Mike Willis, the newly appointed head football coach at Marist College, is gearing up for his first official season leading a Division I team this fall, determined to take the Marist football program to new heights and eager to showcase the school's dedicated student-athletes with the world.
"For me, when considering this role, it became less about why Marist and more about why not Marist," said Willis. "Marist is a tremendous school that does an unbelievable job of blending a liberal arts education with educational experiences and opportunities that are going to set students up for success, not just for a great four years for the but for the next 40 years of their lives.”
The New Jersey native joins Marist after nine seasons as an assistant coach at Princeton University, his alma mater. His hire follows the Nov. 29, 2023, retirement of Jim Parady, who led the Marist program for 32 years and had been the longest-tenured active head coach in Division I football.
A former offensive lineman, Willis admits he was drawn to the new position because of the unique qualities of the College’s mission, emphasizing Marist's commitment to providing a well-rounded education and a full DI athletic experience.
"Coach Willis's emphasis on success on and off the field makes him an excellent addition to the Marist community," said Marist President Kevin Weinman. "He joins Marist at an exciting time as our new strategic plan infuses athletics throughout many of its priorities and the College is positioned for a major leap forward. I am convinced Marist's football program will reach new heights under his leadership, building upon all that Coach Parady, his staff, and our student-athletes have accomplished."
When asked about his coaching philosophy, Willis emphasizes the importance of recruiting and developing the best student-athlete while creating a strong and cohesive team. He aims to build a program that the Marist community can be proud of.
"We want to recruit and retain the best student-athletes in the country and develop them to reach their full potential on and off the field," Willis said. "When people watch us play, I hope they'll see a football team that is fast, physical, and together in everything that they do."
Willis was Princeton's offensive coordinator for the past three seasons. During that time, the Tigers went 22-8 overall with a 15-6 record in Ivy League play while Willis coached 23 All-Ivy League players. In 2021, Princeton won the Ivy League championship, went 9-1 overall, set a program record with 10 First Team Ivy League selections, and led the Ancient Eight in scoring at 33.4 points per game.
As Willis embarks on this new chapter and looks ahead toward the upcoming football season, he is eager to make his mark on the program. His passion for football and dedication to his players is evident.
Willis shared, "My time at Marist has been exceptionally rewarding. The student-athletes, faculty, administrators, and Marist community have made me, and my family, feel at home. I am so energized by everyone's investment and excitement. I wake up every day thrilled to be the head football coach at Marist!"