Willamette Record Holder Dean Signs to Play Football in Italy for Ancona Dolphins

Josh Dean '14
Josh Dean '14
December 11, 2017

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Former Willamette University quarterback Josh Dean ('14), who set numerous records while playing for the Bearcats from 2010-13, has signed to play American football with the Ancona Dolphins in the Italian first division. Dean will play in Anacona during the 2018 season.

At Willamette, Dean he set all of the Bearcats' single season passing records as a junior in 2012. During his record-setting season, he completed 273 of 422 passes (64.7%) for 3,345 yards and 34 touchdowns. He ended the year ranked third in the nation in NCAA Division III in passing yards, was fifth in passing yards per game (334.5 yards), finished sixth in total offense per game (351.6 yards), and was sixth in completions per game (27.3).  He carried the ball

Dean also had an outstanding senior season. In 2013, he completed 192 of 303 passes (63.4%) for 2,489 yards and 28 passing touchdowns. He also rushed 119 times for 493 yards and four scores. He ranked eighth in Division III in passing touchdowns and was ninth in points responsible for per game (21.8). He set a Willamette single game record with seven touchdown passes in a 56-30 win at Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 19, 2013.

During his career with the Bearcats, Dean connected on 468 of 729 passes for 5,877 yards and 62 touchdowns. He was chosen Second Team All-Northwest Conference in 2012 and 2013. He earned First Team Capital One Academic All-District honors in 2013. He was an offensive assistant coach at Willamette in 2015.

Dean has played three seasons of American football in Europe. He played quarterback for the Onasbruck Tigers in the third division in Germany in 2014. He was the quarterback for the Calanda Broncos in Switzerland in 2015 and 2016. He helped the Broncos reach the Swiss Bowl both seasons, and led the team to the Swiss Championship in 2015.

His career record while playing in Europe is 31-3. He has completed 545 of 792 passes during his career for 8,046 yards and 99 touchdowns, while throwing just 12 interceptions. In addition, he has carried the ball 539 times for 4,078 rushing yards and 67 touchdowns.