London, ON - Western University is pleased to announce the hiring of Michael Faulds as the eighth Head Football Coach in the nearly 100-year-old storied history of the Mustangs football program. 

"Michael is a highly respected head coach and an exceptional leader within U SPORTS," said Christine Stapleton, Director of Sports and Recreation. "During the recruitment process he demonstrated the vision required to ensure Western student-athletes excel on and off the field while continuing the championship-calibre play synonymous with the Mustangs," she added. 

Faulds will assume the role of head coach in January, working closely with retiring head coach Greg Marshall to ensure a smooth transition. 

He comes to Western from Wilfrid Laurier University where he served as Head Football Coach for the past 13 years. Faulds led the team to two undefeated regular seasons in 2024 and 2025, earning him back-to-back U SPORTS Coach of the Year honours, in addition to winning it in 2016.  

"I'm thrilled for this opportunity to lead the Western Mustangs football program and come back to the place I played for five amazing years of my life," said Faulds. "I was fortunate to have played for two legendary coaches in Larry Haylor and Greg Marshall, and I will do everything in my power to respect the tradition and legacy they have laid and make everyone proud of the team we put out on the field each and every year." 

This is a homecoming for Faulds who showed great leadership as a Western student-athlete from 2005 to 2009. One of the Mustangs' greatest quarterbacks of all time, he led the team to two Yates Cup Championships under Greg Marshall's mentorship. 

Faulds earned two degrees from Western — a BA in social science in 2009 and an MA in health sciences in 2012. 

"I know Western's deeply committed alumni and passionate fan-base will join me in congratulating Michael and supporting the Mustangs' future success," said Stapleton. 

Returning to Western and the London community is important to Faulds.  

"My family and I are excited to come back to London where we have so much family support and many friends. My wife Stacey and I met at Western back in 2006, so to come back 20 years later is significant and special," said Faulds. 

I'm excited to get started and continue building the momentum of this incredible football program."