Amherst College Men's Football

Led Amherst to 4 Perfect Seasons 6-Time NESCAC Champion 4-Time NESCAC Coach of the Year 2-Time AFCA Division III Region 1 Coach of the Year Coached 9 All-Americans (4 First Team selections) A four-time NESCAC Coach of the Year, E.J. Mills has led Amherst to four undefeated seasons since 2009 and has solidified himself as one of the top coaches and defensive minds in the country. Having just finished his 32nd overall season on the Amherst sidelines, and his 28th as head coach, in 2025, Mills has been a part of 178 of the program’s 671 total victories since 1877. Arriving in Western Massachusetts in the fall of 1993 and serving as a defensive coordinator through the 1996 season, Mills helped the team improve its record in each of his four years as an assistant alongside former head coach Jack Siedlecki. When Siedlecki made his move to take over as head coach at Yale University, Mills was named the interim head coach for the 1997 season and has been at the helm ever since. Amherst saw immediate success with Mills at the reins, posting 7-1 ledgers three times during his first 12 seasons before ultimately capturing the program’s first perfect 8-0 record since 1984 in 2009. An historic season on several fronts, Amherst won its first-ever outright NESCAC title, claimed the Little Three crown for the first time since 2004 and won at archrival Williams College’s Weston Field for the first time since 1985 en route to Mills garnering AFCA Division III Region 1 Coach of the Year and NESCAC Coach of the Year honors. Since then, the Mammoths have notched three more undefeated seasons (2011, 2014 and 2015) and have captured four more NESCAC titles to increase the program total to six. In 2011, Amherst led the league in scoring offense, turnover margin, and sacks en route to 13 All-Conference selections and another NESCAC Coach of the Year honor for Mills, while the 2014 squad boasted one of the top defenses in the country – leading Division III in scoring defense (8.9 ppg) and ranking 15th in total defense (273.1 ypg) – and racked up 11 All-NESCAC selections, including another league coach of the year honor for Mills, and the 2014 ECAC Team of Distinction Award.  Continuing their dominance into 2015, Amherst finished its campaign 8-0 for the second consecutive season to once again claim the NESCAC title outright. It was the first time the program finished without a loss in back-to-back seasons in its rich 138-year history. Concluding the year riding a program record 19-game winning streak, Amherst landed 15 All-Conference selections, the most ever for the Purple and White. Mills was selected as the NESCAC Coach of the Year for the second time in as many years, and for the fourth time overall, and earned his second AFCA Division III Region 1 Coach of the Year award. Amherst student-athletes have garnered a multitude of accolades on and off the field throughout Mills' tenure. Amherst has won three NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year and five NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year awards under Mills and his players have earned nine All-America selections, including four first-team nods. His student-athletes have garnered 44 Academic All-District accolades from College Sports Communicators while Paul Whiting '04 and Fletcher Ladd '04 were each named Academic All-Americans. Mills also counts among his former players four winners of the Swede Nelson Award for outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, sportsmanship and citizenship, and two winners of the Joe Zabilski Award as the most outstanding Division III defensive player in New England. Although Mills focuses on the development of his student-athletes more than he does statistics and records, the numbers cannot be overlooked. Under his tutelage as a defensive coordinator, the 1996 squad led the nation in scoring defense, allowing a miniscule 8.4 points per game. In 2001, Amherst tied a 21-year-old NCAA record by not allowing a single passing touchdown and, two years later, tied a conference record with four shutout victories. In 2009, Mills’ squad led Division III in rushing defense (50.9 ypg) and finished third in scoring defense (10.4 ppg), and in 2014, the Mammoths led the nation in scoring defense once again, surrendering just 8.9 points per game. In 2021, Mills' well-disciplined Mammoths averaged just 21.56 penalty yards per game to lead the nation. Before taking over as head coach of the football team, Mills spent the 1995 and 1996 seasons as the head coach of the Amherst softball team, compiling a 26-22-1 record. Prior to Amherst, Mills served as an assistant football coach at Ramapo College and the University at Albany after beginning his career as a social studies teacher and coach at Midlakes High School in New York. Mills played baseball collegiately at the University of Dayton and graduated in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in history and secondary education. Mills resides in Amherst with his wife, Angela Mills '95, and sons J.B. and Nate. E.J. MILLS COACHING CAREER 1997–present: Head Coach, Amherst College 1993–96: Defensive Coordinator, Amherst College 1992: Defensive Coordinator, Ramapo College 1991: Defensive Backs Coach, University at Albany 1990: Graduate Assistant, University at Albany 1988–89: Assistant Coach, Midlakes (NY) High School   E.J. MILLS CAREER COACHING RECORD Season Record NESCAC Finish 1997 7-1 T-1st 1998 5-3 T-4th 1999 5-3 T-3rd 2000 7-1 T-1st NESCAC Co-Champions 2001 7-1 2nd 2002 6-2 3rd 2003 4-4 T-5th 2004 6-2 T-2nd 2005 5-3 5th 2006 5-3 4th 2007 4-4 T-5th 2008 5-3 T-3rd 2009 8-0 1st NESCAC Champions 2010 6-2 3rd 2011 8-0 1st NESCAC Champions 2012 6-2 3rd 2013 7-1 T-1st NESCAC Co-Champions 2014 8-0 1st NESCAC Champions 2015 8-0 1st NESCAC Champions 2016 4-4 5th 2017 7-2 T-2nd 2018 8-1 T-1st 2019 4-5 T-5th 2020 no games 2021 5-4 4th 2022 2-7 10th 2023 4-5 5th 2024 2-7 8th 2025 5-4 T-4th Total (28 seasons): 158-74 (.681)  

(Recruiting Area: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, Southwest Ohio) The 2024 season marked Malik Grove's second season as the offensive coordinator as he enters his fourth year on the Amherst sidelines. He will also continue to serve as the quarterbacks coach. Grove re-joined the Amherst College football coaching staff for his second stint during the spring of 2022. He previously was a member of the Amherst football staff in 2018, when he coached the running backs. Grove helped guide Jack Hickey ’20 to an All-NESCAC First Team selection. The running backs room combined for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. Grove spent the three seasons between his Amherst stints at St. Thomas University in Florida as the quarterbacks coach. Grove’s quarterbacks threw for a combined 1,823 yards and 18 total touchdowns, between three quarterbacks, in his first year of the program. In his second year at St. Thomas, the team earned its first winning season in program history. Grove’s quarterbacks threw for a combined 931 yards and 12 touchdowns in a season shortened to six games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021 season, Grove’s quarterback room displayed tremendous growth by leading the team to a 9-2 record, while throwing for 2,336 yards and 24 touchdowns. Grove helped lead an offense that averaged 38.4 ppg and over 400 ypg. He played a major role in the development of junior Tyler Thomas who became an All-Sun Conference First Team Selection. In addition to being the quarterbacks coach, Grove was also the inaugural women’s bowling coach at St. Thomas. He led the women’s bowling team to a sectional berth in Smyrna, Tennessee. Grove played collegiately at Notre Dame College in Ohio. While at NDC, Grove was a three-time All-Conference and an All-Region quarterback. Grove is also the NCAA record holder for the lowest percentage of intercepted passes (1.29%). Originally from West Chester, Ohio, Grove earned his B.A. in business administration and accounting from Notre Dame College. Grove recently completed his graduate studies, earning his M.A. in sports administration.  

Antonio Young joined the Amherst coaching staff in 2024 and enters his second season as the secondary coach in 2025. Young came to Amherst with five years of prior coaching experience. Prior to joining the Mammoths, he worked as a recruiting analyst for a Division II historically Black university in Virginia. In the fall of 2023, Young worked with the defensive backs at Nichols College in Dudley. The defensive backs accounted for eight interceptions as the Nichols defense tied for second in the conference with 10 Interceptions and led the conference in interception return yards (159). Young coached Derrick Revolus, a 2022 All-New England safety, to lead the conference in interceptions (4) and defensive touchdowns, and rank fourth overall in passes defended (7). Revolus was named CCC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 5 of the 2023 season. First-year Jonathan Ferrara and Revolus both recorded multiple interceptions in a game under Young’s coaching. Young spent two seasons with Abby Kelley Charter High School coaching defensive backs & running backs. In his first year, Young was pass game coordinator and facilitated collegiate recruitment for the Bears, sending Bryce Kissi to Rutgers as a successful preferred walk-on. Promoted to interim defensive coordinator in the final three games of the 2021 season, Young’s defense recorded eight sacks, two Interceptions, a defensive touchdown and one shutout. The punt team accounted for two touchdowns and 434 return yards. In his second season with the Bears, Young took over as the defensive coordinator. The 2022 season showed immediate program improvement as the Bears started the season 3-0 for the first time in school history allowing only 30 points and boasting one shutout. The team set a school record in wins, allowed only 41 rushing yards in Week 2 and allowed fewer than 50 passing yards in Weeks 3 and 5. The defense under Young’s command totaled 27 sacks, 61 tackles for loss, 16 pass breakups and 3 interceptions. Young coached seven All-League and four Division 8 All-Stars in two seasons. Young played professional indoor football for the New England Bobcats and New Hampshire Calvary in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, Young and the Bobcats won the EIF Rhino Bowl and Young received the team’s Ninth Man of the Year award. In 2019, the Calvary won the New England Arena League Championship while Young was named Co-Defensive MVP of the league as a safety. While excelling in the arena, Young also contributed to the community, attending five community engagement events by participating in local field day events for the youth of Lowell, volunteering with Toys for Tots Lowell, and delivering food to families during Thanksgiving and Christmas for the Lowell Food Shelf. While playing for the Calvary, Young was head of the personal training department and held the title of assistant manager of club operations for Crunch Fitchburg. Young’s coaching career started at his alma mater Becker College in 2015 where he worked as a volunteer on the defense during his fifth year as a student under defensive coordinator Frank Forcucci. That year the team went 7-3, setting a program record in wins. Young took an unpaid position in the spring season of 2016 as the defensive line coach and transitioned into a paid position in the fall of 2016. Young coached defensive line and outside linebackers for the run game and coached Preseason All-American nose tackle Alexander Stewart, who recorded 64 tackles, 36 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. Stewart received First Team All-Conference, Worcester All-Area Team and Week 10 ECFC Player of the Week honors. First-year Christian Perkins received Week 2 ECFC Player of the Week and ECFC All-Freshman Team honors in 2016 under Young’s guidance. Young coached four All-Conference defensive players and two All-Academic players. Young is a graduate of Becker College with a bachelor of science in psychology and holds a masters certificate in human resource management from Fitchburg State. As a player, Young was a started in 26 games for the Hawks, recorded 60 tackles and was a defensive captain as a senior. He was invited to the Division Three All-American Game in January 2015 and was recognized as a Worcester Gazette All-Area Honorable Newcomer as a freshman in 2011. A native of Enfield, Connecticut, Young graduated from Enfield High School in 2011. A three-sport athlete, Young was a senior captain for the football and wrestling teams at EHS. The Raiders football team finished the 2010 season second in the conference and ninth in Class M. Young was also an NCC All-Conference wrestler ranked in the top 10 in Class M. Young resides in Gardner with his wife Sarah, daughter Scarlett and stepson Ayden.  

(Recruiting Area: New Jersey, Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware) Luke Bussard joined the Amherst coaching staff in 2005 and enters his 21st year (20th season) on the sidelines in 2025. Bussard has served as the team's defensive coordinator since 2009 and coaches the linebackers. Amherst has won five NESCAC championships, including four undefeated seasons, since Bussard joined the staff. The 2009 season was Bussard's first attempt at coordinating the defense, and he responded brilliantly by helping the Purple & White lead all of Division III in rushing defense and sacks per game, also finishing third in the nation in scoring defense and fourth in red zone defense. During another 8-0 season in 2011, Bussard spearheaded a defense that surrendered only 12.6 points per game, led the NESCAC in sacks (28) and ranked third in total defense. In 2012, the Purple & White boasted the conference's best run defense (110.6), while ranking second in the league in points (14.9) and yards allowed per game (281.0). The 2013 season was even more impressive as the stingy Amherst defense allowed a league-low 11.8 points per game, while leading the NESCAC in sacks (22) and interceptions (20), and ranking second in yards per game (297.9), while the unit led the country in scoring defense (8.9 ppg) and ranked 15th in total defense (273.1 ypg) en route to another perfect 8-0 season in 2014. Finishing the 2015 season with a perfect 8-0 record once again, Bussard helped the Purple & White finish first in the NESCAC in points allowed per game (9.9), and total points allowed (79); and second in yards per game (293.6), and rushing yards per game (90.3). Prior to Amherst, Bussard coached for three seasons at Norwich University, where he guided the football team to a pair of ECAC bowl games and also served as an assistant baseball coach, taking on the associate head baseball coaching role in his final season. Before Norwich, he was the director of student activities at the Tilton School in Tilton, N.H., where he coached football and baseball as well. A native of Wilmington, Del., Bussard earned his MBA from Norwich in 2006. He and his wife, Natalie Blais, reside in nearby Sunderland with their two sons, Shane and Danny.

(Recruiting Area: Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Northern Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia) Eddy Augustin joined the Amherst coaching staff in 2008 and enters his 18th year (17th season) on the sidelines in 2025. Augustin serves as the special teams coordinator and coaches the defensive line. Amherst has won five NESCAC championships, including four undefeated seasons, since Augustin joined the staff. Under Augustin's leadership, Amherst's 2009 defensive line allowed only 50.9 rushing yards and picked up 4.75 sacks per game, with both averages leading all of Division III. In 2010 his special teams units led the NESCAC in kickoff coverage, touchbacks, field goal conversion rate and PAT percentage, also finishing second in punting average. The 2011 season was equally successful for Augustin, as the Purple & White led the league in sacks (28) and kickoff coverage. In 2013, the Amherst defensive line helped hold opponents to 99.1 yards per game on the ground while recording a league-high 22 sacks, and the special teams unit boasted the league's top placekicker. The defensive line totaled 21 sacks to finish second in the conference in 2014, while the kicking game ranked second in both field goals made (7) and average kickoff (62.3 yards per kick). In the 2015 season, the Purple & White led the NESCAC in field goal percentage (90%) while recording 18 sacks. The 2021 Mammoths were the only team in the NESCAC to post a perfect season on point after touchdown attempts, going 19-for-19. A native of Malvern, Pa., Augustin majored in psychology at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams. Augustin’s coaching résumé includes stints at Las Lomas High School in California, Norwich University, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and at his college alma mater. Off the field, Augustin spent time as an academic athletic advising and compliance intern at Sonoma State University and as an academic athletic advising and recruiting intern at University of Pennsylvania. Earning a master’s degree in sports psychology at John F. Kennedy University in California. He and his wife, Georgina, reside in Amherst with their daughters, Morgan and Avelynn, and their dog, Auggie the doggie.

(Recruiting Area: Connecticut, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa) Matt Ballard joined the Amherst coaching staff in 2004, making 2025 his 21st season on the Amherst sidelines. He has coached the offensive line for the past 18 years and has also served as defensive line coach, special teams coordinator and offensive coordinator during his time in purple and white. Amherst has won five NESCAC championships, including four undefeated seasons, since Ballard joined the staff. Amherst's 2008 offensive line was one of the best in program history, as the Purple & White allowed a Division III-best five sacks throughout the year under Ballard's tutelage. The next three years were equally impressive, as Amherst led the NESCAC in fewest sacks allowed in 2009 (8), 2010 (7) and 2011 (6). In 2015, the offensive line paved the way for the top rushing attack in the conference, as it averaged a stellar 201.5 yards per game. Ballard joined Amherst after five seasons as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, three seasons as the head coach at Cathedral High School in nearby Springfield, Mass., another three-season stint as the offensive line coach at WPI, and two years as a graduate assistant at the University of Albany. While at Albany, Ballard worked on the same staff as Amherst head coach E.J. Mills and earned a master’s degree in education. Ballard graduated from Albany in 1990 and was a two-year starter at offensive tackle, earning CoSIDA Academic All-District honors as a senior.