Current John Carroll Vice President of Athletics Brian Polian ’97 has been appointed as the 21st Head Football Coach for the university. The announcement comes after former head coach Jeff Behrman departed for Bucknell University, where he will serve as head coach for the Bison.

Brian Polian enters his third year serving as the vice president of athletics in the 2025-26 academic year. Under Polian’s leadership, John Carroll successfully transitioned conferences from the OAC to the NCAC and added field hockey as the 25th varsity sport, set to start competition in Fall 2026.

Prior to John Carroll, Polian served as the associate athletics director/general manager of football at Louisiana State University. A few other notable roles for Polian include special teams coordinator for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, head coach for the Nevada Wolfpack and special teams coordinator/tight ends coach for Texas A&M.

The new announcement made on Jan. 20 brings significant excitement to the home of the Blue Streaks. “I am pleased to announce that Brian Polian ’97 has been appointed as John Carroll University’s 21st Head Football Coach, effective immediately. In addition to leading our football program, Brian will continue to serve as Vice President for Athletics,” JCU President Al Miciak said in a written statement.

In his written statement, President Miciak continued, “Brian takes the helm of a program with incredible momentum. Following a historic season that included an NCAC Championship, a landmark victory over Mount Union, and the Blue Streaks’ third-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Semifinals, the foundation for success has never been stronger.”