BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania – Following extensive research, Lehigh has named Kevin Cahill the 30th head football coach in program history. A coaching veteran with more than 20 years of experience, Cahill comes to Lehigh after 10 seasons at Yale University, where he was on the coaching staff for three Ivy League championship teams and supervised one of the best offensive units in the country.
“I am deeply grateful and very impressed with the work of our search committee and appreciate the many other people at Lehigh who have committed to supporting our search and evaluation processes,” said Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett. ’76. “The search process was executed carefully, taking into account feedback from our team prior to the search and from our staff throughout the evaluation process. I consider Kevin to be a very talented individual, successful but with the down to earth, a strategic thinker and a coach who our players will respect and find trustworthy and inspiring. I look forward to welcoming Kevin and his family to Lehigh and working with and supporting him to meet program priorities. .
Since 2018, Cahill has served as Yale’s associate head coach and offensive coordinator, working directly with quarterbacks. In 2022, the Bulldogs went 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the Ivy League to win their third Ivy crown in the past five seasons. Yale boasted the highest-ranked offense in the Ivy League and ranked in the FCS top 25 in total offense for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
“Lehigh is more than a football team, it’s a family with a football program,” Cahill said. “Generations have made this program an organization poised to win. This program celebrates student-athletes, values dedication, and produces young people ready to make an impact when they graduate. Thanks to President Helble, Joe Sterrett, Sue Troyan and the hiring committee for this opportunity to be part of Lehigh’s legacy. Now let’s get to work!”
Under Cahill, Yale quarterback Nolan Grooms thrived in his first full season as a starter. Grooms threw for 1,660 yards and 14 touchdowns and added 745 yards and six rushing touchdowns to win the Asa S. Bushnell Cup as Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year.
Cahill originally came to Yale as special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2012 and took over quarterbacks in 2014 while also serving as assistant head coach and passing play coordinator. His highly touted offense helped Yale win Ivy League titles in 2017 and 2019 in addition to the 2022 championship. Yale had the No. 1 offense in the Ivy League in three of Cahill’s 10 years with the personal. Since 2014, Yale has ranked in the top 25 nationally for total offense five times and has ranked in the top 25 for scoring offense four times.
In addition to Grooms, Cahill has mentored 2019 Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year Kurt Rawlings, who is Yale’s all-time leading passer, 2018 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Griffin O’ Connor and Morgan Roberts the No. 2 setter in Yale History.
While at Yale, Cahill also served as a member of the Yale Athletics Cultural House Connection Subcommittee.
“Kevin was quite impressive among a very strong field of applicants, which made the final decision very difficult for the search team,” said Lehigh assistant athletic director Sue Troyan, who led the search committee. “Ultimately, proof of his strong and lasting relationships with team members, his fresh eyes and detailed vision of our program, his fundamental competence as a teacher and youth developer and his optimism and passion for the people he met and the opportunity at Lehigh influenced the final decision.The breadth and diversity of his experiences will be invaluable as he engages with our team, our alumni, our university and our community of Lehigh Valley.
Cahill moved to Yale after four seasons on the staff at the University of Maine, including three as special teams coordinator, while also coaching wide receivers and running backs during his tenure. He helped the Black Bears to two FCS playoffs and mentored six performers from all conferences, including All-Americans Jared Turcotte and Jhamal Fluellen.
During the 2006 and 2007 campaigns, Cahill coached at Murray State University, where he coached wide receivers and served as the runner recruiting coordinator. He has mentored two student-athletes from all conferences.
Cahill’s first Division I experience was at the University of Tennessee-Martin in 2004 and 2005, where he helped the program record its first winning season in 13 years. He began his coaching career at Maine Maritime Academy in 2001 before returning to his alma mater, Springfield College for two seasons.
As a student-athlete, Cahill was a starter for three years at quarterback and a starting pitcher for three years on the Springfield College baseball team. He helped lead Springfield College to two NCAA playoff appearances and was twice recognized as ECAC New England Division III Player of the Year.
A native of New York Mills, NY, Cahill graduated from Springfield College in 2001 with a degree in physical education. He added a master’s degree in sports administration from Springfield in 2004.
Cahill and his wife Carah have three children: sons Patrick and Thomas and a daughter Elizabeth.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT KEVIN CAHILL
“Kevin has been one of my closest friends for over a decade. I’m thrilled to see him take this opportunity. He’s a fantastic coach, a great person and a great mentor to young men. Lehigh has makes a great hire.” – Joe Conlin, Head Coach, Fordham University
“Toni and I are extremely excited for Kevin and Carah. Kevin has been with us since we came to Yale 10 seasons ago and has been instrumental in our success. He is an amazing football coach and mentor and an even better person. I’m proud of Kevin and so excited for him and the future of Lehigh.” – Tony Reno, Head Coach, Yale University
“Kevin Cahill is a teacher, mentor and competitor. Kevin had a profound impact on my career and it was an honor to play for him and coach alongside him. He has high standards for himself and those around him. Kevin gets the best out of his players because he cares about them as people first. I’m very excited for Kevin, his family and the football at Lehigh!” – Jordan Stevens, Head Coach, University of Maine
THE KEVIN CAHILL FILE
Birth: December 2, 1978
Wife: Kara
Children: Sons: Patrick and Thomas; Daughter: Elizabeth
High School: New York Mills (NY)
College: Springfield College 2001 (BS – Physical Education)
Springfield College 2004 (ME – Athletic Administration)
college coaching resume
2018-2022 Yale University, associate head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach
2014-2017 Yale University, assistant head coach, passing games coordinator, quarterbacks coach
2012-2013 Yale University, Special Teams Coordinator, Wide Receiver Coach
2009-2011 University of Maine, Special Teams Coordinator, Wide Receiver Coach
2008 University of Maine, running backs coach
2006-2007 Murray State University, wide receivers coach, recruiting coordinator
2004-2005 University of Tennessee-Martin, wide receivers coach
2002-2003 Springfield College – Quarterbacks Coach, Graduate Assistant
2001 Maine Maritime Academy – Quarterbacks, Fullbacks, Wide Receiver Coach