LONDON — Michael Faulds is heading back to the University of Western Ontario.

Faulds was named Western’s head football coach Monday after 13 years heading up Laurier’s football program.

Faulds played quarterback for the Mustangs from 2005-09, leading the team to two Yates Cup championships.

Faulds will now replace Greg Marshall as Western’s head coach and become just the eighth in school history.

Marshall served as coach for 18 years before announcing his retirement in December after leading the Mustangs to nine Yates Cup titles and two Vanier Cup wins.

“Michael is a highly respected head coach and an exceptional leader within U Sports,” Christine Stapleton, Western’s director of sports and recreation, said in a statement. “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 led Laurier to consecutive undefeated regular seasons in 2024 and ’25, earning consecutive U Sports coach of the year honours. He also earned the nod 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,” Faulds said. “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 report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2026.