Mike Conway has played an instrumental part in the Vulcans’ transformation into one of the perennial powerhouses in the PSAC, the region and the nation, serving as associate head coach and defensive coordinator.
The 2011 campaign marks Conway’s 10th season with Cal U. In his nine years with the team, the Vulcans have ranked among the Top 30 nationally in total defense six times. In the last four years, he has coached two PSAC West Defensive Players of the Year and the last two PSAC West Freshman of the Year.
Last year, Cal U led the PSAC in six major defensive categories, including total defense. The Vulcans limited opponents to only 14.4 points per game and held opponents to less than 100 rushing yards six times.
During the 2007 campaign, he guided the No. 1-ranked defense in NCAA Division II, as the unit yielded just 207.6 total yards per game. That year, Cal U limited opponents to just 55.9 rushing yards and 11.5 points per game, both marks also led Division II.
His extensive coaching background includes a stint at two Division I programs as an assistant coach, a four-year tenure as a head coach in the NAIA, along with a coordinator position with current Cal U head coach John Luckhardt at Division III powerhouse Washington & Jefferson.
Conway started his coaching career in 1984, serving 10 years as the defensive coordinator for Luckhardt at W&J. During his tenure, the Presidents compiled a 98-8-1 record and made nine appearances in the NCAA Division III Playoffs, including two national championship contests.
After his time at W&J, Conway served as the defensive line coach at Division I Purdue in 1995.
He then accepted his first head football coaching job at his alma mater – Olivet Nazarene, an NAIA program located in Bourbonnais, Ill. He guided the Tigers to a 31-14 overall record in four seasons, including a trip to the 1998 NAIA National Championship Game.
Following his time at ONU, Conway spent the next three seasons at Division I Arkansas State and NAIA programs Geneva and Southwestern (Kansas).
A native of Pittsburgh, Conway holds a master’s degree in health education from Penn State. He earned his undergraduate degree in sociology and communication from Olivet Nazarene in 1983.
As a player, Conway was a two-time All-American offensive lineman for the Tigers. He went on to play professionally in the CFL, USFL and NFL before a back injury forced his retirement.
Conway and his wife Beth Ann reside in California with their sons, Dakota and T.D.
