Chris Calabrese enters his fifth season with the Great Danes in 2024. He currently serves as the team’s Outside Linebackers Coach / Defensive Recruiting Coordinator. He previously served as the team’s Defensive Line Coach (2022) and as a Defensive Assistant (2020-2021).
In his first season as the team’s outside linebackers coach, Calabrese helped the Great Dane defense enjoy a historic season in 2023, en route to the team’s first-ever NCAA FCS National Semifinal appearance and first ever CAA title. The UAlbany defense paced the entire country in rushing defense, allowing an FCS low of 87.6 yards per game and just 11 rushing touchdowns. In the CAA, the Great Danes allowed the fewest yards per play (4.9), the third-fewest yards per game (322.5), and the third-fewest touchdowns (33).
Prior to joining the Great Danes, Calabrese spent six seasons at ASA College as the department’s athletic director and head football coach. During that time, he transitioned over 175 athletes from junior college players to both FCS and FBS standouts. In addition, 10 players under Calabrese went on to have NFL careers.
Before joining ASA College, Calabrese was a founding member of East Coast Prep – a football-only prep school located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. While there, he served as the director of academic development and as the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach.
Prior to East Coast Prep, Calabrese also spent time with the Valley Forge Military Academy (VFMA) and with Exos. While with VFMA, he served as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach, also working as the director of athletic admissions for the institution. While with Exos, Calabrese earned his CSCS accreditation as a certified strength coach. After completing his internship, he worked as a performance specialist for the company while also working with the NFL Scouting Combine.
Calabrese graduated from Menlo College in 2009 with a degree in sports management and finance.
He was an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a member of the Ceritified Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) and was CPR/AED certified from the American Heart Association.
