Mike Silianoff, a former teammate of head coach Jerry Schmitt at Westminster College, will enter his 19th season as assistant head coach and offensive line coach in 2025.
Silianoff has helped guide the Dukes to nine league titles—two MAAC championships (2006, 2007) and all six NEC titles (co-2011, co-2013, 2015, co-2016, co-2018, 2023, 2025)—as well as three NCAA FCS Playoff appearances (2015, 2018, 2023). The 2018 Dukes recorded the program’s first-ever FCS Playoff win at No. 16 Towson, with Silianoff’s offensive line paving the way for 282 rushing yards.
Over his tenure, 14 of Silianoff’s offensive linemen have earned All-NEC honors 26 times, including Dan Buchholz (2015), Larson Graham (2014–16), Ben Huss (2014–17), Matt Fitzpatrick (2016–18), Alex Conley (2017–18), Sterling Jenkins (2019), Gabe Spurlock (2019), Jake Dixon (2020–21), Roman Macek (2020–21), Vincent Lumia (2020–21), Michael Dorundo (2020–21, 2023), Brian Beidatsch, Jr. (2024), Cameron McLaurin (2024), and Michael Fallah (2024). Brian Beidatsch, Jr. was named the 2024 NEC Offensive Lineman of the Year by Phil Steele College Football Magazine.
The 2024 Dukes ranked third in the FCS in sacks allowed per game (0.64) with five games allowing zero sacks, led the NEC and ranked eighth nationally in tackles for loss allowed, and protected a passing offense that averaged a league-best 289.5 yards per game in conference action. The O-line helped the team average 29.5 points per game, tied for the most in the NEC.
In 2023, Silianoff’s line ranked second in the NEC and 32nd nationally in sacks allowed (1.50 per game) and third in tackles for loss allowed (5.50 per game). The unit produced the conference’s second-highest scoring offense, eight 100+ yard rushing games (three above 200 yards), and the top passing offense in the NEC, including the second-most passing yards per completion in the FCS (17.33). The line kept Coastal Carolina and Sacred Heart to zero sacks each. In 2021, the Dukes led the NEC and ranked 16th nationally in fewest sacks allowed (1.20 per game).
Several of Silianoff’s players have earned professional opportunities, including Dixon (Pittsburgh Steelers), Buchholz (Chicago Bears), Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Fitzpatrick (Seattle Seahawks). Dixon earned AFCA All-American honors, while Huss earned All-America honors from the Associated Press, STATS FCS, and HERO Sports and became the first Duquesne player to participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl in 2018.
Silianoff came to Duquesne after four seasons as head coach at Baldwin High School, where he previously served as assistant head coach from 1990–2002. He has been a secondary mathematics teacher at Baldwin since 1990. He began his coaching career at Norwin High School (1984–89), including a stint as assistant head coach.
A 1978 graduate of Gateway High School, Silianoff earned first-team NAIA All-America honors at Westminster College in 1981 while teaming with Schmitt on an undefeated regular season offensive line. He completed his undergraduate degree in mathematics in 1982, was named to the All-Time Westminster Football Team in 1987, and was inducted into the Titan Sports Hall of Fame that same year.
Silianoff and his wife, Janice, have a son, Michael, a Duquesne student who played offensive and defensive line at West Mifflin High School.
