Curran accepts Holy Cross job; Merrimack moving quickly to hire new head coach

Dan Curran accepted the head football coach job at Holy Cross on Friday.

Curran spent the last 11 seasons at Merrimack and leaves the program as the all-time wins leader. Curran led the program through its transition to D-I FCS, and the Merrimack program has been in the defacto NEC Championship game in each of the last two seasons.

"Over the past decade, Dan has been a tremendous leader and program builder," Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeremy Gibson said in a statement. "He has developed Merrimack football into an outstanding Division I FCS program and we thank him for his commitment, service and dedication over the last decade."

Gibson named associate head coach and defensive coordinator Mike Gennetti the interim head coach.

Merrimack is expected to move quickly to fill the position, according to sources. Former Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney stepped down on Dec. 7 to take the head job at James Madison, and Curran was hired eight days later.

Merrimack will move even quicker. The transfer portal is currently open, and National Signing Day is Wednesday.

According to sources, several high-level FCS coordinators have reached out and are talking with Merrimack about the position, including at least two whose teams were in the FCS semifinals this season.

Gennetti is also expected to be a strong candidate for the job. He has been with the program for 19 seasons.

Gennetti's defense was one of the best in the FCS last season. The Warriors were the No. 1 team in the nation on third downs (22.8% conversion rate against), and they were No. 4 in the nation in defensive first downs. The Warriors were No. 5 in the country in passing defense and overall defense, No. 35 in rushing defense, No. 24 in points allowed per game, No. 31 in sacks, and No. 37 in turnovers.

All of those rankings are out of 122 FCS programs.