Michael Fredericks Toerper (born June 9, 1986) is an American college football coach. He is the head football coach for Ithaca College, a position he has held since 2022.

Michael Toerper
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamIthaca
ConferenceLiberty
Record27–8
Biographical details
Born (1986-06-09) June 9, 1986 (age 38)
York, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Playing career
2005–2008Pittsburgh
Position(s)Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2009Duquesne (DA)
2010–2012Johns Hopkins (WR)
2013Johns Hopkins (ST/DB)
2014–2016Johns Hopkins (ST/DB/RC)
2017–2019Ithaca (DC)
2020–2021Holy Cross (S)
2022–presentIthaca
Head coaching record
Overall27–8
Tournaments3–2 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 Liberty (2022–2023)
Awards
AFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year (2022)
D3football.com Region 2 Coach of the Year (2022)
Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year (2022)

Playing career

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Toerper played high school football for Central York High in York, Pennsylvania. He played receiver and defensive back as he tallied 100 tackles and eight interceptions in his final two seasons. He also added 73 receptions for 832 yards and seven touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. He also played basketball and volleyball.[1]

Toerper played college football for Pittsburgh. During his four-year stretch with the Panthers he played in 36 games mainly on special teams. He played in a career-high twelve games and had six tackles in 2007.[1]

Coaching career

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Toerper began his coaching career with Duquesne as a defensive assistant in 2009 before joining Johns Hopkins as the team's wide receivers coach in 2010.[2] He spent his first three seasons as a wide receivers coach before becoming the special teams coordinator and defensive back coach in 2013 while adding also recruiting coordinator duties in 2014.[3] The team won the Centennial Conference all seven years he was part of the staff.[4]

In 2017, Toerper joined Ithaca as the team's defensive coordinator.[5] In his first season he held opposing teams to a team-low, since 2012, 15.3 points per game and 284.6 yards per game. Seven members of the defense went on to earn Liberty League postseason awards.[6]

In 2020, Toerper was named safeties coach for Division I FCS Holy Cross.[7][8] He helped lead the defense and team to its first-ever FCS playoff victory over Sacred Heart.[9]

In 2022, Toerper rejoined Ithaca after Dan Swanstrom announced his departure from the team.[10][11] In his first season with the team he finished 12–1, which was good enough for 1st in the Liberty League.[12] He helped lead the team past Cortland in the 63rd Cortaca Jug at Yankee Stadium in front of 40,232 fans.[13][14] The team had its first undefeated regular season since 1986 and capped off the season with a trip to the Division III playoffs.[15] In the first round the team beat UMass Dartmouth 63–20.[16] After beating Springfield 31–20 they would eventually lose to the eventual Division III champions North Central (IL) 7–48.[17][18][19] Sixteen players were named to All-Liberty League teams following the season.[20]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs AFCA#
Ithaca Bombers (Liberty League) (2022–present)
2022 Ithaca 12–1 6–0 1st L NCAA Division III Quarterfinal 10
2023 Ithaca 9–3 6–0 1st L NCAA Division III Second Round 18
2024 Ithaca 6–4 5–1 2nd
Ithaca: 27–8 17–1
Total: 27–8
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ a b "Michael Toerper - Football". Pitt Panthers #H2P. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Allentuck, Danielle. "Ithaca College football team hires new defensive coordinator | The Ithacan". theithacan.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  3. ^ Bodani, Frank. "Central York grad coaches like it's the greatest job". York Daily Record. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Mike Toerper - Football Coach". Johns Hopkins University Athletics. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "Michael Toerper Tabbed as Defensive Coordinator for Football Program". Ithaca College Athletics. February 22, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Pitcher, Glenn (February 22, 2022). "WATCH: Ithaca Football Team Gets Hyped For Familiar Face Head Coach". 98.1 The Hawk. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "Michael Toerper selected as next Head Coach of Ithaca Football". libertyleagueathletics.com. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Doherty, Dan (February 23, 2022). "Ithaca College names Toerper new head coach - Tompkins Weekly". Tompkins Weekly -. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  9. ^ "Michael Toerper - Safeties Coach - Football Coaches". Holy Cross Athletics. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  10. ^ Mumau, Tommy. "Ithaca College football coach announces exit from program | The Ithacan". theithacan.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Charde, Aidan; Mumau, Tommy. "Former IC defensive coordinator named new head coach of football program | The Ithacan". theithacan.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  12. ^ "2022 Football Schedule". Ithaca College Athletics. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  13. ^ "2022 Cortaca Jug Game at Yankee Stadium between Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland to kick off at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12". MLB.com. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "Ithaca takes down Cortland in 63rd Cortaca Jug Game at Yankee Stadium". WSYR. November 13, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  15. ^ "Ithaca College football punches ticket to DIII quarterfinals". WSYR. November 27, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "Mass-Dartmouth Corsairs at Ithaca Bombers - NCAAF Odds - Nov 19, 2022 | USA TODAY". sportsdata.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "No. 9/10 Football Overcomes Early Deficit to Defeat Springfield, 31-20, in NCAA Second Round". Ithaca College Athletics. November 26, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  18. ^ NCAA 2nd Round - Ithaca vs. Springfield, retrieved March 20, 2023
  19. ^ "Live: Updates for Ithaca College football vs North Central College". theithacan.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "Ithaca Football Cleans Up Liberty League Yearly Awards". Ithaca College Athletics. November 15, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
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