Well my guess for who might be the new DC to replace Jared Backus was wrong. I thought it might be UPenn DC Bob Benson. Breaking news:
Cornell (FCS - NY): Ithaca (D-III - NY) head coach Mike Toerper is stepping down and will become defensive coordinator at Cornell.
Quote from: Ken711 on December 14, 2025, 03:27:24 PMWell my guess for who might be the new DC to replace Jared Backus was wrong. I thought it might be UPenn DC Bob Benson. Breaking news:
Cornell (FCS - NY): Ithaca (D-III - NY) head coach Mike Toerper is stepping down and will become defensive coordinator at Cornell.
https://www.14850.com/121444005-toerper-assistant-cornell/
Liked Cornell's line about "officially hired from IC once Toerper passes a background check."
That sounds not like "want to be sure this is not Michigan Football V2.0" versus it was leaking out, Cornell wanted to get ahead of the story, and the disclaimer provided wiggle room in case the deal couldn't be closed. Also, saves money on relocation fees.
Quote from: billhoward link=;) date=1765910672Liked Cornell's line about "officially hired from IC once Toerper passes a background check."
That sounds not like "want to be sure this is not Michigan Football V2.0" versus it was leaking out, Cornell wanted to get ahead of the story, and the disclaimer provided wiggle room in case the deal couldn't be closed. Also, saves money on relocation fees.
It's standard for all new hires. Also Mike Toerper's wife works at Cornell which saves them on commuting costs. ;)
Mike Toerper impressed many with his presentations at the Tompkins County Sports Council Luncheons. Good Hire IMO! If one has read the biography of late Jim Butterfield (Long time coach at Ithaca College) written by his wife Lois Butterfield-she references that twice he interviewed for Cornell job. Glad that the Athletic Department has seen the value of hiring coaches from Ithaca College. Its a program with a long-time winning tradition.
Official announcement.
Toerper (https://cornellbigred.com/news/2025/12/18/mike-toerper-named-cornell-football-defensive-coordinator.aspx)
Background check makes sense. The wording of the announcement was awkard. Might have been better to say "made official once paperwork [or formalities or administrative details] are finished."
It could be details were about to leak out, so Cornell got a story out quickly.
A while back (like 50 years ago), working summers for the Rochester paper, I broke a story on Cornell hiring a new basketball coach. Cornell was about a week away from going official. Fast forward 3 years and The Sun broke a story on his firing for violating some mickey mouse NCAA rules, the players actively disliking him, and an alcohol problem. Cornell runs a much tighter ship now.
Quote from: billhoward on December 27, 2025, 04:48:55 PMBackground check makes sense. The wording of the announcement was awkard. Might have been better to say "made official once paperwork [or formalities or administrative details] are finished."
It could be details were about to leak out, so Cornell got a story out quickly.
A while back (like 50 years ago), working summers for the Rochester paper, I broke a story on Cornell hiring a new basketball coach. Cornell was about a week away from going official. Fast forward 3 years and The Sun broke a story on his firing for violating some mickey mouse NCAA rules, the players actively disliking him, and an alcohol problem. Cornell runs a much tighter ship now.
Ahh, Tony Coma, those were the days....