ITHACA, N.Y. -- Mike Toerper, who spent the past four seasons as the head football coach at Ithaca College, has been named the John B. and Ann M. Rogers '45 Defensive Coordinator at Cornell, it was announced on Sunday. The hire reunites Toerper and Dan Swanstrom, the Roger J. Weiss '61 Head Coach of Cornell Football. The two previously worked together at Johns Hopkins (2010-13) and Ithaca (2017-19), when Swanstrom was head coach of the Bombers and Toerper served as his defensive coordinator.
"Mike Toerper is a tremendous football coach and an outstanding leader," said Swanstrom. "I've had the opportunity to work with Mike at multiple points in his career, he worked with me at Johns Hopkins under Jim Margraff, served as my defensive coordinator at Ithaca, and later worked for our mutual friend Bob Chesney at Holy Cross before he returned to Ithaca as the head coach. He brings a deep knowledge of defensive football, proven head coach experience, and a strong ability to develop players and staff. I'm excited to welcome Mike to our program and confident he will have an immediate impact."
Toerper arrives on East Hill after compiling a 35-10 record (23-2 Liberty League) during his tenure with the Bombers, leading Ithaca to back-to-back Liberty League championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. He guided one of the nation's elite defensive programs, producing consistent top-tier results.
The Bombers allowed just 14.9 points per game in 2025 and ranked among the top 50 nationally in rushing defense (47th, 98.1 ypg.) and total defense (32nd, 273.1 ypg.). Ithaca led the Liberty League in first downs allowed and red zone defense (.667) while ranking second in the conference in third-down conversion percentage defense (.364). The 2024 defense surrendered just 12.5 points per contest, while the 2022 unit allowed only 12.8 points per game.
Toerper's 2022 season was historic, as Ithaca finished 12-1 and reached the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals. The Bombers posted their first undefeated regular season since 1986 and defeated Cortland before a crowd of 40,232 at Yankee Stadium in the Cortaca Jug. Toerper earned AFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year, D3football.com Region 2 Coach of the Year and Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
In 2023, Ithaca repeated as Liberty League champions with a 6-0 conference record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship. The Bombers again earned Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year recognition while facing the toughest schedule in Division III.
"My family and I are very excited to join the Big Red football program and reunite with Coach Swanstrom and his terrific staff," Toerper commented. "I've believed in Coach Swanstrom's vision since our time together began at Johns Hopkins back in 2010, and I'm eager to help continue building a program that will compete at a high level, and recruit and develop the best and brightest student-athletes in the country. Cornell offers a truly unique opportunity, and I'm grateful to Coach Swanstrom and Dr. Nicki Moore for the chance to be part of the Big Red family."
Prior to becoming head coach, Toerper served as Ithaca's defensive coordinator from 2017-19 under Swanstrom, developing three All-Americans — Pat Minogue, John Hadac and Nick Garone. His 2018 defense ranked among the nation's best, allowing 12.8 points and 259.5 yards per game. All 11 defensive starters earned All-Liberty League honors that season, with Minogue named an AFCA First-Team All-American and Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year.
Toerper spent the 2020-21 seasons as safeties coach at Holy Cross under head coach Bob Chesney, helping build one of the top defenses in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Crusaders allowed just 254.5 yards per game in 2021, ranking first in the FCS, and reached the second round of the playoffs with a 10-3 record.
Toerper spent seven years at Johns Hopkins (2010-16), serving as wide receivers coach and later as special teams coordinator, defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. The Blue Jays won Centennial Conference championships in all seven seasons.
A 2008 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Toerper was a three-year letterwinner as a defensive back for the Panthers. He began his coaching career as a defensive assistant at Duquesne in 2009.
