John Perin elevated to Head Football Coach

Georgetown College Athletics is happy to announce the promotion of John Perin to Head Football Coach, effective immediately. Perin takes over for Chris Oliver, who will remain at Georgetown in his current role of Vice President for Athletics.

During his time at Georgetown as defensive coordinator, the team had a record of 26-8, allowed just 16.3 points per game and won back-to-back Mid-South Conference Championships in 2023 and 2024. Georgetown also reached the NAIA Football Championship Series Semifinals in 2023 and Quarterfinals in 2024. The Semifinals appearance for the program was the first since 2011.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Perin came to Georgetown in 2022 from Birmingham-Southern College, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2017-2021. He also coached at Morehead State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Capital University. His coaching career began at Centre College, his alma mater, from 2010-2012. Perin graduated from Centre with a Bachelor of Science in Financial Economics in 2008. He is married to wife Megan and together, they have one daughter, BB.

Perin expressed gratitude and excitement about his new role as Head Football Coach of Georgetown. "My family and I are incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Georgetown College Football program. My sincere appreciation goes to President Allen for having the confidence in me to lead this program into the future. Working alongside our student-athletes and staff, we will build upon the strong foundation of this program and continue the tradition of excellence that defines Georgetown College Football," said Perin. "I am both humbled and excited to take on the role of Head Coach of the Tigers and pushing this program to even greater success."

VP for Athletics, Chris Oliver, expressed his confidence in John Perin's ability to be Head Coach. "Coach Perin has played a vital role in our program's success during his three years at Georgetown College. Not only is John a tremendous football coach who has helped us win back-to-back MSC Championships, but he is also an exceptional leader of men," Oliver noted. "He knows how to bring out the best in his players on and off the field, and he's the type of coach I would want my son to play for. Over the last three years, I've watched John embrace the history and traditions of our program, and also work to build meaningful relationships with those who care deeply about Tiger football. I am confident that our program and our young men are in great hands! I would like to congratulate John, his wife Megan, and their daughter BB on this special moment for their family and for Tiger football!"

Perin takes over for Chris Oliver, who concludes a three-year run as Head Football Coach at Georgetown. During that time, the Tigers won two MSC Championships, along with two deep runs into the NAIA Playoffs. The program had 118 student-athletes receive Mid-South Conference All-Academic honors. Thirty-seven Tigers were named either First or Second Team Mid-South All-Conference with Gehrig Slunaker named 2022 MSC Freshman of the Year, Darius Neal winning 2024 Offensive Player of the Year, and Chad Holleran twice winning Defensive Player of the Year (2023, 2024). Oliver was also named the MSC Coach of the Year in 2023 for the sixth time in his career.

"I am blessed to have been able to spend more than 20 years coaching college football, with the last 15 of those seasons as a head coach," reflected Oliver. "The relationships I've been able to develop with our players and coaches are not something that I take for granted." As a head coach for 12 years at Lindsey Wilson College and the last three at Georgetown, Oliver amassed an impressive 131 wins, sixth most among active NAIA coaches. In that time, he won seven MSC titles, reached the NAIA Football Championship Series Semifinals or better four times and won the 2020 NAIA National Championship. In that year, he was also named the AFCA National Coach of the Year and was also named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year seven times, making him one of only 13 coaches in college football to achieve that feat.

New Head Coach, John Perin, shared his thoughts on Oliver's coaching run and their continuing relationship. "I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Chris Oliver," Perin said. "Under his exceptional leadership, the program has thrived, and his dedication has left a lasting mark on our team. I'm looking forward to working alongside him as we both contribute to the continued growth of this great college."

Georgetown College President, Dr. Rosemary Allen, voiced her support for both John Perin and Chris Oliver in their respective roles moving forward. "Coach Oliver is an extraordinary leader, and I am so grateful for his wisdom and expertise as he charts the future for all of our athletic programs as Vice President for Athletics," Allen said. "I am confident that John Perin will step in as Head Football Coach to guide our program with the same strength, integrity, and success that has been the hallmark of the Georgetown College football program under the leadership of Chris Oliver."

As for the future, Oliver is looking forward to continuing as VP for Athletics. "I am excited about the opportunity to continue to serve the student-athletes and coaches in all 21 of our varsity programs," Oliver noted.  "Since taking on this role in April, I have become even more energized to experience first-hand the opportunities for growth and development within Tiger Athletics and across our campus. Georgetown College is at a transformative moment in our story, and I am eager to play a role in moving our department and our College forward to continued excellence."

With this announcement, John Perin and the Georgetown staff are now moving forward with plans for next season, beginning with the completion of the 2025 recruiting class ahead of Signing Day in February.

What they are saying:

"The selection of coach John Perin is an obvious choice I believe will allow Georgetown Football to continue building its success. Coach Perin is professional, genuine, and carries an attitude of Tiger Pride every day. He will do a great job." -Bill Cronin, NAIA Hall of Famer, former Georgetown Football Head Coach, 1997-2021

"I am thrilled that John Perin will be the next Head Football Coach at Georgetown College. With a storied tradition at Georgetown, I have no doubt that John will continue to uphold the legacy of those coaches that have come before him. At Centre, John was an outstanding player and coach. His greatest attribute was his leadership ability. He had followers because he genuinely cared about people. He wants to make a difference for the good in the lives that he mentors and coaches! Centre College wishes him and his family continued success in his new endeavor!" -Andy Frye, Head Coach, Centre College

"John is as brilliant of a football mind as I've ever been around. He has a fire and intensity about him that is inspiring to everyone. The players love being coached by him because they sense his genuine love for them as well as the game. Georgetown hit it out of the park with this hire!" -Tony Joe White, Head Coach, Austin College

"Dedication, Alignment and Focus…these are three words that often remind me of John. He understands the importance of investing in people, and more importantly, you can see God's heart in all that he does. I am extremely excited for Megan and BB, and at the same time excited for all the young men who will have an opportunity to encounter John Perin. The Georgetown Football family will be in great hands with Coach Perin leading the way." -Pat Hill, Assistant Defensive Line Coach, Minnesota Vikings