FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Kalamazoo College head coach Jamie Zorbo has been named the 2025 MIAA Football Coach of the Year, earning the conference’s top coaching honor in his final season leading the Hornets. The recognition comes just weeks after Zorbo announced that he would be stepping down from his coaching role to fully focus on his position as Kalamazoo’s Director of Athletics, a role he has held since June of 2024.

A 2000 Kalamazoo graduate, Zorbo became the 25th head coach in program history and served in that role for 18 seasons. His leadership reshaped the trajectory of Hornet football, emphasizing growth, character, and a culture of sustained competitiveness.

During his tenure, Kalamazoo achieved 59 career wins, including a standout 7-3 campaign in 2018—the program’s highest win total since 1983. Under Zorbo’s guidance, the Hornets also produced 72 All-MIAA selections, developing student-athletes who excelled both on the field and in the classroom.

Zorbo’s commitment to building the program extended well beyond wins and accolades. Under his leadership, the roster grew to 107 student-athletes, the largest in Kalamazoo College football history—a reflection of the trust, energy, and belief he inspired among recruits and the broader Hornet community.

“Receiving this award in my final season means more to me than I can express," commented Zorbo. "Any recognition like this reflects the hard work of our amazing student-athletes and coaching staff, and I’m grateful to have spent my career surrounded by such loyal, hardworking, and dedicated people. Playing and then coaching in the MIAA has been both an honor and a privilege, and I’m thankful for the support and camaraderie of my coaching colleagues throughout the conference.”

Zorbo’s legacy at Kalamazoo is marked by commitment, resilience, and a deep connection to the institution he has served for more than two decades. His impact on Hornet football—and on generations of players—will continue to resonate long after his final season on the sidelines.