ORANGE, Calif. — March 2, 2026 — Chapman University has officially named Casey Shine as the permanent Head Coach of the Panther football program after a historic 2025 season that culminated in a SCIAC championship, and a landmark NCAA Division III playoff run. Shine stepped into the interim role in July 2025 following the retirement of longtime head coach Bob Owens, who concluded an 18-season tenure with 106 career victories and helped build Chapman into a conference powerhouse.
Shine led Chapman to a perfect SCIAC season in his first year as Interim Head Coach, capturing the program's fifth conference title since 2014. Under his leadership, the Panthers made conference history as the first SCIAC team to win a true road game in the NCAA Division III Tournament, defeating Whitworth University to advance to the second round. Chapman's postseason run concluded against eventual national champion University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
In addition to the team's championship success, Shine and his staff were named SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
"I am incredibly honored to lead Chapman football and to build on the foundation that has made this program so successful," said Shine. "Chapman means so much to me — as a coach, as a mentor and as a member of this community. Our future is about continuing to raise the standard, competing at the highest level. I'm excited about where we're headed."
Shine's appointment marks the continuation of a remarkable run for Chapman football. Prior to serving as Interim Head Coach, he spent 13 seasons as Offensive Coordinator and has been part of all five SCIAC championship teams, four as Offensive Coordinator and one as Interim Head Coach.
His tenure has coincided with the rise of Chapman as one of the premier Division III programs on the West Coast. In 2019, he helped lead the Panthers to the best season in program history, highlighted by a 68-65 triple overtime victory over Linfield in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That season, Chapman ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring, powered by a rushing attack that averaged 237 yards per game,16th in Division III.
"We are excited for the future of Panther football under his leadership," said Interim Athletic Director Doug Aiken. "Coach Shine has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and the development of our student-athletes. We are confident he will continue to elevate Panther football on and off the field."
Before joining Chapman in 2012, Shine spent nine seasons on the coaching staff at Santa Ana College. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, El Modena High School, located just minutes from Chapman's Orange campus.
With Shine now officially at the helm, Chapman looks to build on its conference championship momentum and continue establishing itself as a national contender in Division III football.