Mike LaFleur
Nichols Tabs LaFleur as Offensive Coordinator, Retains Hayford
1/21/2013 8:00:00 AM | Football
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Mike LaFleur will join the Davidson football staff as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks and wide receivers coach, and Brett Hayford will continue to serve as the team's defensive line coach, head coach Paul Nichols announced Monday.
LaFleur comes to Davidson from Saint Joseph's College, a Division II school in Rensselaer, Ind., where he served in the same capacity and also as the recruiting coordinator. LaFleur joined the Saint Joseph's College football staff as the quarterbacks coach in 2010 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2011.
“Mike has an excellent football pedigree,” said Nichols, who was named as Davidson's 27th head coach in December. “He brings a passion for the game and an intimate understanding of offensive football. He will energize not only our offense, but also our entire program. I am excited about the opportunity to have him and his wife Lauren join our football family.”
Saint Joseph's offense saw dramatic improvement under LaFleur's tutelage in 2012, as the Pumas improved their points per game average from 18 to 28 and gained 72 more yards per game, resulting in the program's first winning season in seven years. The squad also set a new school and conference record for total offensive yards in a game and a school record for passing touchdowns in a season.
“I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Davidson football program,” said LaFleur. “Davidson College is a prestigious institution and I look forward to working with our student-athletes and building a winning tradition.”
Under LaFleur's guidance last season, wide receiver Julian Walker was named a Beyond College Sports Network All-American and to the All-Great Lakes Valley Conference first team. Walker opened the season by catching 11 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Pioneer Football League member Valparaiso, and set school and conference records for receptions in a season, receptions in a game, and touchdown receptions in a game. Quarterback Billy VandeMerkt set school and conference records for touchdown passes and total yards in a game en route to Division II national player of the week accolades, and finished the season with a school record for total offense.
LaFleur arrived at SJC from his alma mater, Elmhurst College, where he spent the 2009 season as an offensive assistant coach working primarily with quarterbacks.
As a player, LaFleur was a team captain and three-time letterwinner for Elmhurst College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in December 2009. As a quarterback, LaFleur saw action in 13 games, making seven starts over the course of two seasons. In 2008, he became the Blue Jays' starting free safety where he started all 10 games that season.
A native of Mount Pleasant, Mich., LaFleur married his wife, Lauren, in July of 2010. His brother, Matt LaFleur, is the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Redskins.
Hayford returns for his 21st season as a Wildcats coach and his 24th year on the Davidson campus. He served as the interim head coach for the final two games of the 2012 season, guiding the 'Cats to a 1-1 record.
“Brett's passion for Davidson College is unmatched,” said Nichols. “He represents a link between the great tradition of the past and the bright future of this program. His ability to develop student–athletes is tremendous. He will serve as a mentor for our defensive line and assist in administrative areas. He is a major asset to our program and will make a difference in building our culture.”
Since joining the Pioneer Football League in 2001, Davidson defensive lineman have earned All-Pioneer Football League honors 12 times under Hayford, and Darryl Childers was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2003.
Hayford coached the Wildcats to the PFL lead in sacks in 2005 with 24, and the 2006 squad tied for second with 22.
Davidson led the league in sacks as a team in 2002 as well, averaging 3.3 per game, while no other squad had more than 2.5 an outing.
He coached the conference's individual sack leader in 2002 and 2003 in Ryan Tennis and Childers, and Hayford was instrumental in the emergence of All-PFL South performers Kyle Kinsell and Will Funderburg in 2005. Kinsell, a two-time Academic All-American, had all of 12 tackles in his first two seasons, while Funderburg was just a rookie. An honorable mention All-PFL selection in 2007, Funderburg was named second-team all-conference in 2008.
In eight PFL games in 2009, Davidson tied for second in the league in scoring defense and ranked fourth in passing defense.
Hayford graduated in 1993 from Davidson, where he played two seasons as a defensive lineman and as an outfielder for the baseball team. At Shorecrest Prep in St. Petersburg, Fla., his father, Phil, coached his high school football team.
He is married to the former Beth Snowden, who is the head athletic trainer at Davidson. They live in Huntersville with their son Thad.
LaFleur comes to Davidson from Saint Joseph's College, a Division II school in Rensselaer, Ind., where he served in the same capacity and also as the recruiting coordinator. LaFleur joined the Saint Joseph's College football staff as the quarterbacks coach in 2010 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2011.
“Mike has an excellent football pedigree,” said Nichols, who was named as Davidson's 27th head coach in December. “He brings a passion for the game and an intimate understanding of offensive football. He will energize not only our offense, but also our entire program. I am excited about the opportunity to have him and his wife Lauren join our football family.”
Saint Joseph's offense saw dramatic improvement under LaFleur's tutelage in 2012, as the Pumas improved their points per game average from 18 to 28 and gained 72 more yards per game, resulting in the program's first winning season in seven years. The squad also set a new school and conference record for total offensive yards in a game and a school record for passing touchdowns in a season.
“I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Davidson football program,” said LaFleur. “Davidson College is a prestigious institution and I look forward to working with our student-athletes and building a winning tradition.”
Under LaFleur's guidance last season, wide receiver Julian Walker was named a Beyond College Sports Network All-American and to the All-Great Lakes Valley Conference first team. Walker opened the season by catching 11 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Pioneer Football League member Valparaiso, and set school and conference records for receptions in a season, receptions in a game, and touchdown receptions in a game. Quarterback Billy VandeMerkt set school and conference records for touchdown passes and total yards in a game en route to Division II national player of the week accolades, and finished the season with a school record for total offense.
LaFleur arrived at SJC from his alma mater, Elmhurst College, where he spent the 2009 season as an offensive assistant coach working primarily with quarterbacks.
As a player, LaFleur was a team captain and three-time letterwinner for Elmhurst College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in December 2009. As a quarterback, LaFleur saw action in 13 games, making seven starts over the course of two seasons. In 2008, he became the Blue Jays' starting free safety where he started all 10 games that season.
A native of Mount Pleasant, Mich., LaFleur married his wife, Lauren, in July of 2010. His brother, Matt LaFleur, is the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Redskins.
“Brett's passion for Davidson College is unmatched,” said Nichols. “He represents a link between the great tradition of the past and the bright future of this program. His ability to develop student–athletes is tremendous. He will serve as a mentor for our defensive line and assist in administrative areas. He is a major asset to our program and will make a difference in building our culture.”
Since joining the Pioneer Football League in 2001, Davidson defensive lineman have earned All-Pioneer Football League honors 12 times under Hayford, and Darryl Childers was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2003.
Hayford coached the Wildcats to the PFL lead in sacks in 2005 with 24, and the 2006 squad tied for second with 22.
Davidson led the league in sacks as a team in 2002 as well, averaging 3.3 per game, while no other squad had more than 2.5 an outing.
He coached the conference's individual sack leader in 2002 and 2003 in Ryan Tennis and Childers, and Hayford was instrumental in the emergence of All-PFL South performers Kyle Kinsell and Will Funderburg in 2005. Kinsell, a two-time Academic All-American, had all of 12 tackles in his first two seasons, while Funderburg was just a rookie. An honorable mention All-PFL selection in 2007, Funderburg was named second-team all-conference in 2008.
In eight PFL games in 2009, Davidson tied for second in the league in scoring defense and ranked fourth in passing defense.
Hayford graduated in 1993 from Davidson, where he played two seasons as a defensive lineman and as an outfielder for the baseball team. At Shorecrest Prep in St. Petersburg, Fla., his father, Phil, coached his high school football team.
He is married to the former Beth Snowden, who is the head athletic trainer at Davidson. They live in Huntersville with their son Thad.
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