Chapman football looks to continue dominance in a season of change
Chapman football's defense, swarming and tackling an opponent during the 2024 season; Photo Courtesy of Larry Newman
As summer winds down and cleats begin to hit the turf once again, the Chapman football team returns with high hopes for their upcoming season — one sure to be filled with change, challenge and the potential for greatness.
The Panthers are coming off an exceptionally strong 2024 campaign, with seven wins and three losses. The season was cut short when they suffered an unfortunate 37-34 loss against Pomona-Pitzer in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship, keeping them out of the NCAA Division III national tournament.
This year, the Panthers hope to not only win the SCIAC championship, but also go as far as they can in the NCAA Division III tournament. In 2023, Chapman found themselves in the tournament after beating Pomona-Pitzer 41-20 in the SCIAC championship, only to lose to Whitworth University in the first round of the tournament 42-28. Now, the team is not only focused on winning the conference title, but solidifying their name as a premier DIII team in the country.
Over the summer, beloved coach Bob Owens, head coach of the Chapman Football team, announced his retirement after 19 years of service to the program. Owens was the most successful coach in Chapman history, with over 100 wins and four SCIAC championships.
Before taking over the program in 2006, Chapman had seen six losing seasons in a row and really needed some help getting back on its feet. During his time at Chapman, Owens helped the Panthers to 13 winning seasons, leading to an impressive overall record of 106-63 over 19 years, totaling out to a win percentage of roughly 63%.
Perhaps his most incredible feat as the coach of the Panthers came in 2019 when he led the team to an undefeated season and the first NCAA tournament win in program history. A nail-biting three-overtime victory over Linfield in the NCAA first round helped the Panthers end the season ranked in the top 10 for the only time in program history.
Owens leaves the program in the extremely capable and intelligent hands of offensive coordinator Casey Shine, who has been named the interim head coach for the 2025 season.
Shine has been the offensive coordinator for the Panthers for the past 13 seasons. Originally joining the coaching staff in 2012, he has been an integral part of the program's success during Owens’ time at Chapman.
Interim head coach Casey Shine; Photo Courtesy of Chapman Athletics
In the Panthers’ undefeated 2019 season, Shine’s offense was ranked top 25 in scoring, driven by a rush-heavy offense that ranked 16th in all of Division III, generating an average of 237 yards per game.
Shine and Owens’ relationship started long before their time together at Chapman. Both Shine’s and Owen’s fathers attended Duarte High School together, and their paths would cross years later when Owens ended up coaching Shine for a season at the University of Nevada in 1995.
In an interview with the Panther, Shine had only good things to say about his old friend.
“He is a really good football coach, but an even better person,” Shine said. “My challenge for me is to live up to his standard of not only being a great coach, but a great person, great communicator, great advocate for Chapman football and to continue to develop (not only) good football players but good humans.”
Taking on the role of head coach while still being the offensive coordinator is something many coaches wouldn’t consider doing. But because of his experience within the program, Shine is looking forward to accepting the responsibilities provided by his new role, as well as continuing to take care of the offense. Shine credited the Chapman athletics department for making his transition to head coach so smooth.
“Luckily, I've been here and so it’s a little bit easier of a transition,” Shine said. “If I was coming in new and not knowing anybody, I think it would be pretty hard. We’ve got a great athletic department and support staff that make my job super easy.”
Coming in hot off a disappointing end to last season, Shine wants nothing more than to win a SCIAC championship and make a name for Chapman on a national level. One way Shine plans on doing this is by developing the talent of the entire team through things like preseason camp and facing some of their toughest opponents at the start of the season.
Opening the season against number six-ranked Harden-Simmons University at home on Sept. 6, followed by a road battle against number 15-ranked Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon on Sep. 20, will provide early and valuable tests, showing both Coach Shine and his players what they need to do to grow into an elite program.
But even with a tough schedule ahead, the Panthers won’t be stepping on the field empty-handed. Helping lead the charge is junior safety and business administration major Jacob Gaudi, whose standout play has already drawn national attention, earning him a spot on the preseason Division III All-American list.
Jacob Gaudi celebrating a defensive stop; Photo Courtesy of Chapman Athletics
Gaudi is the only Chapman player to earn such an honor for this year, but he still remains ever-focused on his growth as a football player, captain and overall man, emphasizing that there’s still lots of work to be done as he and the rest of the Panthers prepare for the upcoming season.
“It’s an honor to be named preseason All-American, I was excited just for that recognition,” Gaudi said, “But, I realize that it is just preseason and I haven’t really proven anything this year. That’s sort of just an accolade from last year, and I’m just excited to prove it again this year and see what I, along with the entire team, can do this year.”
As one of the captains, Gaudi knows it’s going to be up to him to keep spirits high no matter how the game unfolds. It’s going to take more than just making plays to help lead this team to their overall goal of being a nationally feared program.
“I feel I can help the team by leading through my actions day in and day out,” he said. “I take pride in bringing constant energy, showing effort, and playing with a high motor on every play, so I think that can have a snowball effect on my teammates. I also make it a point to encourage my teammates and hold everyone accountable so we're all playing up to a certain level and standard.”
Seeming to embrace the change of a new coach, Gaudi looked back fondly on his memories with Owens. Even though they only spent three seasons together, the connection remains strong.
“Coach (Owens) left this team in great hands,” Gaudi said. “He built this team from the ground up, he’s got the most wins as a Chapman coach ever… we’re excited to build off what we’ve got and what he’s taught us, all the lessons and to grind every single day.”
As for his new coach, Gaudi’s outlook is positive, excited for what his offensive coordinator can bring to the table in his new position. The energy and intensity Shine has brought to the team so far has not gone unnoticed by the players.
“Coach Shine has brought a great young energy in his first few weeks as head coach, and it’s been good,” he said. “We’ve had really competitive practices and gone at it, so I think that’ll carry over to the entire season. We’ll have a great start and finish off even stronger.”
Looking into this season, Gaudi knows what it’s going to take in order for the team to have success. His goal is to make others on the team realize it too, day in and day out, practice after practice.
“I think our success this season will come down to minimizing penalties and staying confident in each other even if we fall behind in a game,” Gaudi said. “We all know that we have the talent and chemistry to compete with anyone in the nation, so I'm super excited to see what we can do.”
It may be a year of change on the coaching staff, but most of the players have experienced success while at Chapman. They hope this season will be no different.