WPIAL Alum Q&A – Sean Dugan

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, November 27, 2017 | 8:19 PM

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Springdale is a school with a rich football tradition, so when Sean Dugan set multiple records during his tenure, it was a significant accomplishment. Dugan then continued his college career at Millersville University, where he just recently concluded a record-setting senior campaign. He is this week’s feature for the WPIAL Alum Q&A.

As a sophomore for Springdale in 2010, Dugan compiled 687 yards rushing, as the Dynamos recorded a mark of 10-2. That season, Springdale defeated Western Beaver and Monessen in the playoffs, before falling to a dominant Clairton team, 26-7, in the semifinals.

The next season, Dugan surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, as he rushed for 1,272 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns. Springdale again made the postseason, defeating Monessen in the opening round before falling again to Clairton, this time in the quarterfinals, by the margin of 34-20.

In Dugan’s senior year of 2012, he produced 227 carries for 1,738 yards. That total set the single-season record for rushing at Springdale, and in the process, he also set the career rushing mark. Dugan finished his time at Springdale with more than 4,000 yards on the ground. Also that season, Dugan caught 13 passes for 121 yards, reached the end zone 20 times, and led the team in tackles. The Dynamos achieved a 6-4 record, losing to Brentwood in the first round of the playoffs.

Following his prep career, Dugan matriculated to Millersville University, where he redshirted in 2013.

In 2014, Dugan was slowed by an injury early in the campaign, but finished strong after moving to outside linebacker. He garnered the Marauders’ Most Improved Player Award, and compiled 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Millersville struggled, though, winning just one contest.

The next season, Dugan established himself as one of the best defenders on Millersville. He registered 63 tackles, which ranked third on the team, three sacks and two interceptions. His team did not enjoy much more success, however, as the Marauders went just 2-9.

Last year, Dugan notched an incredible 111 tackles, the most by a Millersville player since 1999. He added 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Consequently, he was named All-PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) East Second Team. Millersville repeated its record from the prior season, finishing 2-9.

For his senior campaign, Dugan managed to increase his output. He compiled 123 tackles, the best mark in the PSAC and the most by a Marauder since 1992, three sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. As a result, he was named All-PSAC East First Team. He finished his career fifth all-time in tackles at Millersville. The Marauders also made strides this season, going 4-7, including three wins in conference play.

Sean took time from his schedule to answer questions about his penchant for tackles, his fondest memories from Springdale, and his favorite Thanksgiving food.

Q: You were a tackling machine during your college career. What was the biggest key to your success in this area?

A: I would say the scheme the coaches developed each week really enabled me to be successful. It also helped that I had a veteran group of defensive linemen in front of me to take on blocks and eat up double teams.

Q: How did your role in the defense change from the time you were a freshman to the end of your senior season?

A: I came in as a strong safety and left as a mike linebacker. I think once they saw my physicality, my second year they decided to play me in the box as a linebacker and I took that role and ran with it.

Q: Did you set any individual goals for your senior campaign?

A: I am not big on setting individual goals, as I am team goals. I received first team all-conference and led the conference in tackles, but I would trade both of those for a winning season.

Q: What was your best moment playing for Millersville?

A: I would say my best moment would be beating Seton Hill. It was the first time we beat a West PSAC school on the road in a game we weren’t favored.

Q: The team gradually improved its record during your career. What was key for the Marauders improvement in 2017?

A: I think the group of guys that stayed through the whole process really helped develop the team we had. It is not easy going through losing years like that, but I think the guys who stayed through it all really helped the program have its most successful year in over a decade.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Millersville?

A: I wanted to get away, and saw it as an opportunity to do something special at a program that had been poor in recent history.

Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?

A: My major is psychology, and my ideal future profession is to coach at the collegiate level.

Q: What was your most enjoyable college class?

A: My most enjoyable college class was a sensation and perception lab I took last year.

Q: You set rushing records at Springdale. What did it mean to put your name in the record book?

A: Springdale for the last 20 years has a reputation of winning and running the ball to do so. There was a lot of good players to come through Springdale’s program. For me to set a couple records means a lot to me in knowing that my name will stick with that program for a while.

Q: What was your fondest high-school memory?

A: I was really fortunate to be in a program that had such a great tradition. There are a lot of memories that I have, but I think I would have to say playing Clairton my sophomore and junior season were my fondest memories. Although we didn’t win, it was a chance to play the best Class A team in the country, and we played four quarter games against them each year.

Q: Which team did you consider your biggest rival in high school?

A: I would say my biggest rival was Riverview, because they were right across the Allegheny River. I was lucky enough to go 4-0 against them.

Q: Who is your favorite NFL player, past or present?

A: My favorite player would have to be James Harrison.

Q: From which movie can you quote nearly every line?

A: The Hangover.

Q: What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

A: My favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing.