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Didn't seem worth making a whole topic for a DC leaving, so giving it a more generic title. From KVOE:
https://kvoe.com/2026/05/08/loporto-...-esu-football/
Long-time Emporia State assistant football coach Mike LoPorto announced via Facebook on Friday that he was stepping away following 22 years with the program as a player and coach. LoPorto joined the coaching staff in 2008 as a graduate assistant. He then joined as the full-time defensive line coach before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2012. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2020. LoPorto played linebacker at Emporia State joining the Hornets for the 2004 season and wrapped his career with 46 tackles. In 2025, he helped coach Landon Boss to the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year award. LoPorto said in his post that he is stepping away to focus on his family. In his tenure with ESU, LoPorto helped the Hornets to three playoff appearances and four bowl game victories.
From my perspective on campus here, really solid guy who went above and beyond to try to make sure guys were succeeding off the field as well as on. Big loss for the program both on the sidelines and culturally.
I wouldn't mind seeing us give McDown (co-DC for last three years, one of the better defensive players in school history) the job, but he's relatively young, so I really don't know what the view of Higgins and the AD will be.
https://kvoe.com/2026/05/08/loporto-...-esu-football/
Long-time Emporia State assistant football coach Mike LoPorto announced via Facebook on Friday that he was stepping away following 22 years with the program as a player and coach. LoPorto joined the coaching staff in 2008 as a graduate assistant. He then joined as the full-time defensive line coach before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2012. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2020. LoPorto played linebacker at Emporia State joining the Hornets for the 2004 season and wrapped his career with 46 tackles. In 2025, he helped coach Landon Boss to the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year award. LoPorto said in his post that he is stepping away to focus on his family. In his tenure with ESU, LoPorto helped the Hornets to three playoff appearances and four bowl game victories.
From my perspective on campus here, really solid guy who went above and beyond to try to make sure guys were succeeding off the field as well as on. Big loss for the program both on the sidelines and culturally.
I wouldn't mind seeing us give McDown (co-DC for last three years, one of the better defensive players in school history) the job, but he's relatively young, so I really don't know what the view of Higgins and the AD will be.