Chris Dent enters his third season as an assistant coach for the Chowan University Football team, serving as the Quarterbacks Coach and Passing Game Coordinator. A former standout quarterback for the Chowan Braves, Dent brings a wealth of coaching experience and a deep passion for the game to the program.
During the 2024 season, Dent played a key role in helping the quarterbacks throw for 1,621 yards. Under his guidance, Maurice Smith led the offense with 1,374 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns, 5 rushing touchdowns, and 397 rushing yards. In the previous season, the team posted 2,112 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, showcasing the continued development of the passing game under Dent's tutelage.
Dent's coaching journey spans over two decades, with a strong focus on high school football in Florida. Before returning to his alma mater, he spent seven successful seasons as the head coach at Port St. Lucie High School (PSL), leading the team to three Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Playoff appearances—an unprecedented achievement in the school's history. He also guided PSL to a district championship, marking the first in 30 years. From 2010 to 2014, Dent also served as the Special Teams Coach, Quarterbacks Coach, and Receivers Coach at PSL, further honing his coaching expertise.
Before his tenure at PSL, Dent was the Offensive Coordinator at Saint Lucie West Centennial High School for two seasons and held the same role at John Carroll Catholic High School (2006-09) and Martin County High School (2003-05). He began his coaching career at Fort Pierce Westwood (2001-03) and Lake Placid High School (1999-01), where he made significant contributions to the teams' offensive success.
Dent played quarterback from 1995 to 1998 making him the 1st Quarterback in school history to start all 4 years . During his collegiate career, he set the Chowan Division III record for completions and passing yards. He currently ranks in the top-10 in Chowan history in completions (348, 4th), passing yards (3,925, 4th), total offense (3,680, 5th), and passing touchdowns (24, 6th). Dent’s remarkable college career earned him a spot as the starting quarterback for the Chowan All-Time Division III Team, a testament to his impact on the program.
A graduate of Chowan University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science in 2000, Dent’s return to his alma mater is both a professional and personal milestone. Outside of football, Dent is married to Donna Pittard, a Chowan alumna and former basketball player. The couple has two sons, Braylon and Trever.
