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Jacob Pardonnet celebrates a big play.

Football Alan Babbitt

Defensive Coordinator Jacob Pardonnet '18 Steps Down for New Coaching Opportunity

Defensive coordinator Jacob Pardonnet '18 is departing the nationally-ranked Hope College football team for a coaching opportunity at the NCAA Division II level to be announced.

Over four seasons, Pardonnet molded the Flying Dutchmen into one of the top units in NCAA Division III, including ranking in the Top 20 statistically the past two seasons. A nationwide search for a new defensive coordinator has begun.

This season, the Pardonnet-led defense recorded the seventh-ranked rush defense in the nation at 62.7 yards per game. Hope also placed 15th in scoring defense at 14.5 points per game, and 20th in total defense at 257.0 yards per game. The Flying Dutchmen went 9-2 and reached the Division III playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time.

In 2024, Hope ranked eighth in the nation on rush defense at 61.3 yards per game, 10th in scoring defense at 12.1 points per game, and 14th in total defense at 250.7 yards per game. The Flying Dutchmen finished 11-1, went unbeaten in MIAA play, and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time.

Pardonnet coached four All-Americans — defensive linemen Liam Danitz and Caleb Paarlberg, safety Owen Graham and linebacker Cole Luhmann — and 18 All-MIAA selections during his tenure.

As a student-athlete at Hope, Pardonnet played four seasons for the Flying Dutchmen (2014-17) and earned All-MIAA Football Second Team honors as a senior and a junior. In 55 career games, Pardonnet totaled 189 tackles, 7 ½ sacks, and 21 tackles for loss.

Before returning to Hope, Pardonnet spent the past three seasons on the coaching staff at NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
 
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Players Mentioned

Liam Danitz

#0 Liam Danitz

DL
6' 5"
Senior
Exercise Science
Owen Graham

#42 Owen Graham

S
5' 11"
Senior
Social Studies Composite
Caleb Paarlberg

#11 Caleb Paarlberg

DL
6' 2"
Senior
Business

Players Mentioned

Liam Danitz

#0 Liam Danitz

6' 5"
Senior
Exercise Science
DL
Owen Graham

#42 Owen Graham

5' 11"
Senior
Social Studies Composite
S
Caleb Paarlberg

#11 Caleb Paarlberg

6' 2"
Senior
Business
DL