WALTHAM, Mass. – Following a nationwide search, Falcons offensive coordinator Saj Thakkar has been named the seventh head football coach in Bentley University history, Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams announced today.

Thakkar, whose resume includes five years on the staff of Tim Murphy at Harvard University, was hired as Bentley's offensive coordinator earlier this spring and was elevated to interim head coach in early April.

"I couldn't be more excited to be the next head football coach at Bentley," said Thakkar. "Bentley is truly a special place with special people. My family and I look forward to continuing to build relationships at Bentley and around Waltham.

"I would like to thank Vice President for Student Affairs Andrew Shepardson, Vaughn Williams and the entire search committee for this tremendous opportunity," continued Thakkar. "I also would like to thank my family who has been extremely supportive throughout my entire career."

"I'm excited that Coach Thakkar will be the leader of our football program," said Williams. "He has succeeded as an assistant coach at both the Division I and III levels, and has done an excellent job overseeing our program as the interim head coach."

Thakkar, 32, spent five seasons (2018-22) as the running backs coach at Harvard after three years (2015-17) on the staff at SUNY Maritime.

Thakkar takes over a Bentley program that has posted a 21-5 record since midway through the 2019 season, participated in the 2021 NCAA Division II playoffs and was the 2019 Northeast-10 champion. During the recently completed semester, the team had a 3.06 grade point average with 25 players posting a 3.5 or better.

"The connection between the staff, players, campus community, and alumni will be what sets us apart from our competitors," said Thakkar. "We will strive to create the model program in all of Division II football."

During Thakkar's tenure at Harvard, four players were named All-Ivy including Ivy League rushing champions and 1,000-yard rushers Aidan Borguet and Aaron Shampklin.

Murphy, Harvard's head coach since 1994 and the owner of 224 career wins in 35 seasons, praised his former assistant. "Saj is a great American success story. His work ethic, football IQ and love of the game are important components in his ability to recruit, coach, and motivate student-athletes."

At SUNY-Maritime, Thakkar spent two years as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. During the 2017 season, the Thakkar-led offense averaged 37 points per game with ten offensive players earning All Eastern Conference Athletic Conference (ECAC) honors.

Thakkar coached the running backs and special teams at his alma mater, Fitchburg State University, from 2013-2014.

Last year, Thakkar worked at the NFL  Bill Walsh Fellowship in Atlanta.

Thakkar earned his MBA and Bachelor of Science degree from Fitchburg State, where he was a three-time academic all-conference selection as a wide receiver and quarterback.

"With the support of our administration and passionate alumni, we look forward to reaching new heights as a program in the changing landscape of college football. Our team will make our supporters extremely proud to wear Bentley blue."

A native of Wakefield, Thakkar resides in Woburn with his wife Bobbi-Jo, their son Caiden (5) and their daughter Ensley, who will turn 3 on July 7.

The Thakkar era will kick off September 2 with a home game against West Chester University.