Ithaca College has announced that head football coach Michael Toerper is moving on to become the defensive coordinator at Cornell University. Toerper has been with the Ithaca Bombers for four impactful seasons, during which he led the team to notable successes.
Athletic director Aaron Bouyea expressed gratitude for Toerper’s leadership. “Mike brought competitive excellence to our program,” he said. Under Toerper, the Bombers not only excelled on the field but also developed talented student-athletes, raising the standard for Ithaca College football.
Toerper reflected on his time at Ithaca with appreciation. “It’s been a privilege to work with these young men,” he said. He noted that the memories created during his tenure will last a lifetime. He also emphasized his support for the Bombers’ future.
Over the past few years, Toerper has left the program in a strong position. His leadership helped build momentum in various areas, including recruitment and student-athlete development. The Bombers seem well-prepared for continued success as they transition into this new chapter.
Since taking the head coach position in 2022, Toerper guided Ithaca to two Liberty League championships, one of which was remarkable—an undefeated regular season, the first in nearly 40 years. That season included a 12–1 record and a significant win at the Cortaca Jug game held at Yankee Stadium. For his efforts, Toerper received several coaching awards.
His winning percentage of .778 is the best in the program’s history. Under his guidance, seven players earned Liberty League Player of the Year honors, and six received All-America distinctions. Notably, 2023 graduate Derek Slywka signed with the Indianapolis Colts and is now playing for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League.
In 2023, the Bombers repeated as Liberty League champions and entered the postseason with a record of 9-3. This fall, they ended the season with an impressive 8-2 record and reclaimed the Cortaca Jug, marking the first victory in that rivalry since 2022.
Before his time as head coach, Toerper was the defensive coordinator for three seasons. During that period, the Bombers achieved eight wins each year, and several defensive players earned All-American status, including Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Minogue.
Throughout Toerper’s tenure, the Bombers’ defense was remarkable, never conceding more than 20 points per game in a season and consistently ranking among the nation’s best in that category.
Now, Ithaca College will conduct a national search for the next head coach, aiming to continue the positive trajectory of its football program.
For more insights on athletic coaching transitions and their impact on college sports, refer to NCAA reports.
