Beefeaters Hall Of Fame Inductee Receives National Coaching Award

London Beefeaters Alumni and Hall of Fame Inductee Mike Circelli has received an award from U Sports. Circelli, the current Windsor Lancers Defensive Line Coach, is this year’s recipient of the Gino Fracas Award for volunteer football coach of the year. 

Circelli received the award in London over the weekend as part of the Vanier Cup festivities. He is the first Lancer to receive this award.  

Circelli played for the Beefeaters in the mid 1970s, where he served as a team captain, and returned as Head Coach from 2001-2003. Circelli was nominated as the Canadian Junior Football League’s Coach of the Year in just his first season as Head Coach. Circelli is also a former General Manager of the blue and red. Circelli and the 2001 team were inducted into the Beefeaters Hall of Fame this season. Circelli still has ties to the Beefeaters program, as current Head Coach Matt Synder played for him as quarterback from 2001 - 2003.  

( 2nd from left: London Beefeaters Head Coach Matt Snyder, 3rd from left: Mike Circelli)

Circelli joined the Lancers in 2019 and serves on a coaching staff with his sons, Jean-Paul who is the Head Coach and Joe who is the Offensive Coordinator. 

The Lancers finished this season with a 4-4 record and made the playoffs for the first time since 2014 before losing a close game 43-40 in Ottawa against the Gee-Gees. 

Circelli has been coaching football in Ontario for the past 40 years at various levels.  Circelli, a retired teacher, turned his alma mater Catholic Central High School football program into a football powerhouse in London. Circelli also served as the Western Mustangs Defensive Line Coach from 2007-2015.