After a challenging first year leading the Navy Midshipmen football program, Brian Newberry is continuing to overhaul his offseason staff. Sources informed FootballScoop that Newberry is now ready to announce his next offensive play-caller.
Drew Cronic, who has guided Mercer to 23 wins since 2021 and reached the second round of the 2023 FCS Playoffs, is set to assume the role of Navy’s next offensive play-caller, according to sources who spoke with FootballScoop on Tuesday night.
Cronic served as Furman’s offensive coordinator for the 2017 season under Clay Hendrix before compiling a 53-20 record over the past six seasons, first as head coach of NCAA Division II program Lenoir-Rhyne and then at Mercer for the last four years.
Under Cronic’s leadership, Lenoir-Rhyne made consecutive NCAA Division II Semifinals appearances, and he guided Mercer to the FCS Quarterfinals in 2023.
A former University of Georgia receiver and college teammate of Kirby Smart, Cronic has coaching experience at James Madison, Reinhardt, and West Georgia.
Navy concluded Newberry’s first season with a 5-7 record; after a 1-3 start, the Midshipmen showed improvement, finishing 4-4 over their final eight games.
