Michael Phelan was elevated to become the 40th head coach of the prestigious Franklin & Marshall football program on February 17, 2025 and promptly led the Diplomats to the Centennial Conference Championship and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. He was additionally named the Centennial Conference Coach of the Year during his record-breaking first year leading the program following three seasons as an assistant coach at F&M.
The Diplomats achieved a top-25 national ranking and hosted the second round of the NCAA Tournament after receiving in a bye during their inaugural appearance on the national stage in 2025. The Diplomats went undefeated in Centennial Conference play, capped by a thrilling overtime win against No. 3 Johns Hopkins. Other historic feats in that season included Gary Lewis being named Franklin & Marshall’s first-ever semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy (Division III Heisman) after the Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year broke the school and Centennial Conference record for touchdown receptions in a single season. Lewis was one of two Diplomats to earn All-America honors in 2025 as the Diplomats finished with a 9-2 overall record.
Phelan took over as head coach after spending the previous three seasons on the Diplomats' staff as the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator where he made an immediate impact on the team’s success, Phelan helped the Diplomats’ climb the Centennial Conference standings during each of the past three seasons, headlined by back-to-back postseason victories in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series.
As the defensive coordinator when he first joined the coaching staff for the 2022 season, Franklin & Marshall has consistently ranked among the top defenses in all of Division III and the Centennial Conference. The defense continues to improve every season under Phelan who was named one of the top defensive coordinators in the entire region by numerous rankings outlets following the 2024 season. The Franklin & Marshall defense ranked fourth in Division III in yards allowed per game (227.1) that year while allowing just 13.1 points per game. The Diplomats were also seventh nationally in first downs allowed (143) and ninth in rushing yards allowed per game (62.3) during a season that was capped with a 7-0 bowl victory against Delaware Valley.
Phelan mentored 17 All-Centennial Conference players on the defensive side of the ball during his three seasons as a coordinator at F&M. That group of standout individuals included All-American Justin Gerhart ’24 who led all of Division III in interceptions during the 2022 season to become the Diplomats’ first All-American in nine years. In that 2022 season, F&M ranked among the top 20 teams in the country for total interceptions and had one of the top performing units in turnover margin. Over the past three seasons, Franklin & Marshall has ranked in the top 25 nationally in passing efficiency defense, red zone defense, and defensive touchdowns. Those defensive efforts have helped the Diplomats compile a 21-11 record, including an 11-8 mark in Centennial Conference contests.
Phelan has additionally brought immense talent to Lancaster while overseeing the team’s recruiting efforts. Prior to both the 2023 and 2024 season, Phelan led recruiting efforts that brought over 30 talented scholar-athletes to the Diplomats. Many of those players have gone on to make an instant impact during multiple bowl wins and the Centennial Conference Championship. Those student-athletes have also excelled in the classroom with 89 Diplomats being named to Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll since the start of the 2022 season.
Phelan came to Franklin & Marshall after spending three years coaching at his alma mater, St. Lawrence University. Originally hired to work with the defense, Phelan earned the promotion to Special Teams Coach/Recruiting Coordinator during the 2021 season before joining the Diplomats’ coaching staff the following year.
The Saints made tremendous strides during Phelan's tenure and became increasingly competitive in a strong Liberty League. Working with the defense during the 2019 season, Phelan helped St. Lawrence more than double its win total from the previous season while making significant statistical improvements in points allowed, total yards allowed, and time of possession. Working primarily with the safeties, the defense came away with 14 interceptions as six of the team's 11 all-conference selections came from the defensive side of the ball. Taking over the special teams for the 2021 season, the Saints ranked in the top five nationally in both kick return and punt return defense while seven players were selected to the All-Liberty League team.
Prior to St. Lawrence, Phelan served as a graduate assistant with Castleton University for the 2017 and 2018 seasons where he worked with the team’s wide receivers. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Phelan earned his master's degree in athletic leadership while at Castleton.
A defensive back for St. Lawrence during his playing career, Phelan was part of a Saints’ defense that led the nation in team passing efficiency defense as a senior in 2014. He also helped St. Lawrence attain a top-10 national ranking in total defense, turnover margin, and scoring defense. After obtaining his undergraduate degree in government in 2015, Phelan went on to earn his master’s degree in educational leadership from St. Lawrence in 2021.
What they are saying about Coach Phelan’s Hiring
“Coach Phelan is an outstanding football coach and an even better person. He is the ideal leader to guide F&M Football into an exciting new chapter. Coach Phelan cares deeply for each student-athlete he coaches, helping them improve every step of the way.”
- Tom Blumenauer, Head Football Coach; SUNY Cortland and former F&M head football coach, 2022-24 seasons
“Mike is the perfect choice to lead Franklin & Marshall football into the future. His track record as a defensive coordinator is proven to be one of the best in the country. He is a tireless recruiter, who will bring in the type of student-athletes who will grow the program on and off the field. The Dips are in great hands.”
- Dan Hunt, Offensive Coordinator; Lehigh
“I could not be more excited for Coach Phelan to be named the next head coach for F&M football. Coach Phelan not only listens to his players, but he also pushes them to be the best versions of themselves—both on and off the field. I learned so much under Coach Phelan’s guidance, from his game plans, to discipline, hard work, and integrity. His knowledge of the game and his ability to connect with players is unmatched. He consistently challenged us to grow as players, but more importantly, he helped shape us into better men. I can’t wait to watch the success Coach Phelan has leading the Diplomats into the future.”
- Justin Gerhart ’24, All-American Defensive Back; Franklin & Marshall College
