Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sean Dugan Named EMU Football Assistant Coach
3/22/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
Dugan will serve as Eastern’s linebackers coach
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Sean Dugan, a fixture on Eastern's defense staff the past three seasons, has been promoted to the linebackers coach at Eastern Michigan University, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced today, March 22. Since arriving in Ypsilanti, Dugan has steadily assumed expanded responsibilities within the Eagles' defensive staff, beginning as a defensive analyst.
"Coach Dugan came to us as an off-the-field analyst and did a great job," said Creighton. "When analysts were permitted to coach, Sean coached our linebackers and crushed it. He is now our full-time linebackers coach. He has done, and will continue to do, an outstanding job in recruiting and coaching. He is already going into his fourth season - let's go!"
"Extremely grateful to Coach Creighton, Omli, and Teagarden for this opportunity," Dugan added. "EMU has become home for me. It is a special place filled with special people."
He spent 2025 working with the alphas after serving two seasons on the staff as a defensive analyst.
Eastern Michigan's defense flipped the narrative for the 2025 season with a sharp late surge. In the final stretch, the Eagles held Bowling Green to 259 yards, Nov. 8, and Ball State to 225 yards, Nov. 15, the first time since 2018 that EMU has held back-to-back opponents under 260 yards. Furthermore, EMU's defense allowed opponents to throw for more than 160 yards just once in its final six contests of the year.
The improvement was clearly evident in the numbers. Opponents averaged 494.6 yards per game through the first five contests. From Oct. 4 through Nov. 25, that figure dropped to 360.3 yards per game, a 27.2 percent decline. Sacks rose from 0.4 per game early to 2.0 per game over the final seven games. Overall, the defense held opponents to 184.2 passing yards per game, ranking fourth in the MAC and 24th nationally.
Dugan spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons as a senior defensive analyst for the Eagles, primarily assisting with the linebacker unit. In that role, he facilitated position meetings, assisted with weekly defensive game plans, and completed opponent and self-scouting analysis. Dugan also supported special teams preparation and helped organize responsibilities for the program's quality control staff, graduate assistants, and student interns, while contributing to recruiting efforts in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana.
Prior to arriving at Eastern Michigan, Dugan coached the bandit position at Austin Peay State University during the 2022 season. He helped guide the Governors through their inaugural season in the ASUN Conference, where the program finished 7-4 and earned a share of the conference championship. The Governors' defense ranked first in the ASUN in scoring defense, passing defense, total defense, third-down defense, and tackles for loss. The unit also ranked among the national leaders, including fourth in third-down defense, sixth in pass efficiency defense, ninth in yards per play allowed, and 12th in total defense.
Dugan previously spent four seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 2018-21. He served as the program's defensive coordinator, coaching linebackers from 2018 through 2020 and defensive backs in 2021. During his tenure, the Pointers led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in pass defense in 2019, allowing 184.2 yards per game while recording 11 interceptions and holding opponents to a 53.1 completion percentage. The defense also led the WIAC with 25 sacks in 2021 and ranked second in the conference in turnover margin in 2018.
In addition to his on-field duties, Dugan held several leadership roles within the program, including recruiting coordinator, academic coordinator, and compliance coordinator. He also assisted with strength and conditioning and coordinated portions of the special teams units.
Dugan began his collegiate coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at Alvernia University, where he worked with the linebacker unit while assisting with recruiting, practice planning, and film breakdown.
Before entering coaching, Dugan built a decorated playing career at Millersville University from 2014-17. A four-year starter and three-year team captain, he started 38 consecutive games for the Marauders and finished his career with 336 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. Dugan earned First Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors in 2017 after leading the team in tackles, which ranked second in the conference. He also received All-Super Region I recognition and honorable-mention Division II All-America honors that season. As a junior in 2016, he also led the team in tackles and earned Second Team All-PSAC recognition.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Dugan earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Millersville University in 2017.
"Coach Dugan came to us as an off-the-field analyst and did a great job," said Creighton. "When analysts were permitted to coach, Sean coached our linebackers and crushed it. He is now our full-time linebackers coach. He has done, and will continue to do, an outstanding job in recruiting and coaching. He is already going into his fourth season - let's go!"
"Extremely grateful to Coach Creighton, Omli, and Teagarden for this opportunity," Dugan added. "EMU has become home for me. It is a special place filled with special people."
He spent 2025 working with the alphas after serving two seasons on the staff as a defensive analyst.
Eastern Michigan's defense flipped the narrative for the 2025 season with a sharp late surge. In the final stretch, the Eagles held Bowling Green to 259 yards, Nov. 8, and Ball State to 225 yards, Nov. 15, the first time since 2018 that EMU has held back-to-back opponents under 260 yards. Furthermore, EMU's defense allowed opponents to throw for more than 160 yards just once in its final six contests of the year.
The improvement was clearly evident in the numbers. Opponents averaged 494.6 yards per game through the first five contests. From Oct. 4 through Nov. 25, that figure dropped to 360.3 yards per game, a 27.2 percent decline. Sacks rose from 0.4 per game early to 2.0 per game over the final seven games. Overall, the defense held opponents to 184.2 passing yards per game, ranking fourth in the MAC and 24th nationally.
Dugan spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons as a senior defensive analyst for the Eagles, primarily assisting with the linebacker unit. In that role, he facilitated position meetings, assisted with weekly defensive game plans, and completed opponent and self-scouting analysis. Dugan also supported special teams preparation and helped organize responsibilities for the program's quality control staff, graduate assistants, and student interns, while contributing to recruiting efforts in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana.
Prior to arriving at Eastern Michigan, Dugan coached the bandit position at Austin Peay State University during the 2022 season. He helped guide the Governors through their inaugural season in the ASUN Conference, where the program finished 7-4 and earned a share of the conference championship. The Governors' defense ranked first in the ASUN in scoring defense, passing defense, total defense, third-down defense, and tackles for loss. The unit also ranked among the national leaders, including fourth in third-down defense, sixth in pass efficiency defense, ninth in yards per play allowed, and 12th in total defense.
Dugan previously spent four seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 2018-21. He served as the program's defensive coordinator, coaching linebackers from 2018 through 2020 and defensive backs in 2021. During his tenure, the Pointers led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in pass defense in 2019, allowing 184.2 yards per game while recording 11 interceptions and holding opponents to a 53.1 completion percentage. The defense also led the WIAC with 25 sacks in 2021 and ranked second in the conference in turnover margin in 2018.
In addition to his on-field duties, Dugan held several leadership roles within the program, including recruiting coordinator, academic coordinator, and compliance coordinator. He also assisted with strength and conditioning and coordinated portions of the special teams units.
Dugan began his collegiate coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at Alvernia University, where he worked with the linebacker unit while assisting with recruiting, practice planning, and film breakdown.
Before entering coaching, Dugan built a decorated playing career at Millersville University from 2014-17. A four-year starter and three-year team captain, he started 38 consecutive games for the Marauders and finished his career with 336 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. Dugan earned First Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors in 2017 after leading the team in tackles, which ranked second in the conference. He also received All-Super Region I recognition and honorable-mention Division II All-America honors that season. As a junior in 2016, he also led the team in tackles and earned Second Team All-PSAC recognition.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Dugan earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Millersville University in 2017.
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