Mike Lopez

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With unmatched energy, enthusiasm and innovation, head coach Mike Lopez is determined to return Fairmont State to the prominence it enjoyed in previous decades. In four years as head coach, the Fairmont State alum and letterman has impacted every facet of the program in a positive manner and made improvements to get FSU to the next level. His deep love for his alma mater and surrounding community heighten his passion to bring the Falcons to glory.

Lopez, who was known for his heart and motor as a player, is more than just an excited young coach on the sideline. He brings an intricate knowledge of the game, particularly defensively, in which he has consistently engineered one of the top units in the WVIAC and country. Prior to becoming the Fairmont State head coach in 2007, Lopez spent the previous five seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Falcons. His defense was at the top of nearly every statistical category in the league at some point during his tenure, including 2004 when his unit was the best in the league in 20th in the country in total defense. Even as head coach, he still served as defensive coordinator leading the league once again in total defense in 2007.

In his first season as head coach in 2007, Lopez led Fairmont State to its first winning season in six years. The Fighting Falcons rallied late in the year to rattle off four-straight wins. Fairmont State had 19 players earn all-conference honors – more than any other team in the league – including WVIAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Vince Black. In 2008, the Falcons went 5-6, and Nate Black and David Hill were first team All-WVIAC selections, with Hill going on to become the sixth player in seven years to earn All-America honors. In 2009, Fairmont State had nine players earn All-WVIAC honors, including three first team selections on the defensive side of the ball.

Last season, the Falcons narrowly missed a winning season (5-6) after falling in three games decided by eight points or less. Still, FSU produced its first WVIAC Offensive Freshman in Logan Moore, and had five Falcons earned first team All-WVIAC honors (three defensive, two special teams) and 11 more were recognized by the league. Ben Landis and Dewey McDonald earned all-region accolades, and McDonald earned All-America honorable mention honors for his play at free safety. Falcon seniors Perry Baker (wide receiver) and Matt Khouri (offensive lineman) played in several postseason all-star games and attracted attention from NFL scouts.

In his four seasons as head coach, Lopez has produced 17 first team All-WVIAC selections along with numerous regional honors and three All-Americans. Including his time as defensive coordinator, he has coached seven All-Americans: Josh Ison (2002), Ed Smith (2003), Matt Vance (2005), Andre Pope (2006), Vince Black (2007), David Hill (2008) and Dewey McDonald (2010), and one Academic All-American: Jason Dauch (2004).

Beyond the field of play, Lopez demands his players embrace the Division II student-athlete mentality of “life in the balance.” Over the past few seasons the football programs has maintained over a 2.9 grade point average and graduated over 70 percent of its players (nearly double the general student body) while also volunteering in the community in a variety of capacities. Lopez believes in the total development of the student-athlete and wants the football program to be a source of pride within the local community. As a former Fighting Falcon himself, he has also worked hard at reuniting fellow football players with the current program.

The Fairmont State football philosophy incorporates the motto of “becoming better people,” and the development and growth of people is what Lopez aims for. With a strong service approach and a life skills program, the student-athletes have received a great deal of respect and admiration from the university, community and their families. Lopez, with the support of Dr. Greg Hinton, has encouraged leadership and positive choices to help these young men continue to make positive choices and develop into well-rounded individuals. The football program has participated in over 50 community service projects since Lopez took over as head coach. The program is also a strong supporter of the Marion County Boys and Girls Club with proceeds of its spring game going to that organization, and last year was the top fundraising group during the annual Salvation Army bell ringing campaign during the holiday season.

Lopez was a standout defensive end for the Falcons and was a team captain during the 1996-97 seasons. The 1996 Falcons won the West Virginia Conference championship.

He is a 1993 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg and played his first two years of college football at Potomac State College in Keyser, W.Va. He was a team captain for the Catamounts. He transferred to Fairmont in the spring semester of 1996 and finished his career with the Falcons, graduating with honors in 1998. He then enrolled in graduate school at West Virginia University, where he was named the Graduate Student of the Year in the School of Physical Education in 2001. At the same time, Lopez remained a student-assistant coach at Fairmont State. The 2000 football team also won the West Virginia Conference championship. While in graduate school, he served as a graduate assistant instructor in the School of Physical Education. While working on his second master’s degree, he served as a graduate assistant on Rich Rodriguez’s first WVU football staff during the 2001 season.

Coach Lopez and his wife Jaclyn are the proud parents of Liliana and Roman, and reside in Clarksburg.