Marist Football Coaches Shape More Than Athletic Success
- 01. Marist football coaches are led by head coach Mike Willis, whose staff in 2026 is built around responsibility, development, and a values-driven approach to player growth and team culture.
- 02. Coaching staff overview
- 03. What the system emphasizes
- 04. Historical context
- 05. Why it matters
- 06. Current key names
Marist football coaches are led by head coach Mike Willis, whose staff in 2026 is built around responsibility, development, and a values-driven approach to player growth and team culture.
The current Marist football coaching structure is organized under Willis with clear role assignments across offense, defense, special teams, recruiting, and operations, and the program's public messaging emphasizes reward for internal excellence, staff continuity, and improved player experience. Marist's official 2026 staff page lists Willis, Mike Horan, TJ Weyl, John Audino, Kevin Mill, Vince DiMonte, John O'Connor, Roger Kotlarz, Pierce Graham, Ayden Gutierrez, Kai Ellis, Bob Palombo, Diego Arroyo, Blake McLaughlin, and Gino Cammilleri as the core football leadership group.
Coaching staff overview
The program's 2026 staff shows a deliberate mix of continuity and targeted additions, which is a common sign of a mature college football culture that values role clarity. Marist announced on April 19, 2026 that DiMonte, Mill, and Kotlarz received promotions while Kai Ellis joined the staff as outside linebackers/edges coach, and Willis said the promotions rewarded "great work already being done inside of that organization."
| Coach | 2026 role | Primary contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Willis | Head coach | Program leadership and culture |
| Mike Horan | Defensive coordinator / safeties | Defensive design and execution |
| TJ Weyl | Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks | Offensive game planning |
| John Audino | Special teams coordinator / running backs | Special teams and backfield development |
| Kevin Mill | Defensive line / recruiting coordinator | Front-seven development and recruiting |
| Vince DiMonte | Linebackers / operations coordinator | Linebacker play and program operations |
| Roger Kotlarz | Co-special teams coordinator / cornerbacks | Coverage units and defensive backs |
| Kai Ellis | Outside linebackers / edges | Pass rush and scouting support |
What the system emphasizes
Willis has repeatedly framed Marist's identity around being "fast, physical and together," a concise coaching standard that connects technique, toughness, and cohesion in one message. A 2024 feature on his arrival described that motto as the core mission for the program, and the later 2026 staff moves suggest the university is reinforcing that philosophy through stable assignments and internal promotion.
"The best organizations I have been a part of rewarded great work already being done inside of that organization with increased responsibility," Willis said in April 2026.
- Continuity, because several assistants were retained and elevated rather than replaced.
- Player development, because roles are aligned by position group and accountability.
- Recruiting, because Kevin Mill and Kai Ellis were explicitly tied to talent evaluation and opponent scouting.
- Operations, because DiMonte also serves as operations coordinator, linking football instruction with daily program execution.
Historical context
Marist's football program dates to 1965, and the Red Foxes compete in NCAA Division I FCS as a Pioneer Football League member, which makes coaching stability especially important in a non-scholarship environment. Willis was hired on December 19, 2023 as the fifth head coach in program history, following the retirement of Jim Parady after 32 seasons, and that transition marked a significant cultural handoff.
The modern staff is therefore operating inside a longer institutional story, not simply managing a single season. Marist's own coverage has described Willis as eager to showcase student-athletes and raise the program's profile, while the university's 2026 schedule release noted that the team will play 12 games, including eight Pioneer Football League contests and six home games at Tenney Stadium.
Why it matters
For parents, alumni, and school leaders, the important takeaway is that Marist football coaches are not presenting themselves only as tacticians; they are presenting a character formation model that links athletics to broader educational goals. That matters because the staff's public language consistently connects recognition, accountability, recruiting, and player experience, which are all markers of a program trying to build durable standards rather than chase short-term optics.
From an institutional perspective, the April 2026 promotions also indicate a bench of coaches trusted with more responsibility, which can improve communication and reduce disruption from year to year. In practical terms, that kind of staff architecture often helps athletes experience clearer coaching, more consistent expectations, and better developmental continuity across seasons.
Current key names
The most important names to know in the current Red Foxes football operation are Mike Willis, Mike Horan, TJ Weyl, John Audino, Kevin Mill, Vince DiMonte, Roger Kotlarz, and Kai Ellis. Those coaches anchor the 2026 identity of the program and reflect how Marist is blending leadership continuity with selective staffing upgrades.
- Mike Willis leads the program as head coach and public face of the system.
- Mike Horan directs the defense and safeties.
- TJ Weyl coordinates the offense and quarterbacks.
- Kevin Mill manages the defensive line and recruiting coordination.
- Vince DiMonte oversees linebackers and operations, linking coaching and administration.
Key concerns and solutions for Marist Football Coaches Shape More Than Athletic Success
Who is the head coach?
Mike Willis is the head coach of Marist football, hired on December 19, 2023, and the 2026 season is his third leading the program.
What is the coaching philosophy?
Willis has publicly described the program's standard as playing "fast, physical and together," while also rewarding internal performance and increasing responsibility for staff members who contribute strongly to the culture.
Who are the main assistants?
The main assistants include Mike Horan, TJ Weyl, John Audino, Kevin Mill, Vince DiMonte, Roger Kotlarz, and Kai Ellis, with each coach assigned to a defined unit or operational function.
How large is the 2026 staff?
The official Marist athletics directory lists 14 football coaches in 2026, not including broader support staff such as student-athlete enhancement, strength and conditioning, and academic advisement personnel.
What changed in April 2026?
Marist announced promotions for DiMonte, Mill, and Kotlarz, added Kai Ellis, and published the updated 2026 coaching chart on April 19, 2026.
