Sean Cronin - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Sean Cronin

Title:
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Phone:
@CoachSeanCronin (X)
Year at CMU:
2nd year at CMU
Hometown:
Detroit, Mich.
Alma Mater/Year:
Georgetown (Ky.)/2002
Experience:
24th year in coaching

A 24-year college coaching veteran, Sean Cronin enters his second season at Central Michigan as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach.

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 10 bowl games, won two FBS national championships and three conference titles.

In his first season at Central Michigan in 2025, Cronin propelled the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years with a 7-6 overall record, a 7-3 mark against non-Power 4 opponents, and a 5-3 MAC record. Utilizing an experienced play-making defense, Central Michigan allowed just 17.5 points per game in its eight MAC games and achieved top 30 national rankings in red zone defense (No. 10), defensive touchdowns (No. 10), and turnovers gained (No. 26). In each win, CMU held each of its opponents to 20 points or less, forced at least one turnover in all 13 games, and finished the regular season with a plus-8 turnover margin (20-12), ranking among the nation's best. Two of his defensive players earned All-America honors including defensive end Michael Heldman and linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski. Heldman and Kwiatkowski were First Team All-MAC picks, and linebacker Dakota Cochran was Second Team. Kwiatkowski led the Chippewas with 117 tackles (52 solo) with three forced fumbles and three interceptions. Heldman had 10.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, and eight quarterback hurries; Cochran added 82 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.

Before joining the CMU staff, Cronin coached the Army West Point’s defensive line for three seasons (2022-24). In 2024, Cronin helped lead Army West Point to an 11-1 overall record, No. 22 national ranking in the College Football Playoff poll, and an American Athletic Conference championship in Army’s league debut with a 35-14 win over Tulane in the AAC title game. The Black Knights accepted an Independence Bowl invitation. His players, Kyle Lewis and Cody Winokur, served as team captains in 2024.

In 2023, Cronin’s unit pushed Army’s defense to No. 20 nationally in red zone defense. Kyle Lewis contributed 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack, while sophomore Jack Latore emerged as a pass rusher with 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. In 2022, Cronin developed a defensive front led by senior Kwabena Bonsu, who collected 47 tackles (18 solo), 2.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Bonsu earned College Football Network Second-Team All-Independent honors. Austin Hill was a team captain.

Cronin joined the Army West Point staff after two seasons (2020-21) as Colorado State’s linebacker coach. His defensive front ranked No. 7 nationally in fewest total yards allowed and landed in the NCAA's top 30 for fewest total opponent points allowed. Colorado State also tied for No. 17 nationally in sacks in 2021. Cronin coached Cam'Ron Carter to 100 tackles, six sacks, nine tackles for loss, and an interception, earning Phil Steele All-Mountain West honors. Dequan Jackson posted 84 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and Jackson earned second-team All-Mountain West honors under Cronin.

Cronin also worked at South Florida, coaching outside linebackers (2019) and defensive tackles (2017-18). His connection with former USF head coach Charlie Strong originated from their Florida tenure during the 2006 and 2008 National Championships, when Cronin was a graduate assistant. Commanding a youthful outside linebacker unit for the Bulls—all two-deep positions filled by sophomores or freshmen—Cronin molded Dwayne Boyles into the leading tackler (75) and tackles for loss leader (12.5). Greg Reaves finished as the team's No. 4 tackler, and sack leader (4.0), and runner-up for tackles for loss (10.0). In 2017, Cronin’s defensive tackles unit powered USF to No. 5 nationally in tackles for loss (8.4 per game) and No. 11 in sacks (3.00 per game). The defensive line elevated USF’s defense to the nation’s top 25 in six statistical categories, improving from No. 120 in total defense (482.0) and No. 92 in scoring (31.6) to No. 37 (359.8) and No. 41 (21.5), respectively.

Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat logged a career-best 66 tackles, 6.0 sacks, and 10.5 tackles for loss. Bruce Hector led with 7.0 sacks and was ranked second with 13.0 tackles for loss. Senat earned first-team all-conference honors, 2017 Sports Illustrated All-Bowl Team, and an East-West Shrine Game invite. Hector was a second-team all-conference pick and received an NFLPA Collegiate Bowl invite. Senat was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft; Hector was signed as a free agent.

From 2013-16, Cronin worked as Marshall’s defensive ends coach alongside CSU defensive coordinator Chuck Heater. He led the team to 127 quarterback sacks in four seasons. Cronin helped Marshall achieve three 10-win seasons, three bowl victories, and a 36-17 overall record. In 2013, the Herd went 10-4, beating Maryland in the Military Bowl. In 2014, Marshall ended 13-1, won a league title, defeated Northern Illinois in the Boca Raton Bowl, and secured a postseason AP top 25 ranking. In 2015, Marshall went 10-3 and won the St. Petersburg Bowl. Cronin coached Gary Thompson to Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors in 2013; Thompson posted 19 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in his career, including nine sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hurries in 2015. Cronin also coached Ryan Bee to Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors in 2015 with 59 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. Bee totaled 8.5 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss in his first two seasons under Cronin. Arnold Blackmon earned C-USA second-team honors at defensive end in 2014.

Cronin served three stints at Marshall, twice under head coach Doc Holliday. He previously led the defensive line under Holliday in 2010 and worked as Marshall’s graduate assistant in 2005. Under Cronin’s guidance, Vinny Curry, a future second-round Philadelphia Eagles draft pick and one of Marshall's top defensive players, delivered a breakout year with 12 sacks. Cronin also developed Alex Bazzie, who sustained an NFL and CFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals.

From 2011-12, Cronin served as Temple’s defensive line coach during Steve Addazio’s two seasons, helping Morkeith Brown earn third-team all-conference honors in 2011. The Owls’ defense led the league in five categories and ranked No. 3 nationally in scoring defense.

Prior to his second Marshall stint, Cronin spent 2009 as The Citadel’s defensive line coach and worked three years (2006-08) as a graduate assistant at Florida. There, he helped the Gators win two SEC Championships, two national titles, and developed eight NFL Draft picks.

Cronin began his collegiate playing career as a defensive end at Cincinnati before transferring to Georgetown College (Ky.). He played defensive end his first season and defensive tackle the next two, helping Georgetown win two NAIA Division II national titles (2000 and 2001). He earned All-American and all-conference honors in 2002.

Cronin earned his bachelor's degree in history with a minor from Georgetown in 2002. After graduation, he interned with the defensive line and strength and conditioning staff, then coached linebackers and strong safeties at Clarion University (Pa.) for two seasons while completing his master’s degree in rehabilitative science in 2004.

Cronin is married to Emily Heater. They have three daughters, Grace, Caitlin, and Mary, and one son, Joseph.

THE CRONIN FILE

Birthdate: March 13, 1980
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
Family: Wife Emily, three daughters: Grace, Caitlin, and Mary, son Joseph

Education
Bachelor of Arts, History, Georgetown College (Ky.), 2002
Master of Science, Rehabilitative Science, Clarion University (Pa.), 2004

Coaching Career
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Central Michigan University, 2025-current
Defensive Line Coach, Army West Point, 2002-04
Linebackers Coach, Colorado State University, 2020-21
Outside Linebackers Coach, University of South Florida, 2019
Defensive Tackles Coach, University of South Florida, 2017-18
Defensive Ends Coach, Marshall University 2013-16
Defensive Line Coach, Temple University, 2011-12
Defensive Line Coach, Marshall University, 2010
Defensive Line Coach, The Citadel, 2009
Graduate Assistant, Defensive Coach, University of Florida, 2006-08
Graduate Assistant, Marshall University, 2005
Graduate Assistant, Linebackers/Strong Safeties/Strength & Conditioning, Clarion University (Pa.), 2002-04

Coaching Accomplishments
2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl (Central Michigan) … 2024 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl (Army) … 2018 Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl … 2017 Birmingham Bowl … 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl … 2014 Boca Raton Bowl … 2014 Conference USA Champions … 2014 Conference USA Championship Game … 2013 Military Bowl … 2013 Conference USA Championship Game … 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl … 2008 SEC Championship Game … 2008 National Championship Game … 2008 FBS National Champions … 2007 Capital One Bowl … 2006 SEC Championship Game … 2006 National Championship Game … 2006 FBS National Champions.

Playing Career
Named a Second Team All-American and All-Conference honoree in 2002 … Helped lead Georgetown (Ky.) to two national titles in 2000 and 2001 … Began his playing career as a defensive end at the University of Cincinnati.