Springfield, Mass. - June 1, 2012 - Several Springfield College graduate assistant football coaches have accepted jobs working in football after successful stays at Springfield. Both Jameson Croall and Tom Caporale will continue coaching collegiate football, while Mike Mestieri will make the transition to the pro ranks.A former offensive lineman for the Pride, Croall will now serve as the offensive coordinator for the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Having spent the last two seasons at Springfield coaching fullbacks and quarterbacks, Croall will return to his alma mater on Homecoming weekend (Oct. 13) for a Liberty League clash beginning at 2:00 pm.
Caporale has accepted a position at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. A two-time Empire 8 All-Conference Team selection during his playing days as a linebacker at Springfield, Caporale served as the Pride's linebackers coach for the past two years.
After just one year on the Springfield College sidelines, Mestieri will move to professional football, joining the world champion New York Giants in their personnel department. Last season, Mestieri worked with halfbacks and played a key role in the Pride capturing the NCAA Division III team rushing title.
Michael C. “Mike” DeLong ’74 enters his 31st season as a head football coach in the fall of 2012. He enters his 29th year at Springfield College alone. For the past 28 years, he has been the head coach at Springfield, his alma mater. Mike had also been the head coach at Maine Maritime in Castine, Maine in 1979 and 1980. Read more.
