After six years at Penn State’s Director of Player Personnel, Bill Kavanaugh will take over as Bentley University’s head football coach according to a Bentley release.

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the football program at my alma mater, a place I have held in high regard since stepping on campus as a freshman,” said Kavanaugh in the release, a 2004 graduate of Bentley University. “The opportunity to return home to Boston and lead a program with such a great tradition is a dream come true.”

“I’m thrilled that Bill has accepted our offer to become our head football coach,” said Bentley Athletic Directo Bob DeFelice. “He displayed his leadership ability as a team captain ten years ago and has since grown into an outstanding young man who will be a tremendous leader for our football program and Bentley University.”

While at Penn State, Kavanaugh most recently directed recruiting efforts under head coach Bill O’Brien. Kavanaugh worked within the program prior to his advancement under O’Brien, starting out as a graduate assistant coach, working with the running backs, from July 2008-January 2011.

“Bill Kavanaugh was a tremendous asset to us here at Penn State University,” said O’Brien in the release. “He was involved in all facets of our program and I credit him with much of our success in recruiting and all of the things that went on behind the scenes here at Penn State.”

Penn State may have more well-known faces around the program, but there is little doubt Kavanaugh has been key to the program’s success over the past two years. O’Brien has long said he won’t ever stop one of his coaches from advancing in their profession and it’s hard to say no when your alma mater comes knocking.