Drew Christ was named Lamar University defensive coordinator in January 2023. Christ’s hiring is a reunion of sorts with LU head coach Pete Rossomando, as the two worked together at Central Connecticut State helping build the most successful run in school history.
In his first season, Christ was given the unenviable task of rebuilding the Cardinal defense which was at or near the bottom of the Southland Conference in several categories. Under Christ’s direction, the Cardinals improved in almost every area and ended the year ranked second in the SLC in scoring and pass defense and third in the league in total defense.
Christ’s defense produced three all-conference players – Caleb Williams (defensive line), Joshua Ofili and Ramond Stevens (defense back) – and was a key factor in helping the Cardinals record the nation’s fourth largest turnaround last season.
Christ comes to Beaumont after spending the previous two seasons at Boston College where he served as a defensive assistant coach and a special teams analyst. During his time in Chesnut Hills, he helped coach the Eagles to a berth in the 2022 Military Bowl. Prior to his time with the Eagles, Christ spent time on staff at Ohio State.
Christ joined the Buckeye’s staff after spending five seasons in New Britain, Conn., serving under Rossomando at Central Connecticut State. During that time, Christ served as defensive coordinator working directly with the Blue Devils’ defensive backs. While on staff, the Blue Devils won the Northeast Conference title and advanced to their first NCAA FCS Playoff appearance in program history.
Christ brings more than 20 years of coaching experience with him to the Golden Triangle with coaching stops at Albany, Rochester, Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College. Working primarily with defensive backs and linebackers, Christ also served as the defensive coordinator at Albany and Rochester.
While on staff at Albany, Christ helped lead the Great Danes to back-to-back Northeast Conference titles (2011 and 2012), while coaching numerous players to All-NEC accolades, including Dave Casale, a two-time All-NEC selection at free safety who went on to play professionally with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
Christ's secondary also played a vital role in the Great Danes run to the 2008 NEC Championship.
Christ previously served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Rochester. He spent the prior three years as secondary coach under Al Bagnoli at Pennsylvania. The Quakers won the Ivy League championship in 2002 and 2003 during his stay with the program.
A native of Bay Village, Ohio, Christ was an all-conference and honorable mention all-state scholastic defensive player. He went on to start at the University of Chicago, where he was a three-time All-University Athletic Association defensive back and kicker. He was voted special teams MVP for four consecutive years and received the overall most valuable player award as a senior. Christ played in the Professional Indoor Football League with the Madison Maddawgs.
He is married to the former Sarah Zaborowski.
