Ithaca College Football Coach Michael Toerper Announces Departure
Ithaca College has announced the departure of head football coach Michael Toerper. He will take on the role of defensive coordinator at Cornell University. Toerper has been instrumental in the Bombers’ success over the past four years.
Coaching Legacy and Achievements
Aaron Bouyea, the director of intercollegiate athletics, expressed gratitude for Toerper’s contributions. Under his leadership, the Bombers enjoyed notable achievements:
- Two Liberty League championships.
- A quarterfinals appearance in the NCAA postseason.
- An undefeated regular season in 2022—the first in almost 40 years.
Record and Honors
Toerper’s impressive record stands at 35 wins and 10 losses, giving him the highest winning percentage in Ithaca College history at .778. Within the Liberty League, his record was remarkable at 23 wins and just 2 losses.
His coaching prowess earned him several accolades, including:
- AFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year.
- D3football.com Region 2 Coach of the Year.
- Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year.
Student-Athlete Development
Under Toerper’s guidance, seven student-athletes were recognized as Liberty League Players of the Year. Additionally, the Bombers earned six All-America honors. Notably, 2023 graduate Derek Slywka secured a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts and currently plays for the Toronto Argonauts.
Recent Season Success
In 2023, the Bombers repeated as Liberty League champions, finishing the season with a 9-3 record. This past fall, the team posted an 8-2 record, highlighted by a victory in the iconic Cortaca Jug Game—their first win in the rivalry since 2022.
Before the Head Coaching Role
Before becoming head coach, Toerper served as the Bombers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2019. During that time, the team never yielded more than 20 points per game in a season, ranking among the top 25 nationally in that statistic for five seasons.
The Future of Ithaca College Football
With Toerper’s departure, Ithaca College will initiate a national search for his successor. The program remains in a strong position, with a bright future anticipated for the Bombers.
