Meet the GMs and Coaches

Scott Sperone took over as the Head Football Coach at Fitchburg State University in February 2020. He and his staff recruited 71 players from 20 states. Sperone is looking forward to bringing in another strong class in 2021 and competing this fall.

Prior to Fitchburg State, Sperone served as the Defensive Coordinator at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. At WPI his defense was ranked nationally as a top 20 defense in scoring and total defense all three years of his tenure. From 2017-2019 the Engineers Defense also recorded 7 Shutouts. Sperone was on staffs that won 2 New England Bowls, broke the school record for wins and won a MASCAC Championship in 2019.

Before WPI, Sperone helped Brian Surace rebuild the Fairleigh Dickinson University football program for six seasons as the Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator. Sperone recruited Isaiah Turner, who became the 5th AFCA All-American at FDU and served as captain of FDU’s first winning season in 25 years. Sperone also held the roles of Academic Coordinator and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator within the Devils Football Program.

Sperone’s first Defensive Coordinator job was at Merrimack College, under Head Coach John Perry. In his first season at Merrimack in 2008 the Warriors defense finished 3rd nationally in Division II with 4.1 sacks per game. In 2009 Merrimack won the Northeast 10 Championship. Sperone coached 3 All-Americans on his defensive units including Shawn Loiseau who played for the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. His efforts as Recruiting Coordinator brought in athletes from 14 different states in three years.

Prior to becoming a Defensive Coordinator, Sperone spent three years on the offensive side of the ball at Brown University (Running Backs) and Williams College (Wide Receivers). At Brown, the Bears offense led the Ivy League in Points and Total Offense in 2007. At Williams, Sperone Coached 2 All-Conference Wide Receivers, Brendan Fullmer – who led the league in touchdowns, and John Dreckhahn – who led the league in receptions and later participated in camp with the New York Jets.

Sperone went to Springfield College, where he played safety from 1997-2000 while majoring in Physical Education. His first coaching job was at King’s College as the Outside Linebackers Coach. He then returned to Springfield as a Graduate Assistant Cornerbacks Coach while completing his Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration. Sperone also coached at Stonehill College as the Defensive Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator in 2004.

• Fitchburg State University, Head Coach, 2020-current
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Defensive Coordinator – 2017-2019
• Fairleigh Dickinson University, Defensive Coordinator – 2011-2016
• Merrimack College, Defensive Coordinator – 2008-2010
• Brown University, Running Backs Coach – 2006-2007
• Williams College, Wide Receivers Coach – 2005
• Stonehill College, Defensive Backs Coach – 2004
• Springfield College, Cornerbacks Coach – 2002-2003
• King’s College, Outside Linebackers Coach – 2001

Mike Kelleher / Former Brown DC

Mike Kelleher was the defensive coordinator at Brown University for 19 years and before that coached at FCS colleges Columbia, Rhode Island and Maine. He is wired into the Ivy League programs and other FCS programs around the country.

Nico Papas

Nico Papas was an All-State high school player in MA, and played his college ball at Columbia (D1AA, Ivy League), where he was a four year varsity player, playing in every game but one of his 40 game career. Nico has been heavily involved in high school football coaching/recruiting since graduation, and has a wide range of experiences related to helping HS football players maximize their potential. He is the director of Premier Football Consulting, and has worked with over 300 Student Athletes who have all gone onto play college football. Nico has also worked for Elite Football Clinics and Private Tutoring as a coach. His knowledge of the recruiting process, and connections to college/prep football coaches will be a valuable asset to any of the players in “The League”

Jeremy Bandy

Mike Gregiore

Kevin Kelly

Tim Freiermuth