groups in a variety of statistics. In 2022, he was a national finalist for the Football Scoop National Special Teams Coordinator of the Year award after the Chippewas led the nation in blocked kicks (seven). Murphy's units and players have enjoyed success on special teams in all areas of play.
Murphy's career includes stops in the NFL, FBS, and FCS coaching levels while mentoring numerous All-Pro, All-American, and all-conference performers. Previously, he has served stints at Florida (2016-19), Southern Illinois (2014-15), New Mexico State (2009-12), the St. Louis Rams (2007-08), Eastern Washington (1999-06), and his alma mater, Washington (1997-99). Read more about Coach Murphy at this link.
"Coach Murphy has one of the best reputations in college football," Drinkall said. "He brings invaluable experience in the state of Michigan at CMU. Coach Murphy is a dynamic recruiter and an incredibly intelligent coach. When I had my one-on-one player meetings upon being hired, it was clear how big of an impact he continues to make on the lives of our players. We are incredibly fortunate to have him as a member of the Chippewa family."
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
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