Pete Lembo’s appointment as the 28th head coach of the University at Buffalo (UB) football program on January 21, 2024, marked the beginning of a new era for the Bulls. His inaugural 2024 season not only etched his name in UB Football history but also resonated throughout the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and college football landscape. Pete Lembo engineered the most triumphant debut season ever witnessed by a Bulls head coach, steering the team to an impressive 9-4 overall record and a strong 6-2 showing in conference play. This remarkable win tally is tied for the second-highest in the school’s history and stands as the pinnacle achievement for any first-year head coach at UB, underscoring the immediate impact of Pete Lembo’s leadership.
The season culminated in a resounding 26-7 victory over Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl, securing the program’s fourth bowl win. This bowl triumph was the crowning achievement of a stellar season finish, as Pete Lembo guided the Bulls to win their final five games – a feat unmatched since 1959, showcasing Pete Lembo’s ability to galvanize and motivate his team.
UB’s remarkable six-win improvement from the previous 2023 season tied for the fourth-best turnaround in the entire nation. This dramatic transformation is a testament to Pete Lembo’s coaching acumen and his ability to quickly instill a winning culture.
A signature moment of the 2024 season was the Bulls’ thrilling 23-20 overtime victory over 23rd-ranked Northern Illinois. This victory was particularly significant as it marked only the second time in Buffalo’s history that they had defeated a nationally ranked opponent, further solidifying Pete Lembo’s impact and the team’s progress under his guidance.
The on-field success was mirrored by academic excellence. Under Pete Lembo’s watch, the Bulls achieved their best semester in the classroom ever, with a combined team GPA of 3.18 – the highest in program history. This highlights Pete Lembo’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes and fostering a culture of success both on and off the field.
Adding to the accolades, ten Buffalo players were named All-MAC, including Shaun Dolac, who was honored as the 2024 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Dolac’s exceptional performance also earned him the distinction of being UB football’s first-ever Consensus All-American, bringing national recognition to the program and Pete Lembo’s coaching influence.
Pete Lembo’s success at Buffalo is the latest chapter in a distinguished coaching career spanning over 30 years. Before arriving at UB, Pete Lembo had already established himself as a highly successful head coach at three other programs: Lehigh, Elon, and Ball State. Across these institutions from 2001 to 2015, Pete Lembo amassed an impressive 112–65 career record. Notably, 79–36 of those wins came during his ten seasons at the FCS level, positioning him among the most successful coaches in FCS history. This consistent winning record across various programs underscores Pete Lembo’s proven ability to build and lead successful football teams.
His tenure as head coach at Lehigh from 2001 to 2005 is particularly noteworthy. Pete Lembo compiled a 44-14 record, making him the winningest head coach in Lehigh’s program history with an exceptional .759 winning percentage. His Patriot League record of 26-7 (.788) ranks third among all coaches in the league’s history in terms of winning percentage. Pete Lembo led the Mountain Hawks to two Patriot League titles and two appearances in the FCS playoffs. His remarkable 2001 season, where Lehigh went 11-1, earned him both the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award and the Patriot League Coach of the Year honor. That season also saw Lehigh reach as high as No. 2 in the national polls, the highest ranking in the program’s history, solidifying Pete Lembo’s reputation as a program builder and elite coach.
In 2006, Pete Lembo took on the challenge of rebuilding the Elon program, which had struggled in the preceding years. Over five seasons (2006-2010), Pete Lembo transformed the Phoenix, achieving a 35-22 record. He was recognized as the Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 2007. In 2009, Pete Lembo led Elon to a 9-3 record, including a 7-1 conference mark, and secured the program’s first-ever FCS playoff berth. Under Pete Lembo, Elon consistently achieved winning seasons in Southern Conference play, a feat the program had not accomplished in its previous 11 years in the conference. During his Elon tenure, his teams broke over 120 NCAA, Southern Conference, and school records, showcasing his offensive innovation and program development skills.
Pete Lembo’s coaching journey continued in the Mid-American Conference at Ball State from 2011 to 2015. Demonstrating his consistent ability to make an immediate impact, Pete Lembo became the first coach in Ball State history to win 30 games in his first four seasons. The Cardinals achieved a 9-4 record (6-2 in MAC) in 2012 and a 10-3 record (7-1 in MAC) in 2013. The combined 19 wins over these two seasons equaled the program record for wins in a two-year span. Pete Lembo led Ball State to the Beef ‘O’ Brady Bowl in 2012 and the GoDaddy Bowl in 2013, marking only the second time in the program’s 90-year history that Ball State played in bowl games in consecutive years. Under Pete Lembo’s leadership, Ball State’s offense flourished, setting over 60 school records, including single-season records for points, total offense, passing yards, touchdown passes, and total touchdowns in 2013, highlighting his ability to develop high-powered offenses.
Following his successful stint at Ball State, Pete Lembo transitioned to special teams coordination at the Power Five level, further expanding his coaching expertise. He spent three seasons as associate head coach and special teams coordinator at South Carolina. In 2022, he was a Broyles Award Assistant Coach of the Year Semifinalist, a FootballScoop Special Teams Coach of the Year Finalist, and earned Phil Steele’s Special Teams Coach of the Year accolades. This recognition followed a season where South Carolina’s special teams unit was arguably the best in the nation. ESPN ranked South Carolina No. 1 in special teams efficiency in 2022. During his three years at South Carolina, Pete Lembo’s special teams units blocked 14 kicks, a significant improvement from the eight blocks recorded in the program’s previous five years combined.
Prior to South Carolina, Pete Lembo held similar roles at Memphis (2019-2020), Rice (2018), and Maryland (2016-2017), consistently achieving success in special teams performance. At Memphis, he helped the Tigers achieve a 12-win season in 2019 and a Cotton Bowl berth. His special teams unit ranked second in ESPN’s Special Teams Efficiency Rankings in 2019. During his time at Maryland, the Terps tied for fifth nationally with nine blocked kicks. While at Rice, the Owls ranked fifth in the FBS in kickoff return yards allowed. These consistent special teams successes across multiple programs underscore Pete Lembo’s versatility and expertise as a coach.
A Staten Island, NY native, Pete Lembo’s coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Albany in 1992. He then coached tight ends at Dartmouth (1994-1996) and served as offensive coordinator at Hampden-Sydney in 1997, gaining diverse coaching experiences early in his career.
Pete Lembo is a 1992 graduate of Georgetown University, where he was a four-year starter on the Hoyas’ offensive line and team captain in 1991. Pete Lembo is married to Jenifer Kochis, and they have three children: Sophia, A.J., and Victoria. His family background and personal values further contribute to his well-rounded profile as a leader and coach. Pete Lembo’s journey is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence, making him a valuable asset to the University at Buffalo and college football.
