Mike Willis was hired as the fifth head coach in the history of the Marist football program on Dec. 19, 2023. The 2025 season will mark his second at Marist, as the program has made gains athletically, academically, and from a fundraising standpoint.
In Willis' first season, Jackson Conners-McCarthy was named an Honorable Mention FCS All-American by The Associated Press. Conners-McCarthy was one of three Marist FCS Freshman All-Americans, as he was joined by James Kratochvil and Nate Robinson Jr. This total was the highest in program history. Kratochvil was named PFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Red Foxes has one First Team All-PFL selection (Dominic Perricone) and two Second Team All-PFL selections (Conners-McCarthy, Tristan Shannon). Additionally, he aided in the development of Sonny Mannino, who started the year in a reserve role and ended with an Honorable Mention All-PFL selection at the all-purpose position after tying the single-game school records for passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. Mohamed Diawara and Miles Kauderer, who both served as team captains, were selected to play in the Dream Bowl.
The program enjoyed an outstanding 2024-25 school year in the classroom. A program-record 83 Red Foxes were named to the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll. Chris Leonardo was named to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team. Both Leonardo and Gannon McCorkle were First Team PFL All-Academic Team selections, while Tristan Shannon was named to the Second Team. Six Red Foxes (Leonardo, McCorkle, Sean Coverdale, David LaFears, Brandon Furey, Kade Werner) were named CSC Academic All-District. The team's Spring 2025 semester GPA of 3.405 was its best in program history, and the program's three best semester GPAs have taken place in Willis's first three semesters at the helm.
Additionally, Willis was instrumental in the formation of the Marist Touchdown Club, Marist's first formal football alumni association. In 2025, the program broke its single-day fundraising record.
Willis came to Marist after having served as Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator at his alma mater, Princeton University. He spent nine years on the Tigers’ staff after a playing career at Princeton that spanned from 2010-13. Between his time as a player and coach, Willis has been part of four Ivy League championships. His tenure at Princeton has been characterized by outstanding team and individual achievements. The Tigers have posted a 40-10 record in Willis’ last 50 games on staff over the last five seasons.
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. The following year, Princeton went 8-2 and was in Ivy League title contention until the season’s final week. The Tigers led the Ivy League in scoring offense and ranked second in passing offense in 2022.
Willis began his coaching career in 2015 at Princeton as an intern on the defensive side of the ball. He earned four promotions on the Tigers’ coaching staff. In 2016, he was promoted to tight ends coach, as he became one of the nation’s youngest position coaches. He was promoted to assistant head coach in 2017, was named recruiting coordinator in 2019, and then became offensive coordinator in 2020.
Princeton won the Ivy League championship in 2016. The following year saw Willis help the Tigers rank in the Football Championship Subdivision’s top five in passing, scoring, and total offense as Princeton broke the Ivy League record for passing yardage. The 2018 season was a historic one, as Princeton won the Ivy League title and went undefeated for the first time since 1964. Princeton was ranked as high as eighth nationally, and the Tigers set an Ivy League record with 470 points scored in 2018.
In each of Willis’ first six seasons coaching tight ends, Princeton had an All-Ivy League performer. Carson Bobo was a three-time honoree, Graham Adomitis earned the honor twice, and Scott Carpenter was recognized once.
Adomitis was one of seven Princeton offensive players who signed an NFL contract in the last six seasons. This list also includes wide receiver Andrei Iosivas, who was a sixth-round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2023 NFL Draft. Iosivas was the only Ivy League student-athlete chosen in the 2023 draft, and he was just the third Ivy League selection to the Senior Bowl in the event’s history.
Willis was part of current Princeton head coach Bob Surace’s first recruiting class for the 2010 season. In Willis’ time as a student-athlete at Princeton, the program engineered a dramatic and lasting turnaround, going from a 1-9 record his freshman year to an Ivy League championship his senior year in 2013. In the 2013 season, Princeton set the Ivy League record for total offense. Beginning with the 2013 season, Princeton has won four league championships – with Willis having a hand in all of them – and has finished .500 or better every year since. Willis majored in Sociology at Princeton.
Willis and his wife, Maggie, are the parents of their son, Campbell (3), and daughter, Michaela (born in Feb. 2025).
2010-13: Offensive Lineman, Princeton
2015: Defensive Intern, Princeton
2016: Tight Ends Coach, Princeton
2017-19: Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends, Princeton
2020-23: Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends, Princeton
Coach Willis’s emphasis on success on and off the field will make him an excellent addition to the Marist community. 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 lead 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.
Kevin Weinman
President, Marist College
Mike was impressive in many areas during the search process. His energy and passion for football was clearly contagious in his presentation to everyone he met with on campus. Mike’s academic and football backgrounds have prepared him well to build on our football program with student athletes who are looking for a competitive academic program and championship football. I appreciate both the athletics and campus communities for their energy and engagement with the search process.
Tim Murray
Director of Athletics, Marist College
Mike is a champion, in every sense of the word. As a husband and father, as a coach and leader of young men, Mike exemplifies all that is right in college athletics. Not only has he had championship success as a player and coach, he has a clear vision of what it takes to be successful, and the work ethic to achieve it. Princeton will always be home for Mike, and he will be sorely missed here. But the future is incredibly bright for Marist football.
John Mack
Ford Family Director of Athletics, Princeton University
In 13 of my 14 seasons at Princeton, Mike Willis has experienced nearly every role possible in our program. He was in my first recruiting class and after what Mike refers to as his “gap year” (while working for one of my teammates/classmates from Princeton) he returned as an intern helping our defensive staff. He did a great job and quickly earned promotions to position coach, recruiting coordinator and then offensive coordinator in 2020. In addition to the personal success he achieved with each responsibility and team success that Princeton had during this time, I am thrilled that Marist is getting an even better person to lead their program
Bob Surace
Head Football Coach, Princeton University
Mike Willis is one of the rising stars in the coaching profession. He has been an integral part of the success of Princeton football, both on and off the field, over the past 10 seasons. His high energy, enthusiasm, and passion for the game will be evident in how his team plays weekly. He is an excellent tactician, teacher, and recruiter who always has the student-athlete's interests in mind. Mike's teams will be well-prepared, and he will find ways to bring out the best in his players.
Steve Verbit
Senior Associate Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator, Princeton University
Mike Willis is an excellent coach. He is a proven winner and has a track record as an innovative offensive mind. Having coached and worked with Mike, I know first-hand how much he cares for the guys on his team. I am excited for Marist players - they are getting a great person as their head coach.
James Perry
Head Football Coach, Brown University
