EASTON, Pa. – John Troxell, the Fred M. Kirby II '42 Head Football Coach, has signed an extension that will keep him at the helm of the Leopards' program through 2031.
Troxell, who took over in December 2021, has already left his mark. His teams consistently have been in contention for Patriot League titles while ascending national rankings. In his time on College Hill, Troxell has mentored 38 All-Patriot League selections, including the 2022 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year (Malik Hamm) and the 2023 Rookie of the Year (Jaylon Joseph) while overseeing six All-America selections.
"Coach Troxell has consistently raised the bar since taking over our football program four years ago. He has rallied our alumni base and rejuvenated our program by bringing in a talented staff which has recruited and developed some of the best student-athletes in the country," said Lafayette Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman. "Trox has helped guide us to new heights, while exhibiting all of the qualities that a leader of young men should possess. We're excited to have him leading our program on College Hill for the foreseeable future."
The Leopards' most recent campaign ended with an 8-4 record and second-place conference finish (6-1), despite being picked fifth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll and returning just one starter on defense. Lafayette broke into the Top 25 polls for the third-straight season and won six conference games for the first time in program history. The offense featured a 1000-yard rusher for a third-straight campaign, also setting a school record for rushing touchdowns in a season (20). The Leopards placed 11 on the All-Patriot League teams.
In 2024, Lafayette climbed as high as No. 14 in the Top-25 metrics, after advancing to No. 16 in 2023. Troxell's second season (2023) saw him guide the Maroon and White to a Patriot League title, the program's first in 10 seasons. That team won nine games (the most in more than 40 years). Accordingly, Troxell was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year.
"I would like to thank President Hurd and Sherryta Freeman for their belief in our vision as we continue to partner together to raise Lafayette Football to new heights," Troxell said. "I am so grateful and humbled to be able to coach incredible student athletes and to lead a program that has such a storied past and a future with endless possibilities."
Lafayette will begin its spring football season on March 24 with the Maroon and White Spring Showcase at 11 a.m. on April 25 at Fisher Stadium. The regular season is slated to kick off on Aug. 29 at Georgetown.
