The John Carroll football team will have a new head coach in 2026. On Jan. 1, it was confirmed by JCU athletic director Brian Polian that Behrman was leaving his post to become the head coach at Bucknell, an FCS program two levels up from Division III. A Zoom team meeting was scheduled for 11 a.m. o n Jan. 1. Polian said the search for Behrman’s replacement will focus on candidates with JCU ties. “We have great momentum right now and we want someone that knows and understands (John) Carroll to carry it forward,” said Polian. “We will find the right solution but this will not drag.” Defensive coordinator Dean Paul will serve as the team’s interim coach during the transition to the next hire. Bucknell is located in Lewisburg, Pa., and has a football history dating to 1883. The Bison won the first-ever Orange Bowl in 1935 against the Miami Hurricanes. Last season, the program was 5-7 and 2-5 in the Patriot League. Behrman leaves the Blue Streaks fresh off a 12-2 season in which the program won the North Coast Athletic Conference in their first year in the league, went 3-1 in the NCAA Division III playoffs and advanced to the semifinal round. JCU bowed out in that stage on Dec. 20 in a 41-21 loss to defending D-III national champion North Central. Included in the Blue Streaks’ playoff run was a dramatic 10-7 win in double overtime against Mount Union in the third round. Behrman accepting a job at the FCS level brings back memories of the last time (before 2025) JCU defeated Mount Union, this time in 2016. During that season, Coach Tom Arth’s team went 12-2 and advanced to the NCAA semifinal round. Included was a 31-28 win at Mount that clinched the Ohio Athletic Conference title. Shortly after that 2016 season, Arth left for FCS Tennessee-Chattanooga. Arth eventually became the head coach at Akron, and is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Steelers. When Behrman, 53, arrived at JCU three years ago, he brought a ton of winning experience to his alma mater. Behrman was 43-20 in six seasons at Union (N.Y.), and then went 8-2 in his first season at JCU. In his second season, the Blue Streaks were 9-3, won a D-III playoff game before bowing out against Mount Union in the next round. That season set the stage for their 12-2 campaign in 2025. Behrman was 29-7 in his three seasons as JCU head coach. The timing of Behrman leaving isn’t ideal. When JCU makes its next hire, it will be the university’s third head football coach in five seasons. A question going forward is if any of the coaches on JCU’s staff will follow Behrman to Bucknell, or be considered as the replacement at head coach. JCU offensive coordinator Travis James was Behrman’s coordinator at Union in 2021 and 2022, and has carried that title the last three seasons for the Blue Streaks. Paul joined Behrman’s coaching staff in 2024, and this past season was promoted to lead the defense. Paul’s resume includes 20 years as the head coach at Ohio Northern. Polian said he was unsure of the JCU staff beyond Behrman leaving for Bucknell. ...read more read less