WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross football team has named
Michael Toerper its new safeties coach, as announced by head coach
Bob Chesney. Toerper joins the Crusaders after spending the last three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Ithaca College.
Over the last three years, Toerper helped lead Ithaca to an overall record of 24-9 with three straight winning seasons. During the 2019 campaign, his defense allowed 19.5 points and 348.8 total yards per game. Six of the Bombers' defensive players were selected All-Liberty League, with linebacker Nick Garone and defensive lineman John Hadac both earning All-America honors.
In 2018, Toerper's defense ranked eighth in the nation in rushing defense (65.8 yards per game), 16th in scoring defense (12.8 points per game), 17th in third down defense (28.5 percent) and 19th in total defense (259.5 yards per game). Ithaca placed all 11 of its defensive starters on the All-Liberty League teams, with linebacker Pat Minogue being named the Defensive Player of the Year and receiving first team All-America honors. During Toerper's first year with the Bombers in 2017, his defense gave up 15.3 points and 284.6 total yards per game and had seven All-Liberty League selections.
Prior to his time at Ithaca, Toerper spent seven seasons on the coaching staff at Johns Hopkins University from 2010-2016. He served as the wide receivers coach from 2010-2012, was elevated to special teams coordinator and secondary coach in 2013 and also took over as the recruiting coordinator in 2014. The Blue Jays went 73-9 overall during Toerper's time with the program, winning seven straight Centennial Conference championships and making six NCAA playoff appearances. Among the players he coached were 2010 Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year Sam Wernick and 2016 Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Year Jack Toner.
Toerper began his coaching career as a defensive assistant at Duquesne University during the 2009 season.
A 2008 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor's degree in communications, Toerper was a three-year letterwinner for the Panthers. He earned a scholarship with the program after joining the team as a walk-on, playing in 36 career games as a defensive back and on special teams.
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