Find out what they are saying about Coach Dailey

WESTMINSTER, Md. – Mike Dailey has been named McDaniel College's head football coach.

Dailey, the 25th head coach in the storied 121-year history of Green Terror football, takes over the reins after serving as an assistant on the staff for the last seven seasons. He served most recently as pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach.

"As we thought about this transition, we discussed a number of characteristics we were looking for in our next head coach – outstanding experience, great football knowledge, an ability to recruit top student athletes, an ability to work with all constituencies (players, coaches, administration, alumni and friends of the program), and someone who would keep some continuity within the program," Director of Athletics Paul Moyer said. "We immediately recognized the success of Hall of Fame Coach Mike Dailey at all levels of the game, leading teams to championships by putting together all the right pieces. The final traits can be consolidated into an inspirational leader who cared about McDaniel – we believed our next coach had to understood the great tradition that is Green Terror football. Everyone who has had any interactions with Mike knows he more than meets these criteria and more. The knowledge and passion he has for the game is unsurpassed. The love he has for McDaniel College and this football team is as strong as anyone currently in coaching. His reputation as one of top football minds in the game today is repeated over and over. The bottom line is Mike is the right coach at the right time to bring this program back to the championship level."

Dailey joined the Green Terror staff in 2009 with a pedigree of success at all levels of football that included compiling a record of 115-83 and two championships in 12 years as a head coach in the Arena Football League (AFL), leading the Albany Firebirds and Colorado Crush.

"I am grateful for this opportunity," Dailey said. "This place has been my home for the last seven years and I am excited about the opportunity to lead this program. We have some work to do but I'm confident I can build this program back to a champion. There is a rich tradition of football here and I believe we have student-athletes who can help us restore that tradition."

For his first six seasons on the McDaniel sidelines, he served as defensive coordinator. His scheme put pressure on opposing quarterbacks game-in and game-out, recording 101 sacks and 55 interceptions. He helped produce 12 All-Centennial Conference selections, including four first-team nods.

In 2015, Dailey shifted responsibilities to the offensive side of the ball – something he is renowned for from his days in the AFL. He spent last season coordinating the pass game and working specifically with the wide receivers. Dailey's knowledge and scheme helped McDaniel produce an aerial attack that ranked in the top half of the Centennial Conference, averaging 210.0 yards per game.

Dailey coached in the AFL for 19 seasons, coaching in the league from 1997 until the league suspended operations prior to the 2009 season. He spent seven years at the helm of the Albany Firebirds organization, leading the team to the 1999 title and was also named Coach of the Year.

His final five seasons in the AFL were at the helm of the Colorado Crush, where he guided the squad owned by John Elway to the 2005 championship.

Dailey ranks fourth all-time in the AFL in games coached, fifth in overall wins and fifth in postseason victories.

The AFL culminated its silver anniversary in 2012 by naming the 25 Greatest Teams in AFL History. Dailey had the honor of coaching two of the top-five teams. His 1999 Albany Firebirds championship team was voted the greatest in AFL history while his 2005 Colorado Crush championship team was selected fifth.

Dailey was inducted into the league's Hall of Fame during the league's 2013 opening weekend.

Prior to his tenure with the indoor league, Dailey spent time in the college ranks at George Mason, Towson and Montgomery College.

A proven recruiter, Dailey has been specifically responsible for recruiting Montgomery County, Md., including bringing six players on the 2015 Green Terror roster to the program from Our Lady of Good Counsel – a perennial top team in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Of those six players, four were significant contributors this past season – sophomore running back Perry Stefanelli, sophomore offensive lineman Vince Gorgone, freshman defensive lineman Garvin Brooms and freshman linebacker Zack Ralli.

Dailey will begin head coaching responsibilities immediately and will be charged first with assembling his coaching staff over the coming weeks. He will also continue to direct the team's recruiting efforts and begin preparations to oversee spring practices.

The Green Terror is scheduled to open the 2016 season at Catholic University of America on Saturday, Sept. 3.

Additional notes:

McDaniel College completed construction on the $8-million-plus Kenneth R. Gill Stadium prior to the 2012 season. The campus landmark is one of the finest facilities not only in the Centennial Conference, but in all of Division III. The multipurpose facility retained its hallmark bowl setting and tradition of drive-in tailgating while providing first-class seating for 1,434 spectators, concessions, press box, coaches' rooms, observation boxes, filming area, home- and visiting-team meeting and training rooms plus the Sydney Albrittain Hospitality Suite. McDaniel also has plans to continue its stadium renovations with a new turf and track.

McDaniel has been nationally recognized for tailgating and the college's unique drive-in stadium by The Weather Channel, Southern Living magazine and The Daily Meal.

McDaniel College has also hosted the annual Crab Bowl high school all-star game at the Kenneth R. Gill Stadium. This annual event features the most outstanding senior football players from the State of Maryland. Players are divided into two teams; those from the Washington, D.C. area, south and east, play as part of the "Washington" squad while players from Baltimore, north and western part of the state play as part of the "Baltimore" squad. The game returns to McDaniel for the third straight year on Saturday, Dec. 19.

-30-