January 13, 2000
EASTON, PA - Lafayette College has named Michael Faragalli the
Leopards' new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Faragalli most recently served as the offensive coordinator at NCAA
Division I-A Bowling Green State University eight of the past nine
seasons.
Faragalli sandwiched two four-year stints as the offensive coordinator
at Bowling Green around one season as the head coach of the
Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts in 1995. In fact,
Faragalli has a wealth of CFL experience, serving as the offensive
coordinator with three different clubs from 1985-1990.
"Mike Faragalli has a tremendous coaching background in all areas,
with expertise in recruiting and coaching offense, especially the
quarterbacks," said Lafayette Director of Athletics Dr. Eve Atkinson.
"I believe he is an outstanding addition to the football program and
with Head Coach Frank Tavani's leadership, will be the added spark
for our offense."
"I am pleased to have been able to hire someone with such an
extensive background as an offensive coordinator," said Frank Tavani,
who was named Lafayette's head football coach on Dec. 11, 1999.
"Most importantly though, his national recruiting experience will be an
immediate asset to the Lafayette football program."
Faragalli guided an explosive offensive attack at Bowling Green. The
Falcons led the Mid-American Conference in scoring offense in four of
his eight seasons and never ranked lower than third in total offense.
He played a significant role in the development of Bowling Green
quarterbacks Erik White, the conference MVP in 1991 and 1992, and
Ryan Henry, fourth on the MAC list with 46 career touchdown passes.
"I am excited about the opportunity to coach at a school like
Lafayette and to work with Coach Tavani," said Faragalli. "This
program is so rich with tradition. I am honored to become a part of
that. As a Philadelphia native, it is also exciting to be returning to the
area."
Under Faragalli's guidance, Bowling Green ranked 13th in the nation
in rushing offense and led the MAC in scoring offense in the 1998
season. He helped lead the Falcons to two bowl championships -- the
California Raisin Bowl in 1991 and the Las Vegas Bowl in 1992. Both
seasons, Bowling Green captured the Mid-American Conference
Championship.
Prior to his tenure at Bowling Green, Faragalli spent three seasons as
the offensive coordinator at Edmonton in the CFL under his father,
Joe. Edmonton advanced to the Western Conference title game in
each of Faragalli's three seasons. He also played a role in the
development of quarterback Tracy Ham, the CFL Most Valuable
Player in 1989, helping lead the Eskimos to the Grey Cup.
The Philadelphia, PA native also served as the offensive coordinator
for one season in Montreal and two in Hamilton. While with Hamilton,
he helped lead the Tiger-Cats to the Eastern Conference
Championship and an appearance in the Grey Cup game each
season.
He began his coaching career at the University of Rhode Island in
1979 and later coached at University of Wisconsin - Madison and the
College of William and Mary. He coached the receivers during each of
those three stints.
A 1980 graduate of Rhode Island with a bachelor of arts degree in
secondary education, Faragalli played defensive back for the Rams'
football team.
Faragalli and his wife, Kathy, have four children, Joseph, 16, Phillip,
13, Theresa, 10, and Laura, 8.
