Breaking News: Ithaca College's Head Football Coach, Michael Toerper, is Moving On!
It's a bittersweet moment for Ithaca College football fans as Head Coach Michael Toerper prepares to leave South Hill. After four impressive seasons leading the Bombers, he's accepted the defensive coordinator position at Cornell University. This move marks the end of a highly successful era for Ithaca College football, but also opens an exciting new chapter.
"We are incredibly grateful for Mike's leadership and the competitive excellence he brought to our football program," stated Aaron Bouyea, the director of intercollegiate athletics.
Toerper himself expressed his gratitude: "I am incredibly grateful for my time at Ithaca College and for the opportunity to lead this program...The future is bright on South Hill and we will always be supporting the Bombers!"
During his tenure, Toerper built significant momentum for the program, both on and off the field. The Bombers are now well-positioned for continued success.
A Legacy of Success
Since becoming the 11th head coach in 2022, Toerper led Ithaca to remarkable achievements, including two Liberty League championships and a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA postseason. His first year was particularly stellar, with an undefeated regular season (a first in almost 40 seasons!) and a memorable Cortaca Jug victory at Yankee Stadium.
This success earned Toerper multiple Coach of the Year awards, including AFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year and D3football.com Region 2 Coach of the Year.
Under Toerper's leadership, the Bombers achieved a program-best winning percentage of .778 ( 35-10 overall), with a stellar 23-2 record within Liberty League play.
Seven student-athletes were named Liberty League Players of the Year, and the Bombers earned six All-America honors. Notably, 2023 graduate Derek Slywka even signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts and is currently playing in the Canadian Football League.
In 2023, the Bombers repeated as Liberty League champions, and this fall, they secured a victory in the 66th Cortaca Jug Game.
Before his head coaching role, Toerper served as the defensive coordinator from 2017-19. During this time, Ithaca consistently achieved eight wins per season.
Over his seven seasons at Ithaca College, the Bombers' defense was a force to be reckoned with, never allowing more than 20 points per game in a season and ranking in the top 25 nationally in that category five times.
What's Next?
A national search for the next head coach of the Ithaca College football program will begin immediately.
What do you think? Are you excited about the future of Ithaca College football? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Do you think Toerper's departure will significantly impact the team's performance? Let's discuss!
