This week on DingoTalk, we feature Mike Cerasuolo ’93, who is entering his ninth season as the head coach of the Springfield College football program for the 2024-25 academic year. Appointed as the 14th head coach in January 2016, Cerasuolo is just the fifth head football coach at Springfield in the past 70 years.
In the 2023 season, Cerasuolo led the Pride to their third consecutive NEWMAC title, hosting an NCAA Division III Tournament First Round game. He was named the ECAC Division III Coach of the Year and led the NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year. Under his leadership, the Pride topped the nation in rushing offense with over 380 yards per game.
Springfield repeated as NEWMAC Champions in 2022, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament for the first time since 2006. Cerasuolo and his staff were honored as the NEWMAC Co-Coaching Staff of the Year.
The 2021 season saw Springfield go undefeated in conference play, returning to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Cerasuolo was named NEWMAC Coach of the Year, reinforcing Springfield's presence on the national stage.
In 2018, Cerasuolo guided the team to a New England Bowl title and produced two D3football.com All-America honorees. The team had a Gagliardi National Player of the Year Semifinalist for the second consecutive year, with Nick Giorgio '19 invited to the New Orleans Saints Rookie Minicamp.
Cerasuolo's second season, 2017, was historic as Springfield went 10-0 in the regular season, winning the inaugural NEWMAC Championship. He was named NEWMAC and The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Division II/III New England Coach of the Year, with Springfield leading all college football in rushing at over 435 yards per game.
Before becoming head coach, Cerasuolo spent 15 years as the offensive coordinator for the Pride, leading them to five national rushing titles. He has been a sought-after clinician and has significantly contributed off the field, involving the team with Team IMPACT and the Be The Match program.
A Northboro, Mass. native, Cerasuolo has an extensive coaching history, including positions at Mansfield, Alfred, Lebanon Valley, SUNY Cortland, University of Maine, and Ithaca. A former standout student-athlete at Springfield, he earned multiple accolades and degrees in physical education and sport pedagogy.
Mike resides in Hampden, Mass., with his wife, Tracy, and their two daughters. Tune in to hear more about his coaching journey and insights on DingoTalk.
