New Era In Heidelberg Football

Ohio native with OAC playing experience set to guide the Student Princes

When Heidelberg's new head football coach takes to the sidelines in 2007 he will be making a welcome return to his native state and the Ohio Athletic Conference.

Heidelberg College President F. Dominic Dottavio has announced that Mike Hallett has been named head football coach. Hallett is the 33rd head coach in the 111-year history of the football program at Heidelberg.

"This is an outstanding opportunity for my family and me," said Hallett. "We are excited to return to the OAC and to bring Heidelberg back to the top of the league. There are few schools with such a rich football tradition as Heidelberg and I am excited to get the opportunity to restore its past success."

Hallett joins Heidelberg following serving as the head coach at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Ky., since 2004.

Hallett brings over 15 years of coaching experience to the Berg, including five as an assistant coach at Thomas More as the team's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Hallett began at Thomas More following the 1998 season and helped guide the Saints to a 46-16 record over the last six years. At Thomas More, Hallett has helped to bring the Saints offense among the leaders in the nation.

Prior to his stint at Thomas More, Hallett served as the head coach at Wooster High School for the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Prior to Wooster, he was the assistant head coach at Akron Coventry High School from 1994-96. Before taking over the reigns at Akron Coventry, Hallett was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Orrville High School, from 1988-89.

An Orrville, Ohio, native, Hallett was a two-time All-American defensive lineman at Mount Union College and won a national championship in 1993.

"Heidelberg has a long and proud athletic tradition, and in Mike, we believe we have someone who can lead us back to success in the Ohio Athletic Conference. We are very fortunate to have landed someone with his experience in head coaching at a small college program and his familiarity with the OAC. He has a proven track record as a coach and a player. Mike is a winner" Dottavio said.

Under Hallett’s direction, expectations will be high for the Student Princes. The college recently completed an in-depth assessment of its athletic programs.

"Our hope is that Mike’s commitment to excellence on the playing field, in the classroom and in development of our student-athletes as good citizens will provide a framework for a successful and rewarding experience for them, and a football program that engenders a sense of pride and enthusiasm among the loyal and supportive fans, many of whom are alumni of the college."

Heidelberg is a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference, which is the third oldest conference in college athletics, predated only by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Big Ten Conference. In six of the last eight years the OAC has sent two teams to the NCAA Championships.