Recruiting Areas
• Arizona, California, Nevada
Coaching Experience
• Offensive Coordinator, Cornell University (2017-present)
• Assistant Coach, Harvard University (2005-17)
• Graduate Assistant Coach, University of Connecticut (2003-05)
Playing Experience
• University of Connecticut (1999-02)
Education
• B.A., Math Education, Connecticut (2003)
• M.A., Education, Connecticut (2005)
At Cornell
With more than a decade of experience coaching Ivy League student-athletes, Joe Villapiano took over as Cornell’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2017. He currently works with the team's quarterbacks.
In his first year with the Big Red, the offense rushed for nearly 25 yards per game more than the previous season and posted the highest rushing total by a Cornell team since 2006. The offensive line allowed just 10 sacks as a unit over the team's final seven games while posting 163.7 rushing yards per game over that same span. The Big Red's 14 rushing touchdowns were the most by a Big Red team in a single season since 2007. All of that was accomplished despite losing the team's leading receiver (Eric Gallman) and rusher (Chris Walker) during the season.
Despite playing one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2018, with seven of its 10 games against teams ranked in the top 20 nationally on defense, Cornell had its most successful season running the ball since 2006 (156.1 yards per game). Two offensive linemen (J. Edward Keating and Henry Stillwell) and one running back (Harold Coles) made the All-Ivy team.
After losing its starting quarterback and three of its top running backs over the first three weeks of the season, Villapiano and the Big Red offense helped the team to its first Ivy top-half finish since 2006 in 2019. The team's 15 rushing touchdowns were the program's most since 2012 with Harold Coles earning first-team all-league honors after finishing second in the Ancient Eight in rushing. Cornell's scoring average and total offense numbers were also up from the prior season. The Big Red allowed one sack or less in five of the team's games thanks in large part to All-Ivy selection Hunter Nourzad on the offensive. Overall, Cornell had four games with more than 400 yards of total offense – including two 200-yard rushing games and five with at least 250 passing yards, with Richie Kenney closing the season with 2,069 passing yards - No. 10 on the Big Red's single-season list. Tight end John Fitzgerald was an honorable mention All-Ivy pick as part of his position group.
Jameson Wang has developed into one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the FCS over his first two seasons, accounting for nearly 3,000 yards of total offense and 30 touchdowns, a mark that ranks in the top 10 in school history. He was an honorable mention All-Ivy selection in 2022.
Prior to Cornell
Villapiano spent 12 seasons on the sidelines at Harvard, helping the program to six Ivy League titles and a 97-23 overall mark (.808), including 69-15 in Ivy League competition (.821). Over that span, the Crimson never finished lower than third. He coached running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs during his time in Cambridge. Harvard won at least seven games in each of his 12 seasons there, with the Crimson posting three perfect Ivy seasons that included a 10-0 campaign in 2014 in which it outscored its opponents 327-123.
Villapiano coached three All-Americans, 20 All-Ivy League players, including 2011 Player of the Year Gino Gordon. Three of his players earned the conference's Rookie of the Year at different positions – defensive back Matt Hanson (2008), running back Treavor Scales (2009) and wide receiver Justice Shelton-Mosley (2015). In 2007, all four of his defensive backs earned All-Ivy honors, with three accepting first-team accolades.
Prior to his stint at Harvard, Villapiano spent two seasons on staff at his alma mater, Connecticut. He was responsible for coordinating the offensive scout team and breaking down opponent video for scouting purposes.
Playing Career
A 2003 graduate of Connecticut with a degree in math education who earned a master's in education two years later, Villapiano was a four-year member of the football team. He caught five passes for 47 yards in his career and holds the distinction of having scored the final Connecticut touchdown in Memorial Stadium, the team's former home facility. He earned the team's Student-Athlete Award as a senior.
Personal
Villapiano and his former high school teammates are active in the formation of a company called iB-LIEVE, which is designed to empower individuals and teams using belief, positive attitude and positive action. His uncle, Phil, was a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the Oakland Raiders and was a member of Oakland's Super Bowl XI championship team.
He is married to the former Nicole Gergen and the couple resides in Cortland, N.Y.
* Updated June 2023
