On Dec. 19, 2023, the Marist football program announced the hiring of the fifth head coach in program history after the departure of long-time head coach Jim Parady. His name is Mike Willis and his mission is simple; play fast, physical and together.
Before becoming the head coach at Marist College, the New Jersey native had some connections to the College. His grandfather, Anthony Campilii, worked at Marist for 43 years as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Business Affairs. Willis came back to Marist in June 2022 for an exposure camp and was blown away by the facilities, along with the transformation of the campus over the past handful of years.
Willis spent his whole football career playing and coaching at Princeton, playing as an offensive lineman from 2010-2013 for the Tigers. After his three years at Princeton, Willis worked in New York City for a year. Willis then experienced what he refers to as a “quarter-life crisis,” as he realized he needed to return to football as a coach.
“[I] realized I didn’t want to be a lawyer,” said Willis. “I had the opportunity to coach and go back to Princeton as a quality control coach intern for the 2015 season.”
During his nine seasons at Princeton, Willis received four coaching promotions, eventually making it up to offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. The Tigers won four Ivy League Championships with Willis on the coaching staff and posted a 40-10 record in his final 50 games with the program. As offensive coordinator, Willis led the Tigers to a 22-8 overall record with a 15-6 record in Ivy League play, in addition to coaching 23 All-Ivy League players.
With all of that success at an Ivy League institution, it is fair to wonder what attracted Willis to Marist. For him, the answer is simple: he was impressed by the people he met during the interview process, as well as the infrastructure in place.
“I met with our College President Kevin Weinman, met with [Athletic Director] Tim Murray and Alyssa Gates in our student-athlete enhancement center and really encountered the whole team,” said Willis. “In addition to our current players who were so hungry to win, it became very clear that Marist has everything you need to build a high academic division one football program.”
Willis has always dreamed of becoming a Division I Head Coach, and on Dec. 19, it became a reality. He makes sure not to forget the people who helped him along his journey.
“I’ve gotten [hired as a head coach[ earlier than most, that isn’t lost on me,” said Willis. “I have that opportunity because I’ve worked with unbelievable players, had great mentors and had great people I got to work with during my time as the offensive coordinator at Princeton.”
In his opening interview with Marist play-by-play commentator Geoff Brault, Willis touched on the type of culture he wants to bring to Poughkeepsie. Having his team play fast, physical and together are the three main pillars of his philosophy.
“Fast [players] are people who have clear, concise coaching points and schemes that allow them to take advantage of that speed,” said Willis. “Physicality, that’s born in the weight room and then from a commitment to stopping the run, recruiting big strong people to accomplish that. Then being together is about your shared obligation to your teammates.”
All three of these pillars will need to become evident within the program if Willis hopes to turn around a team that had a 4-7 record last season. Willis believes that the process begins with having his players realize how much of a privilege it is to be a Red Fox.
Throughout the offseason, many high school recruits and transfers have posted on their “X” accounts that they have committed to Marist. Willis touched upon the transfer portal for Marist this offseason and what he looks for in high school recruits and transfer players in general.
A player who sticks out in the incoming transfer class is quarterback Matt O’Dowd, a transfer from LSU. O’Dowd did not see the field due to Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels. Having a quarterback from a Power 5 school is something that does not go unnoticed.
“When you really look at it, [bringing in transfers is] a very, very small percentage of what we’re doing right now,” said Willis. “If you’re not a good person, it’s just very difficult to build on any other building block. What I look for are really strong recommendations of your character not just from football coaches, but from anybody in the building.”
For Willis, he summed up his Marist experience in one word: “promising.” He will put his vision to the test when the Red Foxes open up the season on Sept. 7 at home against Georgetown.
Edited by Marley Pope and Luke Sassa
Graphic by Cara Lacey; Photos from Marist Athletics
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