Explorers coach, Longo, resigns

By Frank Visco
Collegian Editor
March 1, 2006

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, the Athletics Department officially announced the resignation of Phil Longo, the football team’s head coach. The reason for the resignation is that Longo has accepted a job from the University of Minnesota-Duluth as Offensive Coordinator.

“You are always sad to see a staff member leave your program—especially such a young and talented one as Phil Longo,” La Salle’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, Dr. Thomas Brennan, said. “We are, however, happy for him and wish him the best of luck in this next step of his career.

“The University of Minnesota-Duluth is a solid and successful program that will provide a great challenge for him as well as an opportunity to employ his explosive offensive mind with a full squad of scholarship.”

Longo joined La Salle’s football team four years ago as the Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for Quarterbacks coach under former coach Archie Stalcup.

After serving in those roles for two seasons, he was named Head Coach, a position he held for two seasons. During his tenure as the Explorers’ head coach, Longo led the team to a 7-14 record.

“He brought a professional approach to the football team that it didn’t have before,” Director of Athletic Communications Kale Beers said. “That’s not to say the coaches before him did a bad job, because they didn’t, but he streamlined a business-like approach in terms of recruiting and coaching that helped the program grow.

Longo’s most lasting impression is arguably the effect that he had on the team’s offense, which has been among the nation’s best in scoring and productivity over the last four years. According to www.goexplorers.com, almost every offensive record at La Salle was shattered during his tenure.

“The offensive numbers speak for themselves,” Beers said. “He put together some impressive teams, and although it didn’t always work out in the end, we were fortunate to have him involved with the team.”

viscof1@lasalle.edu