AIC Vice President for Athletics Lou Izzi is pleased to announce the appointment of Lou Conte as the head coach of the football program.

Conte, a native of Western Massachusetts, returns to Springfield after serving as interim head coach at NCAA Division I (FCS) The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina this past season. Before that appointment, Conte was The Citadel’s offensive coordinator for six seasons. Conte was instrumental in guiding The Citadel to a Southern Conference championship, consecutive NCAA appearances, and a 2016 national rushing title.

“I am excited to welcome Lou Conte as the new head coach of the AIC football program,” said Izzi. “Lou has achieved considerable success at the NCAA Division I and II levels. He is a dynamic coach with outstanding football acumen, a passion for excellence, and a wealth of recruiting experience. I am impressed with Lou’s strong commitment to building student-athletes on and off the field and supporting their personal development and academic success.”

Before The Citadel, Conte was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. Working with the running backs and special team units, Conte helped Lenoir-Rhyne win three consecutive South Atlantic Conference championships and reach the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2013. In each of Conte’s three seasons, Lenoir-Rhyne finished as one of the top three rushing teams in the nation, setting the all-time NCAA rushing record for one season with 5,563 yards.

“With great excitement and enthusiasm, I am proud to accept the role of head football coach at American International College,” said Conte.  “As natives of Western Massachusetts, my wife and I are thrilled to be bringing our family home. Much of my life has been spent in Springfield, and I’ve always held AIC and its athletics programs in high regard. I thank Vice President for Athletics, Lou Izzi, Director of Athletics, Jess Chapin, and College president, Dr. Hubert Benitez, for allowing us this tremendous opportunity. We have a vision for the direction of AIC football, and we cannot wait to get to work.”

Conte graduated with a master of physical education with a concentration in athletic administration from Springfield College where he was a three-year letter winner in football and a member of two FFC conference championship teams. He also received a graduate certificate in leadership from The Citadel. Conte will begin his tenure at AIC on January 13, 2023.