WATERLOO, Ont. - After 13 years, Michael Faulds has stepped down as Laurier's manager of football operations and head coach.  

A three-time U SPORTS Coach of the Year and two-time Yates Cup champion with the Golden Hawks, Faulds will return to his alma mater to become the new head coach of the Western Mustangs, filling the void left by the recently retired Greg Marshall. 

"We thank Michael for his commitment to excellence and for building upon the proud legacy of Laurier football," said Kate McCrae Bristol, Laurier's vice-president: Student Affairs. "His leadership and dedication to our student-athletes have left a lasting impact on our Golden Hawks community." 

The 42-year-old from Eden Mills, Ont. was named just the sixth head coach in Laurier football's storied 65-year history back in 2013. 

Since stepping into the role at Laurier after previous head coach Gary Jeffries' departure, Faulds recorded a combined 71 regular season and postseason victories over 12 seasons to rank second all-time behind only David "Tuffy" Knight.  

Faulds also led the purple and gold to five Yates Cup appearances, winning twice - in 2016 and 2024 - adding to Laurier's total of nine Yates Cup championships, which ranks fifth all-time. 

Laurier's strong football legacy and tradition of commitment to our varsity athletes experience will continue.  

An experienced and very successful coaching staff will continue to be supported by Ron VanMoerkerke, assistant coach, defensive coordinator who is entering his 27th consecutive year with Laurier football, as well as Todd Galloway, offensive coordinator, student-athlete development and receivers coach who played under Golden Hawk greats Rick Zmich and Jeffries before joining the coaching staff in 2020.  

That high standard of Laurier's student-athlete experience continues to be supported off the field as well through capital improvements with the ongoing Seagram Drive Athletics and Recreation Redevelopment Project, which has already seen exciting transformational facility upgrades at University Stadium with more to come.  

The opening of the dome covering Knight-Newbrough Field later this month will also provide an all-season, on-campus training location for the team to continue building even more success.  

An announcement regarding the next head coach of the Golden Hawks football program will be made soon.