WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The Catholic University of America has named Kory David as the next Vincent and Ellen Sica Head Football Coach, after conducting a national search and fielding several quality candidates. Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Kevin Robinson announced the hire, noting David's coaching resume that stretches over 25 years at both the collegiate and professional levels.

"After a highly competitive national search, we are excited to welcome Coach Kory David to the Catholic Athletics family as the next head coach of our football program," said Robinson. "Winning everywhere he has been over his 26 years in football, Kory brings to Catholic a commitment to excellence and an understanding of how to build a nationally relevant program while cultivating a strong culture based in the holistic development of the student-athlete. It is with great enthusiasm we welcome Kory and his wife Katie to the Cardinal family!"

David joins Catholic after spending the previous two seasons as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Eastern University. During the 2025 season, David coordinated a defense that led the MAC Freedom in scoring, rushing, passing and total defense, helping the program earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Playoffs with the first MAC Championship in program history. The Eagles came away with a 28-24 victory over Franklin and Marshall to advance to the Sweet 16 which was the first postseason victory for the program. David along with the rest of the Eastern staff was named the 2025 MAC Coaching Staff of the Year after putting together a 10-2 season.

"Coach Kory David shares Catholic University's commitment to both our Catholic identity and to virtuous leadership," said University President Peter Kilpatrick. "I have every confidence he will lead our Cardinals to excellence both on and off the field."

"Catholic has made a great choice in selecting Kory David as their next head coach," said Billy Crocker, Head Football Coach at Eastern University. "Kory is a proven winner who was instrumental in helping us build our program from the ground up, culminating with a Championship in 2025.  He possesses a great defensive mind and his units have always performed at a high level. Catholic football is in great hands with Kory as its leader."

Before his time at Eastern, David was the Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach at Muhlenberg College from 2017-2024 and was a key contributor to an extremely successful run for the program. During his six seasons with the Mules, the program won postseason games in every season, collecting three Centennial Conference Championships (2018, 2019, 2021) and three bowl victories (2017, 2022, 2023). Muhlenberg advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Playoffs twice and to the Final Four in 2019 while David's defenses pitched four shutouts in the postseason between the 2019 and 2021 playoff runs. David coached three defensive players who earned All-American honors and 11 players received All-Region awards during his time with the Mules. 

"Catholic University has positioned itself to be at the top of the Landmark Conference sooner rather than later with the hiring of Kory David," said Nate Milne, Head Football Coach at Muhlenberg. "They are getting a proven leader that has won at every stop and is going to bring an elite defense to Catholic. Most importantly he is a person each football player is going to want to be around and recruits are going to be drawn to. His time at Muhlenberg is the stuff of legends, myself and our entire program are excited for him and his family."

Before Muhlenberg, David had successful stints as Defensive Coordinator at Hobart College, Delaware Valley University, and King's College. HIs Hobart teams finished 16-5 in his two seasons and his 2015 team was ranked in the top ten in Division III in first downs allowed, total defense, and third down defense. His defense at Delaware Valley helped the Aggies to a MAC Title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament in the 2014 season. 

David spent three years in the professional coaching ranks for the Philadelphia Eagles after earning the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship in 2010. David worked as a Quality Control Coach under Andy Reid with the Eagles where he assisted with film breakdown, data analysis and day-to-day operations.

"This is an exciting moment for me to become a part of the Catholic football and athletics family," said David. "I am eager to get to work building a culture of toughness, discipline and accountability. Our goal is to develop a program our alumni, students and university community can be proud of every single day."

Prior to spending three seasons with Dickinson as Linebackers Coach, David coached seven seasons at his alma mater, Cortland, working as a Co-Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach. During David's tenure, the Red Dragons collected 51 wins, won three consecutive NJAC Championships (2005-07) and made three appearances in the postseason. David coached several All-Americans on the defensive side of the ball during his coaching tenure at Cortland with multiple coming in the 2005, 2006 and 2008 seasons.

"I am excited for my Red Dragon warrior, player and assistant coach as well as Catholic University for making this hire," said Dan MacNeill, former Head Football Coach at Cortland. "Kory's journey has been a series of successful steps to this opportunity. From a heralded player to an acclaimed coach, leadership is his hallmark, and he is universally respected to the highest levels of our game."

David played at Cortland before joining the coaching staff after graduating and was a stand out player for the program, earning two All-East selections at linebacker and making a trip to the NCAA Tournament during his playing career.