April 1, 2003
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette head football coach Frank Tavani announced the hiring of Michael Columbo as an assistant coach who will work with tight ends and the offensive line.
Columbo joins the Leopards after spending the previous season as the offensive line coach at Kean University in Union, N.J. He was responsible for the entire run game and pass protection schemes. Two of his players were named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Star team, while Cougar tailback Jamar Reynolds led the league in rushing in 2002.
Columbo was named the offensive coordinator at Kean in December of 2002 and was responsible for recruiting northern New Jersey.
"We're pleased and fortunate to add someone of Mike's caliber to our staff," Tavani said. "He brings plenty of experience both on the high school and collegiate level to our program. He has strong experience working with the offensive line and will be a great help to Bob Heffner in that area."
Prior to his time at Kean, Columbo served four years as the head coach of Summit High School in Summit, N.J., leading the squad to back-to-back state playoff appearances in 2000 and 2001.
Columbo also spent time as the head coach at Manchester Regional High School in Haledon, N.J. He earned Coach of the Year honors twice, and his team finished as the state runner-up in 1996.
A 1985 graduate of Southern Connecticut State, Columbo was a three-year starter at offensive guard and played under Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. Columbo was named an honorable mention to the Walter Camp All-America Team and earned All-ECAC and All-New England honors.
Lafayette recorded the second-best turnaround among NCAA Division I-AA programs this past season. After finishing with a 2-8 overall record in 2001 and being picked seventh in the Patriot League's preseason poll, the Leopards improved by five victories to go 7-5 overall and 5-2 in the Patriot League for a third-place finish. Lafayette's only two league losses were to co-champions Colgate and Fordham, each by a margin of just one touchdown.
Lafayette is currently in the middle of spring practices, with the Maroon-White Spring Game scheduled for April 26 at 1 p.m. at Fisher Field.
