Following the departure of Todd Cooley – the winningest coach in Delta State history – the Statesmen are looking to lose no momentum by bringing in David Dean to lead the program, the university announcing his hire on Friday afternoon. Dean is widely considered one of the best coaches in Division II history.
Dean has more than 35 years of coaching experience, including over two decades as a head coach, and last served on the collegiate level when he was head coach of West Georgia from 2017-23. While in Carrollton, Dean landed the Wolves in the DII playoffs three times across six seasons. His record was 48-20 there.
But what Dean is most known for is his time at Valdosta State, where he was head coach from 2007-15 and guided the Blazers to six Division II playoff appearances and national championships in 2007 and 2012. Credited with helping build a perennial powerhouse, Dean finished at Valdosta State with a 79-27 record as head coach. He had served as the Blazers’ offensive coordinator before being promoted, helping the team to a national title in 2004.
Across his time as head coach at West Georgia and Valdosta State, Dean saw 12 players sign NFL contracts.
Dean was the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Division I FBS Georgia Southern in 2016 after leaving Valdosta State. After resigning from West Georgia, he spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons as the head coach at Lanier County High School in Georgia.
He was named Division II coach of the year four times with honors coming from the American Football Coaches Association, American Football Weekly, and Schutt Sports. He was also the Gulf South Conference’s co-coach of the year in 2010.
“I am really excited about this new opportunity,” Dean said. “Delta State has long been a staple in what I believe to be the best Division II football conference in the country. I know the type of athletes that are currently there and the caliber of athlete we can bring in to continue the great tradition of Statesmen football.”
“David Dean is a great addition to our Delta State coaching staff,” Delta State athletic director Mike Kinnison added. “His record speaks for itself, and his experience in the Gulf South Conference and NCAA competition will be an asset to the continued progress of our football program. He is highly respected in college football circles and will continue to instill the proper values in our young men.”
Dean will assume his duties as Delta State head coach immediately. He will be officially introduced during a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m.