Michael Pannone enters his fourth season on staff and third as Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. Prior to the Fall 2022 season, Pannone was promoted to Defensive Coordinator after previously serving as the Hawks Recruiting Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach during the 2021 season.
In the 2023 season, Pannone's defense had another fantastic campaign, leading the conference in sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, and fumbles recovered. A turnover margin of 1.73 led all Division II, as they forced 31 total turnovers, tied for second in Division II. The defensive unit was also one of the best in the country with stopping the run, only allowing 84.7 yards per game on the ground, ranking 8th in Division II. The Hawk's defense only surrendered 24.5 points per game, which was the best scoring defense since the 2016 season.
During the Fall 2022, his first season leading the Defense, Pannone’s Defensive unit improved in virtually every statistical category, most notably Total Defense, Total Scoring, Rush Defense, and 3rd Down Defense ranking second in the conference after finishing in last just one year prior in 2021.
The 2022 Defensive Unit produced 8 All-GLVC Honorees, including Linebackers Jackson Connell (Jr.), Peyten Chappel (Sr.) who become Quincy University’s all-time leader in Career tackles and Peyton Plunkett (Jr.) who led the GLVC in Sacks as well as Leading all of NCAA DII Football in Forced Fumbles.
In Fall 2021 as the Defensive Line Coach, Pannone mentored Collin Olla-Chatman and Will Heneger to All-GLVC Honors. During the shorted Spring 2021 season, Collin Olla-Chatman received First Team All-GVLC Honors and Junior Defensive Tackle Marcel Scott was named to the Honorable Mention List.
Pannone comes to Quincy after having spent three seasons at Muskingum University (OH) coaching the Defensive Line, while also serving as the football team’s Academic Coordinator and Co-Special Teams Coordinator in 2020.
While at Muskingum, Pannone coached Defensive Lineman Tim Ousley, who earned First Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference in 2018. In 2019, Ousley turned in an All-American year by becoming Muskingum University’s All-Time Career Sack leader, First Team All-OAC, OAC Defensive Lineman of the Year, and First Team AFCA Division III All-American. Ousley was also named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award-Which is presented to the nation’s top small college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA colleges and universities.
Prior to Muskingum, Pannone spent the 2017 season at Adrian College (MI). While at Adrian, He coached Defensive End Damon Fuller to First Team All-MIAA honors and Defensive Tackle Austin Kowalczyk to Second Team All-MIAA Honors.
Pannone also spent the 2015 and 2016 football seasons as an Offensive Graduate Assistant at Grand Valley State University (MI) under head coach Matt Mitchell working with Tight Ends and Offensive Line. In addition, to his time as a Graduate Assistant, Pannone spent three additional years as an undergraduate assistant for the Lakers working with the defensive backs and quarterbacks. During his time at Grand Valley, The Lakers complied a 40-15 record, winning the 2016 GLIAC Championship along with three NCAA playoff appearances, two NCAA super regional championships and two NCAA national semi-final appearances.
Pannone graduated from Grand Valley State University in the spring of 2015 with a B.S. in Communication with an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations.
Pannone resides in Quincy.
