Major Jason Dewald, USMC was appointed head coach of the Navy sprint football program during the summer of 2018, becoming the 31st head coach in the program’s history.
In three seasons, Dewald held a 14-3 overall record with an 8-0 mark in division play. Under his direction the Midshipmen won the 2018 Collegiate Sprint Football League Championship, while winning back-to-back CSFL South Division titles.
In a COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Navy finished the year 0-1 overall, falling to Army, 7-3, on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in the annual Star Game in the only game played during the season.
The Mids limited the Black Knights to six first downs, while tallying 17 in the game. The Navy defense registered 10.0 tackles for loss, including 4.0 sacks, while picking off a pass, breaking up a pass, and recording a quarterback hurry. The Mids held the Black Knights to under 200 yards of total offense (186), including just 53 yards on the ground.
Offensively, Navy was able to scratch out 233 total yards of offense with 99 yards rushing and 134 yards in the air, but an interception for the Black Knights proved costly for the Mids as the short field led to the game’s only touchdown.
In 2019, sprint football finished the year 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Collegiate Sprint Football League – South Division. The Midshipmen won the Collegiate Sprint Football regular season title. Navy (South Champion) fell to rival Army West Point (North Champion), 13-0, in the CSFL Championship game, played at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pa. The team had 16 different players earn All-CSFL accolades, including seven players named First Team All-CSFL and four named to the second team.
Navy’s offense ranked first in the league in red zone offense (.833) and rush attempts (318), while ranking second in the CSFL in rushing offense (179.8 yards/game), rushing yards (1,438), rushing touchdowns (20), first downs rushing (68), and total offensive plays (463). The offense was third in the CSFL in scoring offense (30.2 avg/game), touchdowns scored (32), total offensive yards (2,230), and total offensive touchdowns (29); fourth in first downs (113), yards per rush (4.5 avg), and time of possession (30:49); while ranking fifth in total offense (278.8 yards/game) and passing efficiency (103.6).
Defensively, Navy was first in the CSFL in interceptions (25), interception return yards (211), fumble return yards (39), fumble return touchdowns (2), opponent fourth-down conversions (.067), and turnover margin (+21), while ranking second in scoring defense (9.1 avg/game), total defense (217.0 yards/game), passing defense efficiency (73.0), and opponent first downs (91). The Mids were third in the CSFL in sacks (22), fumble recovered (7), and interception return touchdowns (1); fourth in rushing defense (83.0 yards/game) and pass defense (134.0 yards/game); and fifth in opponent third-down conversions (29.9) and red zone defense (.667).
On special teams, Navy was first in kickoff returns (24.0 yards/game), kickoff coverage (40.2 net avg), punting (33.8 yards/game), field goals (6), and on-side kicks (1.000). The Mids ranked second in PAT kicking percentage (.968), points scored kicking (48), field goals attempted (12), punting yards (1,470), punt returns (7.8 avg), and punt return yards (140); and third in field goals made (6), field goal percentage (.500), PAT kicks (30), and punts (39).
In his first season with the sprint football team, Dewald directed the team to the 2018 Collegiate Sprint Football League Championship against rival Army West Point. The Midshipmen avenged a 17-14 loss to the Black Knights early in the season to claim the 2018 Championship. The Mids finished the year 7-1 overall, including a perfect 4-0 mark in the CSFL-South Division. The Navy offense amassed 2,714 yards of total offense, including 1,601 rushing yards and 1,113 passing yards with 17 rushing TDs and an additional 14 passing touchdowns. The Mids outscored opponents 272-70, averaging a 34.00-8.75 victory.
At the conclusion of the season, Navy placed 15 student-athletes on the All-CSFL Team with seven earning first-team distinction. Five were named to the second team, while three earned honorable mention accolades.
Navy’s offense ranked first in the league in rushing offense (200.1 yards/game), yards per rush (4.9), rush attempts (326), rushing yards (1,601), rushing touchdowns (17), and touchdowns scored (36). The offense was second in the CSFL in total offensive plays (482), total offensive yards (2,714), scoring offense (34.0 points/game), total offensive touchdowns (31), and points scored kicking (56).
Defensively, Navy was first in the CSFL in sacks (30), interceptions (13), interception return yards (162), interception returns for touchdowns (4), fumble recoveries (10), and turnover margin (+14), while ranking second in scoring defense (8.8 avg/g), rushing defense (58.6 avg/g), and passing defense efficiency (93.9). The Mids were third in the CSFL in total defense (257.8 avg/g).
Navy was first in PAT kicking made (35) and second in field goals made (7).
Dewald, a native of Mansfield, Ohio, graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio in 2007 receiving his bachelor’s degree in history. In 2008, he received a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Following completion of The Basic School and Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in 2010, he was assigned to 2D Battalion, 10th Marines Regiment, 2D Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, N.C. where he served as a Guns Platoon Commander for Battery G. From 2011 to 2012, Dewald served as Fire Support Team Leader, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Marjah, Afghanistan. The following two years (2012-13), he served as the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer, Headquarters Battery Commander, and Assistant Fire Support Coordinator for 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines at Camp Lejeune.
In 2013, Dewald reported to 2D Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) where he served as the Headquarters and Service Company Commander and Assistant Operations Officer from May 2013 to December 2015. He also attended Expeditionary Warfare School Blended Seminar in Quantico, Virginia during his time in MARSOC.
Dewald received orders in December 2015 to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines Regiment in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and severed as the 2D Battalion, 3rd Marines Fire Support Officer and Battery Commander for Battery A until May 2018.
Dewald is a graduate of Martial Arts Instructor Course, Joint Fire Observer Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) Full Spectrum Level C Course, SERE 245C Joint Services Program Course, Fire Support Coordination Course and the Expedition Warfare School.
His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Dewald played two years of football at Baldwin Wallace on the offensive line. After suffering an injury, he was selected to be a student coach for the junior varsity team for two seasons, serving as the offensive line and co-offensive coordinator for the JV team. During his time as a student coach, the junior varsity team went 13-3.
