Buffalo State Sports Information Department

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo State director of athletics Jerry Boyes announced the promotion of Francesco Cardillo to interim head men's soccer coach for the 2018 season, filling the void left by the departure of Mark Howlett who accepted the same position at SUNY Geneseo.

Cardillo has spent the past three seasons as a member the Bengals coaching staff, including the past two years as the lead assistant on the men's staff after one year as the top assistant on the women's staff.  Cardillo was part of the staff that earned United Soccer Coaches East Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 201 after pacing the Bengals to a 14-3-3 overall record, just one win shy of matching a school record for wins in a season. Buffalo State was ranked as high as 13th in the nation this season. Buffalo State also qualified for the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 1984.  In two seasons with the Bengals staff, his teams combined to post a record of 25-10-4 and in his one season with the women's team, the Bengals were 15-4-1.

Cardillo was also a key part of the men's program's turnaround during his playing days.  A tough midfielder, he transferred from SUNY Canton in 2013 and was named All-SUNYAC in both seasons at Buffalo State, leading the Bengals to 15 wins in two years, a marked improvement for a team that won just one game in 2012.

A native of Oakville, Ont., the dual citizen completed his bachelor's degree from Buffalo State in business administration.