CWRU Athletics Mourns the Loss of Former Football Assistant Coach Mickey Iliano
The Case Western Reserve University Department of Physical Education and Athletics is mourning the loss of former long-time Assistant Football Coach Mickey Iliano, who passed away at the age of 68 on August 10.
Iliano served as an assistant on the Spartans' staff from 2001 to 2016, working mostly with the offensive line. During his time at CWRU, Iliano coached numerous All-UAA selections and was a member of the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year five times. He also guided the offensive line during the program's 38-game regular season win streak from 2007-10 and three consecutive NCAA Playoff appearances (2007-09). He was named the College Assistant Coach of the Year by the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation in 2016.
Iliano had coached alongside CWRU Head Coach Greg Debeljak since the 1994 season, when the two each served as assistants on the John Carroll staff. His coaching career also included stops at the University School (1990-93) and Beachwood High School (1981-89).
Iliano was a 1975 graduate of Collinwood High School and a 1980 graduate of the University of Dubuque (Iowa). At Dubuque, Iliano captained both the football and baseball teams, and the football team reached the NCAA Division III Playoffs his senior year.
"I knew Mick as a passionate football coach and devoted family man," said Debeljak. "He pushed his players to become the best they could be. He worked to improve every player in his charge, no matter if they were All Americans or backups that rarely saw the field. He was tough but caring, and a tenacious competitor. He loved the game and being part of a team. He made everyone around him better. I know he made me a better coach and person. I will miss my friend greatly, as will the hundreds of players that he coached over his lifetime."