Head Coach Mike Iezzi enters his fifth season as the Setters' head coach after spending the six seasons as Pace's defensive coordinator. Iezzi also served as the team's linebackers coach during that time. Last season, Iezzi guided the Setters to one of its best seasons since 2001 as they posted a 4-6 record in 2008.
Coach Iezzi's recruiting efforts paid this past off season as the Setters brought in a number of Division I and Junior College transfers, particularly from Iona College and University of Connecticut. This high-quality group of transfers coupled with a solid incoming freshman class and the returning core players from last season's team, Coach Iezzi expects the Setters build off their four wins in 2008.
In 2008, the Setters saw an overall improvement on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Pace dramatically improved from 2007, averaging 275 yards of total offense per game last year. On defense, the Setters continued to rank among the leaders in the Northeast-10 Conference, ranking fifth in total defense. Coach Iezzi's defense also ranked four in tackles for loss and second in red zone defense in 2008.
Coach Iezzi joined the Pace football staff in 1999 as the defensive coordinator following a one-year stint in the same role at St. Peter's College. Prior to working at St. Peter's, Iezzi spent seven years on the staff of Kean College (NJ). He began his coaching career in 1989 as Kean's outside linebacker coach and JV coach. He coached the defensive line in 1990 and the inside linebackers in 1991 before being named the defensive and recruiting coordinator in 1992. In 1995, he was promoted to the associate head coach.
Iezzi earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from
Kean College in 1988. He was an all-conference linebacker for Kean,
and was the team captain from 1985-1988. Mike and his wife Laurie
reside in Ringwood, NJ with their daughter Sabrina and sons, Nick
and Brandon.
