London, ON - Michael Faulds has always believed in living where his feet are—present, grounded, and fully engaged. On the day he learned he would become the next head coach of the Mustangs Football program, that mantra took on new meaning. The call from Western's Director of Sports & Recreation Christine Stapleton confirming he was the successful candidate brought a surge of excitement—returning to London, the city where he and his wife, Stacy, went to school, where he spent five years as a student-athlete, and where so much of his football identity was shaped. But along with the thrill came an immediate sense of responsibility.
 
"There was that excitement, but at the same time, there was also that pressure to be successful," Faulds said. "It was kind of the mixed emotions of being super thrilled to be back, while also knowing I needed to meet the coaches, meet the players, and get to work."


 
That balance—between nostalgia and urgency, celebration and expectation—has defined Faulds' transition into one of the most storied programs in Canadian university football. Wearing the purple and white again wasn't just a homecoming; it was a return to a standard he knows intimately and a legacy he feels deeply connected to.
 
"It was special," he said of putting on the Western polo for the first time. "It brings you back to those moments of being a player and thinking about past teammates who are now alumni and supporters. Seeing me back in these colours with this logo just made sense to everyone—and it made sense to me."
 
A Transition Marked by Respect and Emotion
 
The announcement of Faulds' new role was a day filled with emotion. At Western, it was a moment of excitement and anticipation; at Laurier, where he had been head coach for 13 years, it was a moment of closure and transition. For Faulds, it was both.
 
"It was tough because at the same time I was being announced here, it was also being announced at Laurier," he said. "There were mixed emotions—sad and a little disappointed to be leaving there, but at the same time, ultra excited for what was ahead."
 
He insisted on clarity from day one, ensuring student-athletes at both schools knew the direction of their programs as soon as the winter term began. That urgency, he believes, allowed both programs to move forward without lingering uncertainty.
 
It also allowed for a meaningful moment with longtime Western head coach Greg Marshall. "When I first saw him in person, it was a bear hug beyond bear hugs," Faulds said. The two share a bond that goes back to Faulds' playing days and has carried through years of competition on opposite sidelines. Their mutual respect was on full display when Marshall introduced Faulds to the team—an introduction that, despite breaking on social media, still managed to surprise many players.


 
"The room just erupted," Faulds said. "I think there was that moment of realizing the rival coach standing in front of them was someone who cared deeply about this university and had been in their shoes 15 or 16 years ago."
 
Carrying the Legacy Forward
 
For Faulds, returning to Western isn't just about leading a football team; it's about continuing a lineage of coaches he deeply admires. He played for both legendary coaches Larry Haylor and Greg Marshall, and he was present for the transition between them—a full-circle moment he now experiences from the other side.
 
"I feel fortunate having played for both," he said. "To be in that lineage of amazing coaches is special and humbling to me. It was part of the decision—knowing that someone else in that office, on that sideline, would have felt weird for me."
 
He shared that perspective with the team, acknowledging that transitions can be difficult but also reminding them of the strength of the program's foundation. "It was the mindset of thanking Coach Marshall for all the time he gave to this institution while also being excited that Coach Faulds is here," he said.


 
That sense of continuity extends to the relationships he's built over the years—even when they were on opposite sidelines. "Every team circles Western as a big week," Faulds said. "It was exciting to play against Coach Marshall, but it was also humbling at times because there wasn't a lot of success. Over the last two years, we had the upper hand, but there was always respect. When either of us had a tough loss or a big win, we'd reach out to each other."
 
Building Relationships, One Conversation at a Time
 
From his first days back on campus, Faulds made it a priority to connect with every player in the program. He scheduled quick, 10-minute "speed dating" meetings—entrance meetings, as he called them—to learn about each athlete, their academic paths, their backgrounds, and their perspectives on the program.
 
"It's a people-driven business," he said. "Getting to know the players, and for them to see that I was taking the time to do that, was received very well."
 
He took the same approach with the coaching staff, building relationships with returning coaches and bringing in former teammate Craig Butler to add another familiar face to the room. "There was a new sense of energy, lots of excitement, and a lot of collaboration," Faulds said. "For the most part, the staff has stayed intact—and that's important for the players. If they were getting to know a new head coach and new coordinators, that's a lot. This way, it still looks, smells, and feels like Western football."
 
Finding His Own Voice Within the Tradition
 
Faulds is quick to acknowledge the identity that has made Western successful over the years—a physical brand of football built around dominance in the trenches and a relentless ground game. He doesn't plan to abandon that identity; instead, he wants to add his own flavour.
 
"It's probably a 50/50 split," he said of the balance between following tradition and introducing his own ideas. "What's made Western special is that it's going to be tough to play them in the trenches. You're going to have to try to run the ball against a formidable front seven, and you know Western is going to run the football. But we'll also add in some different motions, formations, and a bit more balance."
 
As a former quarterback, Faulds appreciates the value of a strong running game—and the pressure it takes off the quarterback, especially in late-season weather. "People say, 'Why would you go to Western? They just run the football,'" he said. "But then I remind them of my career, Will Finch's career, Chris Merchant's career. Some of the most successful quarterbacks in U SPORTS history played here while also having the best running attack in the country."


 
This season, with a veteran quarterback (Jérôme Rancourt) who brings a fullback's mentality, that balance may lean slightly toward the ground game. But Faulds is excited about the team's speed and skill, and he expects the offence to be able to stretch the field when defences load the box.
 
A New Era, Same Standard
 
Faulds is focused on the daily work that leads to championships. He refuses to look too far ahead, but he's clear about the program's goals.
 
"We've got to live where our feet are—every workout, every meeting, every practice," he said. "But the ultimate goal is Yates Cup champion and Vanier Cup champion. We have the talent, the coaches, the staff to make that a possibility. Now we just have to come together."
 
He knows the margins are thin in university football. "You can be 7-0 and two weeks later the season's over," he said. "That's how fragile it is. The champion last year lost more games than Western did—but it's about when you lose and how you peak."
 
For Faulds, the work is as much about culture as it is about X's and O's. He's intentional about building depth, developing young players, and creating an environment where competition brings out the best in everyone. It's a philosophy that extends from recruiting to game day.
 
"I believe we're good enough on paper right now to get it done," he said. "Now we just have to come together."
 
A Familiar Face, a New Voice
 
Game days will look different this year, but some things won't change. The intensity, the standard, and the expectation to compete for championships remain as strong as ever.
 
"I'm very intense on game days," Faulds said. "People are shocked when they see me on game days versus regular life. But for three hours once a week, you get to be that competitor—and there's a lot at stake."


 
He's also kept the door open for Coach Marshall to remain close to the program. "He's got an open invitation to the sideline," Faulds said with a smile. "But he's already picked out his seats in the stands. We'll see how much he wants to sit up there versus roam the sideline."
 
Whether from the sidelines or the stands, the legacy of Western football will be present—and Faulds is ready to carry it forward.
 
"Once the season hits, it's very repetitive—almost Groundhog Day—but you're building that team and that culture," he said. "I'm doing what I love, where I love."