University of Massachusets Athletics
Foley, Palermo Added to Football Coaching Staff
March 14, 2016 | Football
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts football head coach Mark Whipple announced the addition of Mike Foley (offensive line) and Jason Palermo (tight ends) to his staff on Monday. Additionally, assistant coach Matt Dawson will now work with the defensive line and special teams.
“We’ve completed our staff with two coaches, Mike Foley and Jason Palermo, I’ve known along time.” Whipple said. “Coach Foley brings many years of experience, especially with the offensive line. He’s a Massachusetts guy with an impeccable record as a coach and a recruiter.”
“I’ve known Jason Palermo since we were recruiting him to the University of Massachusetts in 2002,” Whipple added. “I’ve followed his career – he was a great player at Wisconsin and an academic honoree. He’s a good, solid, young coach who’ll bring a lot of energy.”
Foley joins the Minuteman program after spending 2006-14 working with the offensive line and tight ends at the University of Connecticut.
Prior to UConn, Foley served from 1981-2005, over two stretches, with the football team at his alma mater, Colgate. He was the Raiders' head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach during his tenure. He spent the 1994-96 seasons on the football staff at Harvard as the offensive coordinator.
He began his coaching career as offensive line coach at Bates College in 1978, before moving the next fall to Dartmouth as the freshman offensive line coach for one season. After one season as offensive line coach at Holy Cross in 1980, he returned to his alma mater as junior varsity head coach and varsity receivers coach. After two seasons in that position, he took over as offensive line coach in 1983. Foley added the duties of offensive coordinator in 1984.
In 1986, he served as interim head coach during the absence of head coach Fred Dunlap, who was recovering from bypass surgery. Following Dunlap's retirement in 1987, Foley was named head coach of the Raiders, a title he held through 1992, compiling a 21-34 record.
He was a four-year letterwinner at Colgate and captain of the 1977 team. A three-year starter at center, he was twice honored as an All-East performer by the Associated Press and, in 1977, was also named to the ECAC All-East squad. In 2004, Foley was inducted into Colgate's Athletic Hall of Honor.
Foley was born in Kittery, Maine but grew up in Newburyport, Mass. He graduated from Colgate University in 1978 with a degree in economics. Foley and his wife, Kathleen, have two grown children, Erin and Patrick.
Palermo spent the past four seasons (2012-15) as the offensive line coach at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn.
Palermo began his coaching career under Pat Behrns at Nebraska-Omaha in 2009 as tight ends coach and while assisting with the offensive line. He then moved to Southern University and spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons coaching tight ends and serving as special teams coordinator for former NFL great Stump Mitchell.
Palermo was a three-year letter winner at Wisconsin as an offensive guard and center. At the conclusion of his senior year in 2005, he was invited to play in the 2006 Hula Bowl All-Star game in Honolulu. Off the field, Palermo was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team in 2003. He played professionally for both the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.
Palermo is married to the former Kaitlyn Beinlich. They have a daughter, Giabella and sons, JonLuca and Grayson. He is the son of veteran coach John Palermo, who spent 40+ seasons in the collegiate and professional coaching ranks.
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