Primary Recruiting Areas: Northeast New Jersey, Connecticut 

Mike Gennetti enters his third season at the head football coach at Merrimack College after he took over the program ahead of the 2024 campaign. Prior to be promoted to head football coach, Gennetti served as a Merrimack assistant coach for 19 seasons.

A longtime architect of the Merrimack defense, Gennetti played an integral role in the program's transition to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, which started in the 2019-20 academic year. He was part of coaching staffs that guided the Warriors to back-to-back Northeast Conference (NEC) championship games following the move to Division I.

Gennetti, who serves as the defensive play-caller, has developed Merrimack into one of the Northeast's most respected defensive programs. His 2023 unit led the nation in third-down conversion defense, highlighting a stretch of tremendous success on that side of the ball.

The Warriors continued their ascent during the 2021 season, highlighted by a 35-21 victory over No. 24 Holy Cross for the program's first-ever win over a nationally ranked FCS opponent. Merrimack finished the season 5-6 overall, while four defensive players earned All-NEC recognition.

When Merrimack began its transition to Division I and joined the NEC in 2019, Gennetti's defense quickly established itself against new competition. The Warriors led the conference in sacks and ranked among the league leaders in interceptions and tackles for loss. Merrimack also ranked third in the NEC in both scoring and total defense.
Gennetti's defenses also enjoyed sustained success during Merrimack's final seasons at the Division II level. Despite battling numerous injuries in 2018, the Warriors finished with the second-best turnover margin in the Northeast-10 Conference after they forced 17 takeaways. Merrimack also ranked fourth in the league in red-zone defense while five defensive players earned all-conference recognition.

In 2017, Merrimack ranked fourth in the NE10 in total defense, allowing 348.9 yards per game, while producing one of the program's strongest seasons against the run. The Warriors ranked second in the conference at 124.3 rushing yards allowed per game and finished second with 25 sacks.

One of Gennetti's most dominant defensive units came in 2015 when Merrimack ranked second in the NE10 in scoring defense at just 18.0 points allowed per game. The performance represented an improvement of more than 10 points per game from the previous season. The Warriors also led the conference with 36 sacks. Three members of the defense earned all-conference honors, two received CCA All-Super Region I recognition and there was one named an honorable mention All-American.

The foundation for that success had been established over the previous seasons. Merrimack ranked among the NE10's top five in interceptions and forced fumbles in 2014, while two Warriors earned all-conference recognition. In Gennetti's first season as defensive coordinator, the Warriors ranked second in the conference in yards allowed per game and third in both sacks and fumble recoveries.

Gennetti also helped develop some of the most accomplished defensive players in program history. His 2011 defense featured All-Americans Shawn Loiseau and Tony Johnson, who were named the NE10 Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year, respectively. Both players earned their respective awards for the second time in their careers.

Before becoming defensive coordinator, Gennetti served as Merrimack's linebackers coach. His linebacking corps anchored the Merrimack defense in 2009 and 2010, with Loiseau setting the program's single-season tackles record in consecutive years and earning NE10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2010.
Prior to arriving at Merrimack, Gennetti spent two seasons at his alma mater, Worcester State, serving as defensive backs coach and strength and conditioning coach. During his tenure, the Lancers made a dramatic improvement in pass defense, rising from 17th nationally in 2003 to first in the country in 2004. He coached three all-conference selections at Worcester State, including the 2003 MASCAC Rookie of the Year.

As a student-athlete, Gennetti was a four-year starter at defensive back for Worcester State and served as team captain during his senior season in 2002. He earned Worcester All-Area First Team recognition in 2000 after recording eight interceptions in nine games, a total that ranked sixth nationally. He later received Worcester State's Senior Male Athlete of the Year award for his leadership and accomplishments in athletics.

Gennetti graduated from Worcester State in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in public policy and community development.

He resides in Derry, New Hampshire, with his wife, Erin, and their three children, Lily, Jack and Juliana.