Denison University football is enjoying a renaissance, and the artist behind it is Jack Hatem, who completed his 15th season as head coach in 2024.
Hatem ranks second all-time in wins at Denison and boasts a career record of 92-50 (.648). He’s produced winning seasons in 12 consecutive years, including two North Coast Athletic Conference titles (2018, 2019), and an NCAA playoff appearance (2018).
The Big Red finished the 2024 season with a 6-4 record, going 6-2 in conference play for a third-place finish. Three of the four losses came to ranked opponents, including a 38-30 defeat to Alma College in the home opener. Denison's season was highlighted by road victories over Wittenberg, Wooster, and Ohio Wesleyan in conference play. Denison had a pair of players earn major recognition from the NCAC as first-year quarterback Tyler Green was named Newcomer of the Year and senior kicker/punter Daniel Cunningham garnered Special Teams Player of the Year recognition. Meanwhile, running back Trey Fabrocini became a four-time All-NCAC honoree. Fabrocini finished his career with 4,475 rushing yards and 59 rushing touchdowns – both are program records. During a Senior Day win over Oberlin, Fabrocini surpassed Chris Spriggs as Denison's all-time leading rusher. Spriggs’ total of 4,248 yards had stood since 1986.
In 2023, the Big Red won their final four games to finish the season 7-3 overall and tie for second place in the NCAC standings (6-2) for a second straight year. Denison had 15 players named all-conference with four earning all-region honors. The Big Red were driven by a prolific offense that tallied 35-plus points five times and saw Fabrocini lead the conference in rushing (1,402 yards) and scoring (120 points). Receiver Josh Aiello scored at least one receiving touchdown in each of the first nine games and broke the Denison record with 15 receiving touchdowns in a single season – tying him for the fourth-most receiving TDs in NCAC history. On the other side of the ball, Denison ranked second in the conference in total defense.
The Big Red finished their 2022 season 8-2 overall and 6-2 in the NCAC, marking the third time in the previous four full seasons Denison reached the eight-win plateau. Thirteen players were named All-NCAC, including five on the first-team. The Big Red also placed a program-record five players on the D3football.com All-Region 4 Team. Fabrocini finished the year ranked second among all Division III players in rushing touchdowns (20), and total touchdowns (22), and was sixth in total rushing yards (1,303). Hatem moved into second place all-time in wins at Denison with 79, surpassing the mark of 76 wins by Walter Livingston (1911-1926). Only Keith Piper (200 wins from 1954-1992) has more Denison victories, and no other coach at Denison has reached the 50-win milestone faster.
In 2021, Denison finished 6-4 overall and 6-3 in the NCAC, which was tied for fourth place. The Big Red had 14 all-conference players, led by six first-teamers. Three players earned all-region selection.
The 2020 fall season was canceled due to the pandemic. The Big Red were able to play two football games in the spring of 2021. They defeated rival Ohio Wesleyan, 38-37, as senior Pat Kramer kicked a game-winning field goal with seconds left on the clock. They closed out the spring with an exhibition game against Case Western Reserve University.
Hatem’s promotion to head coach prior to the 2010 season ushered in a new era of success for Denison football. From 2015 to 2019, the Big Red had five straight seasons with at least seven victories, and went 38-13 overall with two NCAC championships and an NCAA playoff appearance in 2018.
In 2019, the Big Red finished with an overall record of 8-2, marking the program's third eight-win season since 2016. Denison also captured a share of the conference championship for the second year in a row. It boasted 16 All-NCAC selections, including NCAC Offensive Player of the Year, All-American, and Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist, Alex Minton. Minton broke the single-season rushing record with 1,550 yards. He also ended the regular season ranked fourth in the nation in rushing yards, seventh in rushing touchdowns (18) and third in total touchdowns (21).
In 2018 the Big Red enjoyed a breakthrough campaign that saw them go 8-2 in the regular season and win the program's first NCAC championship since 1986. The Big Red received the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs, marking Denison's first postseason berth in 33 years. The 2018 season was highlighted by a 34-10 victory over No. 22 Wabash and six straight wins to close out the schedule. Senior quarterback Canaan Gebele was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year and was a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which is presented annually to the top player in Division III football. The offense set new program marks for points (437), points per game (39.7), touchdowns (60), first downs (262), total offense (5,000), all-purpose yards (5,974), and total plays (805).
In 2016, the Big Red went 8-2, highlighted by the program's first win over Wittenberg since 1989. Hatem was named the NCAC Coach of the Year.
Prior to becoming head coach in 2010, Hatem spent five seasons at Denison as an assistant, serving as defensive coordinator for the final three seasons of that stint. In 2012, Hatem and his staff were asked to coach in the Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl in Columbus, Ohio. His South squad defeated the North, 21-7.
The Lancaster, Ohio native spent 13 years as a high school football head coach, twice earning Ohio High School Football Coach of the Year honors.
Hatem graduated from the University of Rio Grande in 1982, earning his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. He also holds a master’s degree in physical education from Ohio University (1992).
In addition to his accomplishments on the football field, Hatem also had considerable success on the baseball diamond. A former baseball standout at Fisher Catholic High in Lancaster, Hatem served as head baseball coach at Rio Grande for three seasons, shortly after graduation. In 1991, he led Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus to its second state baseball championship.
Promoted to associate professor of Physical Education in 2023, Hatem resides in the nearby Buckeye Lake region. He has two grown sons, A.J. and Ryan.
For a complete list of all the conference, regional and national honors earned by Jack Hatem’s players, please visit the Denison football record book.
