Paul Ferraro returns to the Columbia football staff as a senior analyst ahead of the 2025 season. In his current role, he will analyze film and provide additional input on future opponents.
Ferraro previously served for seven years as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator for the Lions from 2015-21, and brings over 40 years of experience at the NCAA Division I and National Football League levels.
Under Ferraro, Columbia defenses ranked among the nation’s top-10 in four different statistical categories and among the top-20 in 11 different statistics. In addition, 21 Columbia defensive players have earned All-Ivy League honors.
Despite suffering injuries to over 25 key players, Columbia completed its 2018 season with a 6-4 overall and 3-4 Ivy League record. Once again, Columbia’s defense proved to be a key factor as the Lions yielded just 25.2 points per game, finished with 30 sacks, the fourth-highest team total in school history, ranked No. 5 nationally in first downs defense and rated No. 2 in the Ivy League in defensive third down efficiency. Columbia also set a game school-record with 10 sacks at Brown on Nov. 10 and junior Daniel DeLorenzi established a new school-record for season sacks with 10 sacks on the year. DeLorenzi and safety Ryan Gilbert both earned First Team All-Ivy League honors, while linebacker Sean White (second team), safety Landon Baty (honorable mention), and Mike Hinton (honorable mention) also earned conference accolades.
In 2017, Columbia’s defense was a major factor in the Lions finishing 8-2 overall and in second place in the Ivy League with a 5-2 record. Once again, Columbia ranked among national leaders in a variety of defensive statistics including scoring defense (No. 14, 17.5), red zone defense (No. 11, 69 percent), team passing efficiency defense (No. 16), and third down defensive efficiency percentage (No. 14, 31 percent). Four Lions earned All-Ivy League honors including defensive lineman Lord Hyeamang (first team), cornerback Cameron Roane (first team), safety Landon Baty (second team), and linebacker Michael Murphy (honorable mention).
The 2016 season saw the Lions’ defense rank among the nation’s best in several statistical categories including third down conversion defense (No. 5, 29.3), first downs defense (No. 7, 177.0), and team tackles for loss (No. 14, 7.6 per game). In addition, the Lions also finished No. 39 in total defense and No. 43 in scoring defense (24.7 points per game allowed). Four defensive players earned All-Ivy League honors including middle linebacker Gianmarco Rea, who led the league in tackles, safety Brock Kenyon, defensive back Cameron Roane, and defensive lineman Lord Hyeamang.
In his first year at Columbia in 2015, the Lions made the biggest leap in the FCS, going from No. 115 in total defense the year before, to No. 8 at 291.1 yards allowed per game in 2015. The Lions kept points off the scoreboard, allowing just 19.8 points a game, which ranked as the No. 17 best tally in the country. Columbia held opponents to 13 points or less four times, as five defensive players earned All-Ivy League honors, led by defensive linemen Toba Akinleye (first team), Niko Padilla (second team) and Chad Washington (second team).
Before his tenure at Columbia, Ferraro served two years as the defensive coordinator at Maine. In 2012, his Black Bear team led the Colonial Athletic Association in scoring defense, before he helped lead the squad to a CAA Championship and an FCS playoff appearance in 2013.
Ferraro made his NFL debut in 2005 as the Carolina Panthers' assistant special team’s coach. He then took over the special teams coordinator position with the Minnesota Vikings from 2006-08, and led the linebackers with the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11.
Ferraro jumped to the NFL after working as Rutgers' defensive coordinator from 2001-04, as the Scarlet Knights led the Big East in sacks, takeaways, and third-down defense in 2004.
In his two seasons as the defensive backs coach at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets went 8-4 in 1999 and faced Miami in the Gator Bowl. The next year, they posted a 9-3 mark and advanced to take on LSU in the Peach Bowl.
From 1991-98, Ferraro nestled down in Northwest Ohio as Bowling Green's defensive coordinator. The Falcons claimed the 1991 and 1992 Mid-American Conference titles, while also topping Fresno State in the 1991 California Bowl and then Nevada in the 1992 Las Vegas Bowl.
Ferraro earned his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at UMass in 1982. Before joining the staff at Bowling Green, he served stints at Syracuse (1983), Villanova (1984-86), Dartmouth (1987), Catholic University (1988), the first of two stops at Maine (1989) and Ohio (1990).
A 1982 graduate from Springfield College, Ferraro was an All-New England defensive back his senior year in 1981. He went on to receive his master's degree at Syracuse.
Ferraro is a native of Ridgewood, N.J. and was inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame in 2006.
THE PAUL FERRARO FILE
Hometown: Ridgewood, N.J.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Springfield College, 1982; Masters degree, Syracuse University, 1986, Ridgewood High School, 1977.
Coaching Career
Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, Columbia University, 2015-current
Defensive Coordinator, University of Maine, 2012-13
Linebackers Coach, St. Louis Rams, 2009-11
Special Teams Coordinator, Minnesota Vikings, 2006-08
Assistant Special Teams Coach, Carolina Panthers, 2005
Defensive Coordinator, Rutgers University, 2001-04
Defensive Backs Coach, Georgia Tech, 1999-2000
Defensive Coordinator, Bowling Green State University, 1991-98
Linebackers Coach, Ohio University, 1990
Linebackers Coach, University of Maine, 1989
Assistant Head Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, Catholic University, 1988
Defensive Coordinator, Dartmouth College, 1987
Defensive Coordinator, Villanova University, 1984-86
Graduate Assistant, Syracuse University, 1983
Graduate Assistant, University of Massachusetts, 1982
Playing Career
Four-year letterman at defensive back at NCAA Division III Springfield (1979-82) … All-East selection … Inducted into the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 … Awarded Ridgewood’s Outstanding Senior Athlete award … Acknowledged as one of the greatest two-way football players in the school’s history … First Team All-Decade linebacker by the Record … Two-time First Team All-County, All-Suburban and All-NNJIL All-Star … First-ever single-season 1,000-yard rusher in school history and held the single-season rushing record of 1,079 yards (9 GP) for 28 years … His father Mario is also inducted into the Ridgewood Athletic Hall of Fame.
