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| Mike Cerasuolo has been running the Springfield triple-option offense and now will be in charge of the entire program. Springfield athletics photo |
Mike Cerasuolo has been named the next head football coach at Springfield. The offensive coordinator over the past 15 years, Cerasulo replaces Mike DeLong, who retired in November after 201 wins in 32 seasons as head coach. He is just the fifth coach the program has had in the past 70 years.
The Pride went 4-6 this past season, 2-5 in the Liberty League.
"I am so thankful and humbled at the opportunity to be the next head football coach at Springfield College. I want to thank President Cooper, Dr. Poisson, and the search committee for their due diligence during this process," said Cerasuolo. "I've had many mentors help me to this point in my career, including Mike DeLong and Jack Holik, who have provided the foundation and standard for which we will continue to build our program. To mentor our dedicated student-athletes who work so hard is why I pursued this position, and I look forward to carrying on the tradition and legacy of Springfield College football that will make our alumni network proud."
With Cerasuolo devising the game plans, the Pride has established itself as one of the premier rushing offenses in Division III football. Under his direction, the Pride has won five national rushing titles, including most recently in 2011, while the offensive unit has eclipsed the 40-point mark 35 times, the 50-point plateau 16 times and the 60 point mark on 10 occasions. During his tenure, Springfield has had five offensive players earn D3football.com All-America honors.
"Coach Cerasuolo is dedicated to the spirit, mind, and body of our student-athletes. While he deeply cares about their performance on the field, he has developed compassionate individuals who are involved in the community, as evidenced by his leadership with Team Impact and the LukeStronger movement. What a wonderful opportunity for him to lead a program that he once played for, and under his watch, carry on the special tradition of Springfield College football," explained Mary-Beth Cooper, Springfield president.
A sought-after clinician, Cerasuolo has also done great work off the field for the Pride. Under his leadership, the Pride has become heavily involved with Team IMPACT and has had three members of the football program be marrow donors through the Be The Match program.
"The way that Coach Cerasuolo has carried himself on the sidelines, in the classroom, and in the community is symbiotic with Springfield College, its mission of developing leaders, and its athletic program," said Dr. Poisson. "As we look to the future with Coach Cerasuolo as the new head coach and the upcoming transition into the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference, this is a very exciting time for Springfield College football."
A 1993 Springfield graduate and a native of Northboro, Mass., Cerasuolo was the offensive coordinator at Division II Mansfield during the 2000 season, where he was also in charge of the offensive line, quarterbacks, tight ends, short snappers, holders, and kick returners. Prior to Mansfield, Cerasuolo held offensive coordinator positions at Alfred, Lebanon Valley, and Cortland, was the offensive line and tight ends coach at Maine, and defensive line coach at Ithaca.
A standout center, Cerasuolo was named Springfield's most valuable offensive player during his senior year, was a two-time Division II All-New England selection, and a 1992 Associated Press and New England College Football Writers' Association All-Star. After earning his bachelor's degree in physical education from Springfield, Cerasuolo went on to receive his master's degree in sport pedagogy from Ithaca in 1995.
Mike and his wife, Tracy, reside in Hampden, Mass. with their two daughters.