POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist head football coach Mike Willis has announced the first hire to his coaching staff. Mike Horan will serve as the Red Foxes' defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
Horan (pronounced HOR-in) comes to Marist from Harvard, where the Crimson enjoyed tremendous team success and earned numerous individual accolades. At Harvard, Horan won five Ivy League championships (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023) and enjoyed an undefeated season in 2014. He coached four Bushnell Cup winners as Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Mike, his wife Susie, and his sons Thomas and George to Marist," Willis said. "Mike is a transformative leader, teacher, and relationship builder. I've been fortunate to know Mike for 14 years and compete against him every year during our time in the Ivy League. His defensive line unit was consistently the best in FCS football, and the defenses he helped build were among the finest in the nation. I am so excited for him to coordinate our defense; he knows how to recruit and develop elite student-athletes. We are fortunate to have Mike on the Marist Football staff and in the Marist College community. Marist College Football got better today!"
Horan spent the last 12 years as Harvard's defensive line coach. In this time, the Crimson had the top aggregate defensive unit in the Ivy League and posted an overall record of 80-30. Harvard ranked first in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in rushing defense three times, led the FCS in sacks twice, and was first in the FCS in scoring defense once. He coached 21 All-Ivy defensive linemen over the last dozen years. Horan has been responsible for recruiting the southwest region of the country, and he has recruited two Harvard captains and seven All-Ivy players since 2016.
"My family and I are thrilled to join Marist Football," Horan said. "Coach Willis' core values, vision for success, and his enthusiasm for winning contributed to our desire to join his program. The shared experience of competing in the Ivy League since 2009 creates a strong foundation upon which we can collectively build the next chapter of Red Fox football."
Prior to his time as Harvard's defensive line coach, Horan was the Crimson's assistant defensive line coach from 2009-11. In 2011, he coached Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year Josue Ortiz and helped the Crimson win the Ivy League championship.
Horan's coaching resume also includes positions at Wagner (2008, defensive backs), The United States Merchant Marine Academy (2007, linebackers), Curry (2006, tight ends), and Stoughton High School (2005, defensive coordinator/defensive backs).
In his playing career at Bates College, Horan was a senior captain and a two-time All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) selection at safety. He was an All-ECAC selection in 2004.
Horan and his wife, Susie, have two sons, Thomas (6) and George (4). Susie was a Division I field hockey standout at Holy Cross.
"Mike Horan is committed all the way through and brings great energy to all that he does. He cares deeply about the game of football and about developing his players as athletes and as people. He constantly looks for ways to be better and to make others better."
Erin McDermott
John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics, Harvard University
"In Coach Horan's 15 seasons at Harvard, the football program has won 74% of its games and earned five Ivy League titles. The most critical factor in that success has been the consistently dominant play of our defensive line. Coach Horan is a master strategist, a detailed teacher, and most importantly a compassionate and dedicated mentor. Marist has made an outstanding selection in choosing him to the leader of their defense."
Scott Larkee
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach, Harvard University
"I've never met anyone who loves football as much as Coach Horan and nobody could ever question his work ethic. He genuinely cared about our team and the players within his defensive line room. Coach always wore his heart on his sleeve. I wouldn't have wanted to play for anyone else. I'm forever grateful for our shared experiences!"
Nate Leskovec
149th Harvard University Football Captain
"I spent 10 years with Mike, and I'm not sure there's a sharper football mind I've been around. He's tremendous with the X's and O's and a great developer of young men on and off the field. He's a great hire for Marist College."
Jon Poppe
Patricia & Shepard Alexander Head Coach of Football, Columbia University
"Mike Horan is a terrific coach and motivator, and Marist is fortunate to have him!"
Tim Murphy
Head Coach, Harvard University
The Marist football program was founded in 1965 and attained varsity status in 1978. The Red Foxes joined the Division I-AA (now Football Championship Subdivision) ranks in 1993. Marist has competed in the Pioneer Football League since 2009. The Red Foxes have won conference championships in 1990, 1994, 2006, 2007, and 2013. Two Marist football players, Jason Myers and Terrence Fede, have competed in NFL games. Myers is currently the Seattle Seahawks' placekicker, and he is a nine-year NFL veteran who has been selected to the Pro Bowl twice.
