KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Aug. 8, 2022) – Long-time U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Football Offensive Coordinator Jameson Croall has been named the 15th Head Coach of the Mariners, fourth-year Athletic Director Kristofer Schnatz announced on Monday. Croall officially took on the new role the first week of August 2022.
 
"Coach Croall has had an impressive career at #OURAcademy over the past 10 years as the O.C.," said Schnatz, "He has been an outstanding leader both on and off the field. We are excited about his vision for the football program and the overall midshipman-athlete experience."
 
Croall assumed all duties for the program back in November 2021, after previous head coach Mike Toop '77 coached his final game in the New England Bowl. Toop officially retired from the Academy the last week of July.
 
USMMA Sports Network's Matias Weilmann recently sat down with Coach Croall for the latest edition of Coach's Corner. You can watch that interview at this link.
 
Croall is entering his 11th season at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy this 2022-23 academic year. During his first 10 years at KP he served as the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach, helping lead the Merchant Marine offense to numerous top-25 national statistical rankings in recent years, including finishing the 2021 season ranked 16th or better among all Division III programs in seven key offensive categories – first in Rushing Offense, fourth in Third Down Offense, seventh in Scoring and Fourth Down Offense, eighth in Total Offense, 14th in First Down Offense and 16th in Red Zone Offense.
 
The Mariners ended their most recent campaign with a 9-1 record, with the nine wins being the most in a single season in academy history. They also received 28 votes in the final National Top-25 Coaches Poll of the year.
 
Under Croall's tutelage, quarterback Ian Blankenship '21 was named a semifinalist for the 2021 Gagliardi Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. Croall also produced an All-American in offensive lineman Randy Ruple '24 (2021 D3football.com Fourth Team) and has had a total of nine offensive players selected to various All-Region Teams in nine full seasons, including two major award winners in 2021 – Blankenship, who was named the Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year for D3football.com and wide receiver Talsen Smith '25, who was named the ECAC Offensive Rookie of the Year.
 
In terms of All-Conference accolades since 2012, Croall has manufactured three major award winners in fullback Wiley Martin '19 (Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2015), Smith (NEWMAC Rookie of the Year in 2021) and Blankenship (NEWMAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2021). There have been a total of 38 Mariners who earned All-Conference recognition during Croall's tenure as O.C. (13 First Team, 20 Second Team and five All-Liberty League Honorable Mentions).
 
In addition to his coaching duties, Croall contributes to the academy in multiple facets including teaching courses in self-defense, working event management, serving as a faculty representative on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and contributing to the strategic planning process.
 
No stranger to the Mariners' offensive scheme, the triple option, Croall both played in it and coached it at his alma mater Springfield College. He served as a graduate assistant coach at Springfield for two seasons (2010-11), where he coached an All-American at the quarterback position, competed in the postseason and had the opportunity to coach in the "DIII Senior Classic," an All-Star Game in Salem, Va.
 
Prior to that, Croall spent a year working as the Offensive Line Coach at Maine Maritime Academy. While there, the Mariners had their best season in school history – leading the nation in rushing yards per game, winning the NEFC Conference Championship, receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and having three offensive lineman named to the All-Conference Team.
 
"It is an incredible honor to be named the 15th Head Football Coach at The United States Merchant Marine Academy," commented Croall. "I am grateful to Kris Schnatz, our Administration and Coach Toop for the support in the selection process. #OURAcademy is one of rich tradition, unique opportunities, and tremendous people. I look forward to helping our midshipmen grow both on and off the field for years to come."
 
A 2009 graduate of Springfield, Croall played for four years as an offensive lineman for the Pride while earning his bachelor's degree in physical education. He graduated with his master's degree from Springfield in 2020. Croall is a native of East Longmeadow, Mass., and currently lives in Bayside, N.Y.
 
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