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Staff Directory
- Title:
- General Manager
- Email:
Owen Chandler enters his first season as the General Manager for the Panthers ahead of the 2025 season. He is responsible for the football program, including recruiting, evaluating talent and searching for player prospects while also scheduling campus visits, junior days, setting up travel schedules for the coaches/team and booking all travel.
The FootballScoop.com first announced the news that Chandler would become the youngest GM at the DI level in January. He joined the program in early February of 2025 at 23 years old.
“For him being young, some of the learning curves that he’ll have to face here these first couple months are no different than a lot of us that are new here, “ Coach Todd Stepsis told the media when he introduced his GM. “He’s so sharp and he’s such a quick learner,” added Coach Stepsis.
The Ashland, Ohio native spent 2024 helping guide the Ashland University(DII) defense as the assistant linebacker’s coach. Chandler also held the title of assistant recruiting coordinator and assistant director of football operations for the 2024 G-MAC champions.
The Eagles ended the season at No. 23 in the AFCA DII Coaches Poll, finished 9-4 overall and 8-1 in the Great Midwest, and made it to the second round of the Division II payoffs. Chandler coached sophomore 2nd team all-conference linebacker, Ben Holzopfel, who led the team with 71 total tackles(43 solo).
Prior to AU, he served as the assistant defensive backs coach at Valparaiso University. Chandler started in the role of defensive quality control when he first came to the Beacons in January of 2023.
The Valparaiso defense had a successful 2023 campaign and were ranked second in the PFL in scoring defense(24.8) and total defense(318.5). The Beacons ranked 1st in rushing defense (123.3). Valpo boasted the best total defense and scoring defense in a season since 2000.
Chandler coached a pair of all-conference defensive backs, Max Franco and Tyler Geiman, who earned All-PFL Honorable Mention status.
Chandler had his playing career cut short by injury and finished his college football career as a student assistant at Ohio Northern University (DIII). His responsibilities included assisting in player development drills with the Polar Bear linebackers(2021) and defensive backs(2022). He spent the summer of 2022 as a football operations intern.
“Owen knew he wanted to coach earlier than most who make that choice. It was clear from early on that he had a full understanding of the entire defense. When he transitioned from player to coach while injured, he made such a positive impact that his role increased rapidly,” offered former ONU Head Coach, Dean Paul.
Chandler graduated from Ohio Northern in December of 2022 with a degree in business administration. In 2021, he earned the Daniel Q. Gennett Bear Award for his overall contribution to the Ohio Northern football program. He also collected the OHSAA Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award in the spring of 2019, for his impact on fellow athletes, while attending Ashland High School.
