Mike Flanagan bounced around coaching position groups for a decade with the University of Rhode Island football team, but has settled in quickly this year as the Rams’ offensive coordinator.
Following the firing of former OC Patrick Murphy in December 2024, URI Head Coach Jim Fleming immediately promoted Flanagan to take over the offense.
“He’s worked through the ranks, coached a number of different positions and was ready to call plays,” Fleming said. “I think he has done an outstanding job so far.”
For Flanagan, the URI Fight Song rings true. Rhode Island-born and Rhode Island-bred, he was an all-state running back with Bishop Hendricken High School before beginning his coaching career with the Rams in 2014.
“My grandfather played football here back in the ’50s, so I’ve always had a lot of pride in this place,” Flanagan said. “I grew up coming to all the home games.”
His most recent role had been as the team’s offensive line coach in 2024, with both fifth-year Brock Bethea and fourth-year Tre Alexander receiving all-conference honors under his watch.
Flanagan’s new position was officially announced on March 25 following a historic season for Rhode Island, returning to the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs for the first time in 39 years and winning 11 games for the first time in program history.
“Coach Fleming had just kind of called me into his office this past winter and told me he wanted me to be able to take over the offense,” Flanagan said. “Knowing what we had, it was an exciting opportunity for me.”
One of Flanagan’s largest contributions has come from his time when he served as recruiting coordinator.
“He’s brought a tremendous recruiting presence, he’s brought a tremendous knowledge of the game and he’s grown in every position,” Fleming said.
In-state athletes have been a key focus of Flanagan’s recruitment and a key piece of Rhode Island’s recent success.
“There’s a ton of talent in the state, guys like [third-year] Moses Meus and [fourth-year] Andre DePina-Gray,” Flanagan said. “There’s been a big growth in pride within the state, of these players and these guys that want to stay home and play for the University of Rhode Island.”
When it comes to in-state talent, All-American fourth-year receiver Marquis Buchanan tops the list. One of many contributing to Flanagan’s offense, getting the ball to Buchanan in a variety of ways has been a focal point.
“It’s a lot easier when you have great players,” Flanagan said. “It makes your job a lot easier when you have those players that are not just good players, but smart and tough and competitive guys too.”
Across his 10 years with Rhode Island, Flanagan has coached the offensive line, running backs, tight ends and filled in with wide receivers.
“I just use it as an experience to be able to grow,” Flanagan said. “An important thing about being the coordinator [is that] I’ve been around so many of these players at each position, understanding the details and their strengths and how to help them succeed.”
Fleming has a history of filling roles from within; Troy Gilmer is the only person on the coaching staff to out-tenure Flanagan. Gilmer joined Fleming’s staff in his first season at the helm in 2014 and worked his way from a defensive assistant to the team’s special teams coordinator in 2020. Flanagan followed the next year and found himself in a coordinator role as well.
“This game’s all about loyalty,” Fleming said. “I think he’s completely loyal to this program, and I think he’s loyal to this state. I think he’s loyal to the university and extremely loyal to me.”
Through three games, Flanagan’s offense has found a way to stay undefeated. URI holds the sixth-highest scoring offense and the second-best passing game in the Coastal Athletic Association.
“Our players are resilient,” Flanagan said. “Whether it’s offense, defense or special teams, everybody’s playing together, and our goal is to win games. It’s a good start at 3-0, but we know each week’s a new challenge.”
Rhode Island returns home against Long Island University for its homecoming game on Saturday at 6 p.m. The nonconference matchup will be broadcast on FloSports and available on the radio on WRIU 90.3 FM and The Varsity Network.
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