CARROLLTON, Ga. - With appreciation for his 15 years of service, the University of West Georgia announces that David Dean, head coach of the UWG Football program, will be stepping away from his role, effective Nov. 30.
 
Under Dean's dedicated leadership, the UWG Football program has achieved notable success, setting the stage for a promising future as UWG elevates to NCAA Division I athletics and joins the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2024. Dean, the all-time winningest coach in program history, led the program to three playoff appearances during his tenure as head coach.
 
Dr. Brendan Kelly, UWG's president, expressed his gratitude for Dean's service, stating, "Coach Dean has been a great asset to our university during his years of service to the institution. His vision, dedication and efforts to build a culture around the pursuit of excellence in football have not only strengthened our program but have also left a lasting impact on the lives of the student-athletes he coached and mentored. We are very grateful for his years of commitment to the University of West Georgia."
 
A former wide receiver at Georgia Tech, Dean was introduced to Gulf South Conference football in 1988 when he began a four-year run on the staff at Valdosta State. In 1992, Dean moved to Carrollton for an eight-year run on the staff at West Georgia. That stint included the first winning season at the Division II level, the first NCAA D-II Playoff berth, and the program's first two Gulf South Conference titles.
 
Dean departed UWG following the 1999 season, joining the staff at Valdosta State and eventually serving as head coach until he returned to UWG in 2017.
 
Director of Athletics Jason Carmichael commended Dean for his achievements, saying, "Coach Dean has been instrumental in positioning our football program for future success, particularly as we prepare to enter NCAA Division I athletics in the 2024 season. His strategic guidance and leadership have set the stage for a smooth transition, and we are grateful for his contributions to get us to this point."
 
Dean shared that it has been an "honor and a privilege" to lead the UWG Football program since 2017.
 
"I am grateful for the support of the university, UWG Athletics, our fans, and – most importantly – the talented student-athletes who have given their all both on and off the field," Dean said. "I am confident that UWG Football is well-positioned for continued success, and I look forward to cheering on the team's future achievements."
 
In his six seasons as UWG's head coach, the program received 19 All-American selections and Dean saw his teams accumulate a total of 50 All-Gulf South Conference selections. 
 
The search for a new head coach will begin in short course, and further updates will be provided as the process unfolds.