A coaching veteran with over 30 years of experience on the sidelines, Mike Furlong has joined the Franklin & Marshall football staff as the team's defensive coordinator for the 2025 season. Furlong joins the Diplomats' coaching staff after more than 30 years as the Defensive Coordinator at Division II West Chester. Throughout his coaching career, Furlong has built a reputation for producing some of the stingiest defenses in the country across all collegiate levels.

"I'm excited to welcome Mike Furlong to the F&M Football Family," said head coach Michael Phelan. "Coach Furlong brings a true passion for the game and a strong commitment to developing student-athletes. His experience and expertise will be a tremendous asset to our program."

Throughout his tenure at West Chester, Furlong held many different responsibilities on the defensive side of the ball. Formerly working with the defensive secondary, most of Furlong's coaching experience comes working with the linebackers. Numerous student-athletes have excelled under his guidance as he mentored the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Defensive Player of the Year five times since 2015. That group includes a number of All-Americans.

Each of the top three tacklers in West Chester history were coached by Furlong, a list that includes seven of the top 10 players in school history for that category. In total, he coached nine defensive players of the year and five All-Americans with the Golden Rams. That group was highlighted by Al-Hajj Shabazz who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texas, and Baltimore Ravens.

Furlong's defenses led the PSAC in total defense on numerous occasions throughout his career, with many instances where they led the league in passing, rushing, and scoring defense. His unit's success extends far beyond the conference level as his teams have ranked as high 14th nationally in scoring defense and 16th in total defense. West Chester has additionally ranked among the nation's best in pass defense, interceptions, first downs allowed, and third-down conversion percentage.

In total, West Chester compiled a 235-131-1 (.642) winning percentage with Furlong lending his expertise on the defensive side of the ball. A 1986 graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., with a degree in Physical Education, Furlong was a wide receiver for the Golden Griffs for three years.