Montclair State University Athletics

Mike Palazzo was named the eighth head coach in Montclair State Football history in November 2022. In just two seasons at the helm, he has re-energized the program, building a culture of accountability, success, and community impact.

In his debut season, Palazzo guided the Red Hawks to a 5-5 record, including a 4-2 mark in NJAC play. His team went 3-1 against New Jersey rivals, highlighted by a dominant 42-7 Homecoming victory over The College of New Jersey in 2023.

Palazzo’s leadership has already produced standout results:

• 3 NJAC Players of the Year (Nick Burgess – 2023, Arnold Young – 2024)
• 3 All-Americans (2024)
• 20 All-NJAC selections in his first two seasons

Before being named head coach, Palazzo served as Defensive Coordinator in 2022, where he led Montclair State to the #1 scoring defense in the NJAC — a unit that set the tone for the program’s resurgence.

Beyond wins and accolades, Palazzo is known for his commitment to creating meaningful experiences for his players and giving back to the community. He:

• Founded the Breakfast Bowl vs. Rowan University, a game that raises awareness and support to fight food insecurity
• Helped launch the inaugural Hinchliffe Classic — the first college football game played at historic Hinchliffe Stadium (Paterson, NJ) in over 80 years
• Fundraised the program’s first international trip, allowing every player to travel free of charge to Ottawa, Canada, where the Red Hawks defeated the Ottawa Sooners 41-16 on May 16, 2025

A proud Montclair State alum, Palazzo has deep roots in the program. He previously served as:

• Student Assistant during the 2007 ECAC South Atlantic Championship season
• Tight Ends/Video Coordinator (2012–2013)
• Wide Receivers Coach (2015–2021)

He also spent the 2014 season at Division I Towson University as Defensive Quality Control, assisting the defensive coordinator with film breakdown and practice planning.

As a student-athlete, Palazzo appeared in 29 games and was part of two NJAC Championship teams. He earned the Fred Hill Hustle Award in 2008 and the Alan Coder Award in 2011, given to players who exemplify loyalty, unselfishness, and a team-first mindset. He also competed for four years on the MSU Track & Field team.

A graduate of Toms River South and the 2006 All-Shore Conference Game MVP, Palazzo earned his B.A. in Social Studies Education and his M.S. in Sports Administration from Montclair State. He currently resides in Little Falls, NJ.