Toledo Adds Devin Figaro to Football Coaching Staff

TOLEDO, Ohio - Toledo Head Coach Mike Jacobs announced today the hiring of Devin Figaro as the Rockets' new wide receivers coach.

An 11-year coaching veteran, Figaro has worked under Jacobs at three schools, most recently at Mercer as the wide receivers coach from 2024-25. He also was an assistant on Jacobs' staffs at Lenior-Rhyne (2020-23) and Notre Dame College in Ohio (2017-18).

"Devin Figaro is someone I know extremely well and have trusted throughout my career," Jacobs said. "He brings tremendous energy, proven player development, and a deep understanding of how we want to play on offense. His wide receiver units have produced at an elite level everywhere he's been, and he connects exceptionally well with student-athletes. Devin's experience, attention to detail, and ability to recruit and develop talent will have an immediate impact on our program, and we are excited to welcome him and his family to Toledo."

Figaro's wide receivers played a key role in the Bears' 9-3 record in 2025 as Mercer amassed an average of 318 passing yards per game, ranking second in the Southern Conference. Sophomore Adjatay Dabbs earned first-team All-SoCon honors, tallying 45 receptions for 856 yards and eight touchdowns. Junior Brayden Smith added 60 receptions for 712 yards and seven scores.

Mercer's wide receivers were also key in 2024 as the Bears racked up nearly 210 yards per game through the air, including a pair of games in which they amassed 350 or more passing yards. MU's wide receivers corps alone amassed more than 2,200 receiving yards, while also averaging 13.5 yards per reception. Senior Kelin Parsons, an all-conference selection by Phil Steele, ranked among the FCS' best pass catchers with 646 receiving yards, while four other Bears totaled 339 or more yards through the air.

The wide receiver corps at Lenoir-Rhyne thrived under Figaro's leadership. From 2020-23, the Bears averaged more than 237 receiving yards per game to key one of the nation's most explosive offenses, including nearly 12.5 yards per completion. Lenoir-Rhyne showcased NCAA Division II's 11th-best passing offense in just his first season in Hickory, N.C., while three of his pass catchers ranked among the nation's top 50 in receiving yards.

As co-special teams coordinator for the Bears, Figaro assembled a dangerous kickoff return unit that routinely ranked among the nation's best. Lenoir-Rhyne was listed among NCAA Division II's top-20 kickoff return squads through his first three seasons on the sidelines, and led the country with a 36.8-yard return average in 2020. L-R averaged 23 yards per kickoff return or better during both the 2021 and 2022 campaigns as well.

Figaro mentored six all-conference players in western North Carolina, including wide receiver Dareke Young who was taken in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. The list of postseason honorees also included DeAree Rogers who claimed a spot on the all-region squad to culminate his final season at L-R. Figaro's recruiting radar was impeccable in Hickory as well, as he raked in a pair of eventual Harlon Hill Award (D2 Heisman) finalists in All-American running backs Dwayne McGee and Jaleel McLaughlin.

Prior to trekking to the Southeast, Figaro spent the 2019 campaign as the wide receivers coach at Valparaiso. That stint followed a two-year stay (2017-18) as the wide receivers coach at Notre Dame under Jacobs. While in South Euclid, Figaro mentored junior Marvelle Ross who finished the 2018 season ranked 10th among NCAA Division II leaders with 1,203 receiving yards.

Figaro transitioned into coaching in 2016 as a graduate assistant coach at San Diego. The Toreros made NCAA history during his lone season in Southern California when they became the first non-scholarship program to register a win in the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

Figaro played his first two collegiate seasons (2009-10) in the wide receiver rotation at Tulane, before transferring to nearby Louisiana-Lafayette in time for the 2011 campaign. The Lafayette, La., native helped lead the Ragin' Cajuns to three R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl championships, while also captaining his wide receiver unit as a senior in 2013.

Figaro earned his bachelor's degree in general studies from Louisiana-Lafayette in 2014. He and his wife, Brittany, have one son, Noah.

DEVIN FIGARO'S COACHING CAREER
2026: Toledo – Wide Receivers Coach
2024-25: Mercer – Wide Receivers Coach
2020-23: Lenoir-Rhyne - Wide Receivers Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
2019: Valparaiso - Wide Receivers Coach
2017-18: Notre Dame (Ohio) - Wide Receivers Coach
2015-16: San Diego – Graduate Assistant (Wide Receivers)

Players Mentioned

Adjatay Dabbs