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SOURCES: Davidson close to naming Saj Thakkar as next head football coach

Thakkar, who has led D2 Bentley University the past two seasons, would replace Scott Abell

Published

December 17, 2024

Davidson football players huddle during 2024 spring game.

Davidson College's football team, shown here during the 2024 spring game, will be under new leadership in 2025. Photo by Eric Lusk | NC Football News

Davidson College’s search to find a new head football coach could be nearing its end. Multiple sources have told FootballScoop.com that Saj Thakkar, currently the head coach at Division II Bentley University in Massachusetts, will soon be announced as the new leader of the Wildcats.

Thakkar, 33, would become one of the youngest Division I head coaches in the nation. He is 14-6 in two seasons at Bentley, including an 8-2 mark this past season.

Thakkar spent five years as running backs coach at Harvard before taking over at Bentley in 2023. Before that he was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at SUNY Maritime and running backs/special teams coach at his alma mater, Fitchburg State.

Saj Thakkar head football coach at Bentley University could be taking over at Davidson

Davidson has been searching for a new head coach since Abell resigned to take the Rice University job on Nov. 25. Jon Berlin has been interim coach since Abell’s departure. Davidson enjoyed unprecedented success on Abell’s watch, earning winning seasons seven years in a row and making multiple trips to the FCS playoffs.

Stay tuned to NC Football News for more on this developing story.

Eric Lusk Publisher & Editor

Eric Lusk started NC Football News in 2023. He's an old newspaper guy with a fondness for underdogs, redemption stories and the triple-option offense. He's a proud graduate of Jesse O. Sanderson High School and UNC's School of Journalism. He's thankful for God's mercy, family and second chances.

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