Football
Longo, Phil
Phil Longo
- Title:
- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
- Phone:
- 919-966-2575
Phil Longo, a 32-year coaching veteran, joined the North Carolina football staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on Dec. 11, 2018. Longo joined Mack Brown’s staff following a two-year stint as the offensive coordinator at Ole Miss. Over his last 13 seasons as an offensive coordinator, Longo has helped produce a 109-55 (.664) record, won six conference championships, and made six playoff appearances.
One of the top coaches in college football with 26 years of experience running his offense, Longo’s 2021 offense continued to show why it’s one of the most productive in the nation. Despite the departure of four NFL Draft picks, the Tar Heels posted 35.2 ppg (19th NCAA/3rd ACC) and 468.2 ypg (10th NCAA/3rd ACC), while leading the ACC (17th NCAA) in rushing yards with 2,763. It marks the second consecutive season that UNC led the ACC in rushing yards. With another 1,000-yard receiver and two 1,000-yard rushers, Longo’s offense has produced the most 1,000-yard rushers nationally over the last three seasons with five and is tied for second nationally with four 1,000-yard receivers. In fact, UNC and Alabama are the only two programs nationally that have produced a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver in each of the last three seasons. Even with the departure of four NFL skill players, the offense continued to produce explosive plays. The Tar Heels tied for seventh nationally with 80 plays of 20+ yards, tied for fifth with 42 plays of 30+ yards, and tied for 10th with 13 plays of 50+ yards. Individually, QB Sam Howell produced another stellar season, throwing for 3,056 yards and 24 TDs, while rushing for 827 yards (1,100 minus sack yardage) and 11 TDs. Howell finished his career ranked fifth all-time in ACC history with 111 TDs responsible for and fifth in passing yards with 10,283. His 92 career TD passes rank third in ACC history and are the most by any QB in three or fewer seasons. Over his three seasons, Howell set 27 school records, including passing yards, passing TDs, pass efficiency and total offense. WR Josh Downs set UNC single-season records with 101 receptions and 1,335 yards to earn first-team All-ACC honors. In one season with the Tar Heels, RB Ty Chandler rushed for 1,092 yards and 13 TDs, while earning second-team All-ACC honors. Howell and offensive linemen Joshua Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan claimed All-ACC honorable mention.
Longo’s 2020 unit set a number of school records and was one of the most explosive offenses in ACC history. The unit averaged 537.2 yards per game and 41.7 points per game, both UNC records. The 537.2 ypg rank fifth all-time in the ACC and the 41.7 ppg rank ninth. On the season, the total yards were fifth nationally and first in the ACC, while the points were ninth nationally and second in the ACC. The 6,447 total yards and the 500 total points rank second on UNC’s single-season list. Once again, the Tar Heels balance was evident as they rushed for 235.8 ypg (11th NCAA/2nd ACC) and passed for 301.4 ypg (18th NCAA/2nd ACC). They also led the conference in both pass efficiency (177.6 rating/7th NCAA) and first downs (317/2nd NCAA). As for the explosive label, Carolina tied for first nationally in plays of 20+ and 50+ yards (87/14), while ranking second or tied for second in 10+, 40+ and 60+ yard plays (255/22/8). The rushing attack led the country in runs of 10+ yards (109) and 20+ yards (35), while the passing attack ranked sixth in 10+ yard plays (146), 7th in 30+ yard plays and tied for second in both 50+ and 60+ yard plays (10/5). Due to the offenses success, running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams and wide receiver Dyami Brown each earned All-America honors, while being finalists or semifinalists for national positional awards. QB Sam Howell continued his brilliant career, throwing for 3,586 yards and 30 TDs behind a 68.1 completion percentage. Howell’s passing yards ranked fourth nationally and his 30 TD passes ranked sixth. The sophomore marksman also ranked fourth nationally at 15.1 yards per completion. Howell’s 68 TD passes over his first two seasons set the ACC record for most TD passes through a sophomore season.
In 2019, Longo’s balanced attack averaged 474 yards per game (285.8p/188.2r), which ranked third on UNC’s single-season list and 12th nationally. The offense’s 33.1 points per game ranked fifth on UNC’s single-season list, 30th nationally and second in the ACC. Carolina ranked second in the ACC, fifth in the Power 5, and ninth nationally in plays of 20+ yards with 90. Much of the offense’s success was thanks to Longo’s star pupil QB Sam Howell. Under Longo’s guidance, Howell set UNC freshman records in completions (259), attempts (422), passing yards (3,641) and passing TDs (38). Howell’s completions rank fifth on UNC’s single-season list and the attempts were tied for third, while the passing yards rank second. Howell’s 38 TD passes are the most by a true freshman in FBS history, the second most by a freshman (true or redshirt) in ACC history, rank third on the ACC’s single-season chart and rank fourth nationally. He led the ACC in both passing yards and TDs. Howell’s 154 passing plays of 10+ yards were fifth nationally and tops among freshman QBs. He is also eighth with 58 completions of 20+ yards, tied for seventh with 30 completions of 30+ yards and tied for fifth with 17 completions of 40+ yards. The running back combination of Michael Carter and Javonte Williams each produced at least 1,000 all-purpose yards, making UNC one of just eight schools nationally and one of only three Power 5 teams to have two running backs accomplish the feat. Meanwhile, the receiving trio of Dyami Brown, Dazz Newsome and Beau Corrales combined for 28 TDs, which tied for the third most by a trio in the nation.
Longo engineered two successful seasons at Ole Miss, producing top-20 units both years. In 2018, his offense ranked seventh nationally in yards per play (7.1), ninth in total offense (510.5 ypg), fifth in passing offense (346.4), 25th in red zone offense (88.9) and 33rd in scoring offense (33.9). The Rebels finished the year sixth on the SEC’s all-time list for passing yards per game and were first in the nation in first down production.
Rebels WR A.J. Brown earned various All-America honors in Longo’s system, while offensive lineman Greg Little claimed second-team All-America honors. It marked just the third time, and first since 1959, two Rebels earned FWAA All-America honors in the same season. Brown, Little and WR D.K. Metcalf are all projected to be high draft picks in the 2019 NFL Draft.
In 2017, the Rebels thrived in Longo’s system and became the nation’s fastest scoring team at just 99 seconds per scoring drive. Ole Miss averaged 462.3 yards of total offense to rank second in the SEC and 18th nationally. The offense produced the conference’s best passing game with 328.4 ypg (11th nationally). Quarterbacks Shea Patterson and Jordan Ta’amu each recorded three games of at least 350 yards passing, as Ole Miss became the fourth FBS team over the past 20 seasons to accomplish that feat. Following Patterson’s season-ending injury, Ta’amu and the Rebel offense did not skip a beat under Longo’s guidance.
Ole Miss was one of the nation’s best red zone teams in 2017 with a 95.3 percentage of success to rank sixth in the country. The Rebels not only excelled in the air but on the ground as well. Senior running back Jordan Wilkins tallied 1,011 yards to become just the fifth Rebel in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.
Three Rebels recorded at least 600 yards receiving, including Brown, who was a sophomore at the time. In his first season in Longo’s offense, Brown set single-season school records for receiving yards (1,252) and receiving touchdowns (11). DaMarkus Lodge (698 yards) and D.K. Metcalf (646 yards) hauled in seven touchdowns apiece.
Prior to arriving at Ole Miss, Longo engineered one of the nation’s best FCS offenses at Sam Houston State. He guided the Bearkats to the FCS Playoffs in each of his three seasons, while shattering the record books. The 2016 team went 12-1 and boasted the nation’s No. 1 total offense (547.3 ypg), No. 2 scoring offense (49.5 ppg), No. 2 passing offense (368.3 ypg) and No. 37 rushing offense (179.0 ypg) out of 122 FCS teams. They scored touchdowns on 80.3 percent of their red zone chances, also best in the nation. Sam Houston posted more than 4,500 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in 2016, a feat no FBS team accomplished. Longo was named FCS Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop following the season.
In Longo’s three years on head coach K.C. Keeler’s staff, SHSU won the Southland Conference twice (2014, 2016) and compiled a 34-10 overall record. The Bearkats advanced to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs in 2014 and ‘15 and the quarterfinals in ‘16, while rising as high as No. 1 in the FCS national polls in both 2015 and ‘16.
The red zone was a key area of success for Longo’s offense. Over his three years, no FBS team had more red zone touchdowns than the 145 scored by the Bearkats.
Despite featuring a pass-heavy attack, Longo’s units also ranked top 10 among FCS teams in rushing in both 2014 and ‘15. Sam Houston produced 1,000-yard rushers in 2014 (Keshawn Hill) and 2015 (Corey Avery) and a 900-yard rusher in 2016 (Remus Bulmer).
In 2015, Sam Houston’s 7,975 total yards set a Southland Conference season record and ranked third all-time in NCAA Division I FCS history. The Bearkats led the nation in total offense (531.7 ypg) and first downs per game (27.6). They ranked No. 5 in scoring (41.1 ppg) and No. 9 in rushing (254.5 ypg), while also ranking 14th in third-down conversions (45.7 percent).
The 1,275 plays run by Longo’s offense in 2015 were also a league record. Three times over his three seasons SHSU ran more than 100 plays in a game, including a school-record 118 plays in the 2015 NCAA opening-round victory over Southern Utah.
In 2014, Longo’s attack led the Southland in rushing (241.6 ypg, 9th nationally) and red zone offense (90 percent, 8th nationally).
Regarded as an outstanding recruiter and quarterbacks coach, Longo helped Bearkats QB and first-team All-American Jeremiah Briscoe set a school record with 4,602 passing yards in 2016, while Sam Houston had the first two 1,000-yard receivers in school history in junior Yedidiah Louis (1,152) and freshman Nathan Stewart (1,004). Briscoe led all FCS players with 57 touchdown passes (to 10 interceptions), while ranking second nationally in passing (354.0 ypg) and third in total offense (349.9 ypg).
Longo began his tenure at Slippery Rock as wide receivers coach in 2011 before assuming the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach duties in 2012. In his first year as OC, Longo installed his offense which resulted in The Rock averaging 34.8 points and 407.3 total yards per game.
In his second year as offensive coordinator in 2013, the Longo-led Rock Air Raid averaged 43.3 points and 536.5 yards per game. The no-huddle attack finished the nation ranked fourth nationally in total offense, sixth in passing offense and eighth in both scoring offense and first downs. SRU led the 16-team Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in all those categories and set SRU single-season school records for points scored, total offense and passing yards. Senior QB Nigel Barksdale was the second Harlon Hill Trophy nominee, the DII Player of the Year, coached by Longo. He also mentored Ted Schafke at Minnesota-Duluth.
In 2010, Longo served as the receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Youngstown State, where he mentored first-team all-conference pick senior Dominique Barnes (signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions). Barnes set a school record by catching a pass in 34 consecutive games and finished his career ranked second in school history in receptions.
Prior to joining the YSU staff, Longo spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois, helping the program post a 15-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference record and back-to-back conference championships. SIU was 20-5 overall during Longo's tenure as offensive coordinator.
In 2009, Southern Illinois ranked seventh in the FCS in scoring offense (34 ppg) and 21st in total offense (394.8 ypg). The statistics were even more impressive considering SIU lost its starting quarterback Chris Dieker midway through the season and turned the reigns over to freshman Paul McIntosh. Both quarterbacks had success in different ways for Longo. Dieker (signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers) excelled in the passing game (1,326 yards), while McIntosh shined in the rushing attack (588 yards and six touchdowns). The duo combined for 2,879 yards of total offense, 18 touchdown passes, a 61.5 completion percentage and just nine interceptions.
One of biggest beneficiaries of the well-balanced system was running back Deji Karim, a former backup, who became one of the nation's leading rushers his senior year. Karim, the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year, finished third in the balloting for the prestigious Payton Award, the FCS most outstanding offensive player, after a season in which he rushed for 1,694 yards, 18 TDs and a 7.1 per carry average. Karim was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and also played for the Houston Texans.
The Salukis reached the FCS Quarterfinals before losing to William & Mary. SIU was 11-2 overall and undefeated (8-0) in the MVFC. Southern Illinois spent seven weeks as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation.
In 2008, Longo directed a Saluki attack that featured a 1,000-yard rusher in Larry Warner and a passing game that was ranked No. 2 in the conference. These accomplishments were even more impressive since Southern had to replace 8 of 11 starters including all of its skill positions.
Prior to SIU, Longo was the offensive coordinator under Bubba Schweigert at University of Minnesota-Duluth (2006-07). UMD's offense ranked at or near the top in most offensive categories including second in passing offense both seasons. Longo mentored receiver Brandon Anson (signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals) and quarterback Ted Schlafke, who posted numerous Division II passing records and went on to win the 2008 Division II National Championship.
From 2004-05, Longo served as head coach at LaSalle. During his time at the LaSalle helm, Longo produced two MAAC Offensive Player of the Year award winners, five All-Americans and 13 All-MAAC selections. His 2004 offense ranked second in the nation among Division I-AA mid-major schools. In addition, he oversaw an offensive unit that established 19 school records and finished first in the MAAC.
Longo joined LaSalle after serving as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at William Paterson University (2000-01). In 2001, William Paterson sported one of the top offenses in Division III. The Pioneer offense finished with the third-highest scoring average in school history while equaling or setting 27 school records.
Longo began his coaching career in the high school ranks. As head coach at Parsippany Hills High School, Longo took over a program with a winning percentage of .217 over the 33 years prior to his arrival. He led the Vikings to their first appearance ever in the New Jersey State playoffs and their first undefeated championship season. Longo left as the winningest coach in school history. In 1999, his team competed in and won the 11th highest scoring game in the history of high school football. Longo earned NJ Star Ledger and Daily Record Coach of the Year honors in 1999 and was awarded the Sportsmanship, Ethics & Integrity Award by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
A Bayville, N.J. native, Longo began his collegiate playing career at East Stroudsburg University, where he played quarterback in 1987. The following year, he transferred to Rowan University, where he played from 1988-1991 under the tutelage of former UNC head coach John Bunting and K.C. Keeler, who he would later coach under at Sam Houston State. As a running back at Rowan, he was a member of the school's first New Jersey Athletic Conference championship and NCAA Division III playoff team as a senior. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Rowan in 1992.
Longo and his wife Tanya are the parents of daughters Gianna, Macaria and Morgan, and son, Nico.
The Longo File
Personal
Birthdate: April 17, 1968
Hometown: Bayville, N.J.
Wife: Tanya
Children: daughters, Gianna, Macaria and Morgan, and son, Nico
Education
College: Rowan ‘92
One of the top coaches in college football with 26 years of experience running his offense, Longo’s 2021 offense continued to show why it’s one of the most productive in the nation. Despite the departure of four NFL Draft picks, the Tar Heels posted 35.2 ppg (19th NCAA/3rd ACC) and 468.2 ypg (10th NCAA/3rd ACC), while leading the ACC (17th NCAA) in rushing yards with 2,763. It marks the second consecutive season that UNC led the ACC in rushing yards. With another 1,000-yard receiver and two 1,000-yard rushers, Longo’s offense has produced the most 1,000-yard rushers nationally over the last three seasons with five and is tied for second nationally with four 1,000-yard receivers. In fact, UNC and Alabama are the only two programs nationally that have produced a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver in each of the last three seasons. Even with the departure of four NFL skill players, the offense continued to produce explosive plays. The Tar Heels tied for seventh nationally with 80 plays of 20+ yards, tied for fifth with 42 plays of 30+ yards, and tied for 10th with 13 plays of 50+ yards. Individually, QB Sam Howell produced another stellar season, throwing for 3,056 yards and 24 TDs, while rushing for 827 yards (1,100 minus sack yardage) and 11 TDs. Howell finished his career ranked fifth all-time in ACC history with 111 TDs responsible for and fifth in passing yards with 10,283. His 92 career TD passes rank third in ACC history and are the most by any QB in three or fewer seasons. Over his three seasons, Howell set 27 school records, including passing yards, passing TDs, pass efficiency and total offense. WR Josh Downs set UNC single-season records with 101 receptions and 1,335 yards to earn first-team All-ACC honors. In one season with the Tar Heels, RB Ty Chandler rushed for 1,092 yards and 13 TDs, while earning second-team All-ACC honors. Howell and offensive linemen Joshua Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan claimed All-ACC honorable mention.
Longo’s 2020 unit set a number of school records and was one of the most explosive offenses in ACC history. The unit averaged 537.2 yards per game and 41.7 points per game, both UNC records. The 537.2 ypg rank fifth all-time in the ACC and the 41.7 ppg rank ninth. On the season, the total yards were fifth nationally and first in the ACC, while the points were ninth nationally and second in the ACC. The 6,447 total yards and the 500 total points rank second on UNC’s single-season list. Once again, the Tar Heels balance was evident as they rushed for 235.8 ypg (11th NCAA/2nd ACC) and passed for 301.4 ypg (18th NCAA/2nd ACC). They also led the conference in both pass efficiency (177.6 rating/7th NCAA) and first downs (317/2nd NCAA). As for the explosive label, Carolina tied for first nationally in plays of 20+ and 50+ yards (87/14), while ranking second or tied for second in 10+, 40+ and 60+ yard plays (255/22/8). The rushing attack led the country in runs of 10+ yards (109) and 20+ yards (35), while the passing attack ranked sixth in 10+ yard plays (146), 7th in 30+ yard plays and tied for second in both 50+ and 60+ yard plays (10/5). Due to the offenses success, running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams and wide receiver Dyami Brown each earned All-America honors, while being finalists or semifinalists for national positional awards. QB Sam Howell continued his brilliant career, throwing for 3,586 yards and 30 TDs behind a 68.1 completion percentage. Howell’s passing yards ranked fourth nationally and his 30 TD passes ranked sixth. The sophomore marksman also ranked fourth nationally at 15.1 yards per completion. Howell’s 68 TD passes over his first two seasons set the ACC record for most TD passes through a sophomore season.
In 2019, Longo’s balanced attack averaged 474 yards per game (285.8p/188.2r), which ranked third on UNC’s single-season list and 12th nationally. The offense’s 33.1 points per game ranked fifth on UNC’s single-season list, 30th nationally and second in the ACC. Carolina ranked second in the ACC, fifth in the Power 5, and ninth nationally in plays of 20+ yards with 90. Much of the offense’s success was thanks to Longo’s star pupil QB Sam Howell. Under Longo’s guidance, Howell set UNC freshman records in completions (259), attempts (422), passing yards (3,641) and passing TDs (38). Howell’s completions rank fifth on UNC’s single-season list and the attempts were tied for third, while the passing yards rank second. Howell’s 38 TD passes are the most by a true freshman in FBS history, the second most by a freshman (true or redshirt) in ACC history, rank third on the ACC’s single-season chart and rank fourth nationally. He led the ACC in both passing yards and TDs. Howell’s 154 passing plays of 10+ yards were fifth nationally and tops among freshman QBs. He is also eighth with 58 completions of 20+ yards, tied for seventh with 30 completions of 30+ yards and tied for fifth with 17 completions of 40+ yards. The running back combination of Michael Carter and Javonte Williams each produced at least 1,000 all-purpose yards, making UNC one of just eight schools nationally and one of only three Power 5 teams to have two running backs accomplish the feat. Meanwhile, the receiving trio of Dyami Brown, Dazz Newsome and Beau Corrales combined for 28 TDs, which tied for the third most by a trio in the nation.
Longo engineered two successful seasons at Ole Miss, producing top-20 units both years. In 2018, his offense ranked seventh nationally in yards per play (7.1), ninth in total offense (510.5 ypg), fifth in passing offense (346.4), 25th in red zone offense (88.9) and 33rd in scoring offense (33.9). The Rebels finished the year sixth on the SEC’s all-time list for passing yards per game and were first in the nation in first down production.
Rebels WR A.J. Brown earned various All-America honors in Longo’s system, while offensive lineman Greg Little claimed second-team All-America honors. It marked just the third time, and first since 1959, two Rebels earned FWAA All-America honors in the same season. Brown, Little and WR D.K. Metcalf are all projected to be high draft picks in the 2019 NFL Draft.
In 2017, the Rebels thrived in Longo’s system and became the nation’s fastest scoring team at just 99 seconds per scoring drive. Ole Miss averaged 462.3 yards of total offense to rank second in the SEC and 18th nationally. The offense produced the conference’s best passing game with 328.4 ypg (11th nationally). Quarterbacks Shea Patterson and Jordan Ta’amu each recorded three games of at least 350 yards passing, as Ole Miss became the fourth FBS team over the past 20 seasons to accomplish that feat. Following Patterson’s season-ending injury, Ta’amu and the Rebel offense did not skip a beat under Longo’s guidance.
Ole Miss was one of the nation’s best red zone teams in 2017 with a 95.3 percentage of success to rank sixth in the country. The Rebels not only excelled in the air but on the ground as well. Senior running back Jordan Wilkins tallied 1,011 yards to become just the fifth Rebel in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.
Three Rebels recorded at least 600 yards receiving, including Brown, who was a sophomore at the time. In his first season in Longo’s offense, Brown set single-season school records for receiving yards (1,252) and receiving touchdowns (11). DaMarkus Lodge (698 yards) and D.K. Metcalf (646 yards) hauled in seven touchdowns apiece.
Prior to arriving at Ole Miss, Longo engineered one of the nation’s best FCS offenses at Sam Houston State. He guided the Bearkats to the FCS Playoffs in each of his three seasons, while shattering the record books. The 2016 team went 12-1 and boasted the nation’s No. 1 total offense (547.3 ypg), No. 2 scoring offense (49.5 ppg), No. 2 passing offense (368.3 ypg) and No. 37 rushing offense (179.0 ypg) out of 122 FCS teams. They scored touchdowns on 80.3 percent of their red zone chances, also best in the nation. Sam Houston posted more than 4,500 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in 2016, a feat no FBS team accomplished. Longo was named FCS Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop following the season.
In Longo’s three years on head coach K.C. Keeler’s staff, SHSU won the Southland Conference twice (2014, 2016) and compiled a 34-10 overall record. The Bearkats advanced to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs in 2014 and ‘15 and the quarterfinals in ‘16, while rising as high as No. 1 in the FCS national polls in both 2015 and ‘16.
The red zone was a key area of success for Longo’s offense. Over his three years, no FBS team had more red zone touchdowns than the 145 scored by the Bearkats.
Despite featuring a pass-heavy attack, Longo’s units also ranked top 10 among FCS teams in rushing in both 2014 and ‘15. Sam Houston produced 1,000-yard rushers in 2014 (Keshawn Hill) and 2015 (Corey Avery) and a 900-yard rusher in 2016 (Remus Bulmer).
In 2015, Sam Houston’s 7,975 total yards set a Southland Conference season record and ranked third all-time in NCAA Division I FCS history. The Bearkats led the nation in total offense (531.7 ypg) and first downs per game (27.6). They ranked No. 5 in scoring (41.1 ppg) and No. 9 in rushing (254.5 ypg), while also ranking 14th in third-down conversions (45.7 percent).
The 1,275 plays run by Longo’s offense in 2015 were also a league record. Three times over his three seasons SHSU ran more than 100 plays in a game, including a school-record 118 plays in the 2015 NCAA opening-round victory over Southern Utah.
In 2014, Longo’s attack led the Southland in rushing (241.6 ypg, 9th nationally) and red zone offense (90 percent, 8th nationally).
Regarded as an outstanding recruiter and quarterbacks coach, Longo helped Bearkats QB and first-team All-American Jeremiah Briscoe set a school record with 4,602 passing yards in 2016, while Sam Houston had the first two 1,000-yard receivers in school history in junior Yedidiah Louis (1,152) and freshman Nathan Stewart (1,004). Briscoe led all FCS players with 57 touchdown passes (to 10 interceptions), while ranking second nationally in passing (354.0 ypg) and third in total offense (349.9 ypg).
Longo began his tenure at Slippery Rock as wide receivers coach in 2011 before assuming the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach duties in 2012. In his first year as OC, Longo installed his offense which resulted in The Rock averaging 34.8 points and 407.3 total yards per game.
In his second year as offensive coordinator in 2013, the Longo-led Rock Air Raid averaged 43.3 points and 536.5 yards per game. The no-huddle attack finished the nation ranked fourth nationally in total offense, sixth in passing offense and eighth in both scoring offense and first downs. SRU led the 16-team Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in all those categories and set SRU single-season school records for points scored, total offense and passing yards. Senior QB Nigel Barksdale was the second Harlon Hill Trophy nominee, the DII Player of the Year, coached by Longo. He also mentored Ted Schafke at Minnesota-Duluth.
In 2010, Longo served as the receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Youngstown State, where he mentored first-team all-conference pick senior Dominique Barnes (signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions). Barnes set a school record by catching a pass in 34 consecutive games and finished his career ranked second in school history in receptions.
Prior to joining the YSU staff, Longo spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois, helping the program post a 15-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference record and back-to-back conference championships. SIU was 20-5 overall during Longo's tenure as offensive coordinator.
In 2009, Southern Illinois ranked seventh in the FCS in scoring offense (34 ppg) and 21st in total offense (394.8 ypg). The statistics were even more impressive considering SIU lost its starting quarterback Chris Dieker midway through the season and turned the reigns over to freshman Paul McIntosh. Both quarterbacks had success in different ways for Longo. Dieker (signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers) excelled in the passing game (1,326 yards), while McIntosh shined in the rushing attack (588 yards and six touchdowns). The duo combined for 2,879 yards of total offense, 18 touchdown passes, a 61.5 completion percentage and just nine interceptions.
One of biggest beneficiaries of the well-balanced system was running back Deji Karim, a former backup, who became one of the nation's leading rushers his senior year. Karim, the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year, finished third in the balloting for the prestigious Payton Award, the FCS most outstanding offensive player, after a season in which he rushed for 1,694 yards, 18 TDs and a 7.1 per carry average. Karim was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and also played for the Houston Texans.
The Salukis reached the FCS Quarterfinals before losing to William & Mary. SIU was 11-2 overall and undefeated (8-0) in the MVFC. Southern Illinois spent seven weeks as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation.
In 2008, Longo directed a Saluki attack that featured a 1,000-yard rusher in Larry Warner and a passing game that was ranked No. 2 in the conference. These accomplishments were even more impressive since Southern had to replace 8 of 11 starters including all of its skill positions.
Prior to SIU, Longo was the offensive coordinator under Bubba Schweigert at University of Minnesota-Duluth (2006-07). UMD's offense ranked at or near the top in most offensive categories including second in passing offense both seasons. Longo mentored receiver Brandon Anson (signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals) and quarterback Ted Schlafke, who posted numerous Division II passing records and went on to win the 2008 Division II National Championship.
From 2004-05, Longo served as head coach at LaSalle. During his time at the LaSalle helm, Longo produced two MAAC Offensive Player of the Year award winners, five All-Americans and 13 All-MAAC selections. His 2004 offense ranked second in the nation among Division I-AA mid-major schools. In addition, he oversaw an offensive unit that established 19 school records and finished first in the MAAC.
Longo joined LaSalle after serving as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at William Paterson University (2000-01). In 2001, William Paterson sported one of the top offenses in Division III. The Pioneer offense finished with the third-highest scoring average in school history while equaling or setting 27 school records.
Longo began his coaching career in the high school ranks. As head coach at Parsippany Hills High School, Longo took over a program with a winning percentage of .217 over the 33 years prior to his arrival. He led the Vikings to their first appearance ever in the New Jersey State playoffs and their first undefeated championship season. Longo left as the winningest coach in school history. In 1999, his team competed in and won the 11th highest scoring game in the history of high school football. Longo earned NJ Star Ledger and Daily Record Coach of the Year honors in 1999 and was awarded the Sportsmanship, Ethics & Integrity Award by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
A Bayville, N.J. native, Longo began his collegiate playing career at East Stroudsburg University, where he played quarterback in 1987. The following year, he transferred to Rowan University, where he played from 1988-1991 under the tutelage of former UNC head coach John Bunting and K.C. Keeler, who he would later coach under at Sam Houston State. As a running back at Rowan, he was a member of the school's first New Jersey Athletic Conference championship and NCAA Division III playoff team as a senior. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Rowan in 1992.
Longo and his wife Tanya are the parents of daughters Gianna, Macaria and Morgan, and son, Nico.
The Longo File
Personal
Birthdate: April 17, 1968
Hometown: Bayville, N.J.
Wife: Tanya
Children: daughters, Gianna, Macaria and Morgan, and son, Nico
Education
College: Rowan ‘92
Longo Coaching History
| Years | School | Title |
| 2019- | North Carolina | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks |
| 2017-18 | Mississippi | Offensive Coordinator |
| 2014-16 | Sam Houston State | Offensive Coordinator |
| 2012-13 | Slippery Rock | Offensive Coodinator/Quarterbacks |
| 2011 | Slippery Rock | Wide Receivers |
| 2010 | Youngstown State | Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2008-09 | Southern Illinois | Offensive Coordinator |
| 2006-07 | Minnesota Duluth | Offensive Coordinator |
| 2004-05 | LaSalle | Head Coach |
| 2002-03 | LaSalle | Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator |
| 2000-01 | William Paterson | Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator |
| 1996-99 | Parsippany Hills HS | Head Coach |
Postseason Experience As a Coach
| Years | School | Bowl |
| 2021 | North Carolina | Duke's Mayo Bowl |
| 2020 | North Carolina | Orange Bowl |
| 2019 | North Carolina | Military Bowl |
| 2016 | Sam Houston State | FCS Quarterfinals |
| 2015 | Sam Houston State | FCS Semifinals |
| 2014 | Sam Houston State | FCS Semifinals |
| 2013 | Slippery Rock | DII First Round |
| 2009 | Southern Illinois | FCS Quarterfinals |
| 2008 | Southern Illinois | FCS First Round |
Carolina Insider - Interview with Caleb Wilson (Full Segment) - September 22, 2025
Monday, September 22
UNC Volleyball: Thorpe Sets New Career High in 4-Set Win vs ECU
Sunday, September 21
UNC Field Hockey: Heck's 5 Goals Propel Heels Over Stanford, 8-1
Sunday, September 21
UNC Men's Soccer: Tar Heels Fight for 1-1 Draw vs SMU
Sunday, September 21
