Scott Farison was promoted to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in May of 2024 and will enter his seventh season on the Dukes sideline this fall.
Farison joined the Duquesne staff as a linebackers coach in 2018 after 16 seasons at Robert Morris, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Colonials for 11 seasons. In addition, Farison was the assistant head coach at RMU from 2014-17. In his second season at Duquesne, Farison added the title of co-defensive coordinator.
In his first year with the Dukes, the team captured the Northeast Conference (NEC) title, earned a berth to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs and won their first FCS Playoff game in program history. Farison coached All-NEC middle linebacker Brett Zanotto, who ranked fifth in the conference in tackles.
Under Farison's leadership, Duquesne has had eight all-conference linebackers since 2018 including a pair of first team selections in 2021 (Jahan Worth) and 2022 (Todd Hill). As co-defensive coordinator, Farison has coached a total of 22 All-NEC selections on the Bluff featuring 10 first-teamers.
The DU defense has consistently ranked among the top in the NEC and was 10th in the FCS in total defense in 2019 despite a number of injuries. The 2019 Dukes also led the NEC and ranked ninth in the FCS in pass defense, limiting opponents to 168.8 yards through the air per game. Duquesne also allowed the fewest first downs in the nation (163) in 2019.
In 13 seasons coaching the defensive side of the ball at Robert Morris, the Colonials finished among the top 25 nationally in total defense seven times. RMU also led the NEC in total defense four times in his tenure as defensive coordinator.
Farison coached 32 All-NEC performers as defensive coordinator with Robert Morris, including 17 First Team honorees.
He also coached four different NEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in James Noel (2004), Chad Wengert (2007), Alex DiMichele (2010), Nolan Nearhoof (2012) as well as a pair of NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year accolades in Marcelis Branch (2012) and Stanley Gee (2016).
Farison helped RMU to an NEC title and the league's inaugural FCS postseason berth in 2010 as the Colonials finished with an 8-3 overall mark and 7-1 ledger in league play. Farison's defense played a key role in the championship season, as the Colonials paced the NEC in total defense (312.6 ypg.), scoring defense (20.5 ppg.) and rushing defense (113.8 ypg.).
This came after the 2009 season which saw Robert Morris lead the conference in total defense, limiting opponents to just 276.3 yards per game.
Prior to his tenure as defensive coordinator, Farison served as the linebackers coach as well as the assistant special teams coach from 2004 to 2006.
During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, Farison worked as a graduate assistant coach with the Colonials, where he was assisted with the defense in 2002 and coached quarterbacks in 2003. While serving as a graduate assistant coach, he earned a Master of Science degree in sport management.
Farison graduated from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa. in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in marketing. He played three seasons for the Lakers after transferring from Arizona State.
A Marion, Ohio native, Farison graduated from Pleasant High School in 1996. He led the Spartans to the Ohio State Championship as a senior, throwing for 260 yards and a record four touchdowns in the title game.
Farison and his wife, Celeste, reside in Pleasant Hills with their sons, Nathan and Ben.
