Marshall's Next Chapter
Retired Football Legend Greg Marshall Reflects on Coaching Career, Anticipates Future
Greg Marshall, who spent 18 seasons building Western's Mustangs into a dynasty, officially retired in December 2025 — and this Saturday, Western will hold a gala in his honor at Thompson Arena London Free Press. At 67, Marshall walks away with a career U Sports record of 213–52–2, nine Yates Cups, and two Vanier Cup titles as head coach.
Marshall sat down with London Free Press on June 4 to reflect on nearly four decades in football. He said he plans to return to the sidelines this fall — this time as a fan — to watch successor Michael Faulds lead the purple and white.
Eighteen Seasons, 160 Wins, One Defining Legacy
Marshall took over as Western head coach in 2007, succeeding the legendary Larry Haylor. In his 18 seasons, the Mustangs went 160–34 in regular season and playoff play Western Mustangs Sports. He was named OUA Coach of the Year eight times and U Sports Coach of the Year three times. During his tenure, 55 Western players were drafted into the CFL.
Marshall has long described his coaching philosophy in simple terms: "I teach football." He built the program around academic culture and personal relationships, not just wins. "Winning happens when you create an environment of caring for people," he told Western News at the time of his retirement announcement. "Winning is just a game, but the friendships last forever."
Marshall Credits Mentor Larry Haylor for His Success
In his Q&A with London Free Press, Marshall pointed to Haylor as the single biggest influence on his career. Haylor coached Marshall when he played fullback at Western from 1978 to 1981 — a run that included a Hec Crighton Trophy win in 1980. Marshall later returned as Haylor's assistant from 1984 to 1996 before moving on to lead McMaster and the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Marshall said Haylor looked after him both on and off the field — a model he tried to carry forward with every player he coached. That relationship-first approach became a defining feature of what insiders call "The Western Way."
Michael Faulds Comes Home to a High-Stakes Job
On January 5, 2026, Western named Michael Faulds its 8th head football coach CTV News. Faulds played quarterback for Western from 2005 to 2009 and spent 13 years as head coach at Wilfrid Laurier before taking the job. He called his departure from Laurier "gut-wrenching" — and some in the Laurier community compared it to a high-profile NFL coaching defection 3DownNation.
Faulds said he plans to modernize Western's passing attack while keeping the program's physical identity. "I will do everything in my power to respect the tradition," Faulds said after his hiring 3DownNation. Marshall has praised the hire and said he is happy to hand over the keys to someone who understands what the program stands for.
Marshall Stays Close: A New Role in the Champions Club
Marshall is not walking away from Western entirely. He has moved into a role with the Champions Club, Western's alumni fundraising and donor network Western Alumni. The move keeps him connected to the program and ensures the school's large donor base stays engaged during the transition to Faulds. Western Athletic Director Christine Stapleton said Marshall "truly bleeds purple" and called him "one of the finest coaches to lead the Mustangs" Education News Canada.
Marshall told London Free Press he looks forward to sitting in the stands this fall — no clipboard, no headset. After 18 seasons running the show, he said he is excited to simply watch the game he loves.
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