Steve Foley joined the University of the Incarnate Word football program as the defensive ends coach in the spring of 2018.
In 2019, Foley’s second season with the Cardinals, UIW won five games. The Cardinals forced 33 turnovers through its 12 games, which led the nation even through the first round of the FCS Playoffs and ultimately ranked third nationally. UIW had a 1.33 turnover margin, also a nation best.
The Cardinals snagged 17 interceptions, a conference-high mark that also ranked seventh nationally. Their 16 fumbles recovered ranked third. UIW had a takeaway in 23 consecutive games between 2017 and 2019. UIW’s defense scored four touchdowns, which led the SLC and ranked fifth in the nation.
As a team, UIW racked up 999 tackles, with 517 unassisted and 482 assisted. Both the total tackle and the unassisted tackle marks are new program records.
Foley helped coach one of the best turnarounds in the FCS in 2018 as the Cardinals went from a 1-10 overall record in 2017 to a 6-4 regular season mark, a Southland Conference Championship, and an FCS Playoff berth.
Following the conclusion of UIW’s regular season (week 11), the Cardinals led the FCS with 29 turnovers gained. UIW recorded at least one turnover in every game played, including the playoffs, for the first time in program history. The turnover streak sits at 12 consecutive games following the 2018 season.
Of these 29 turnovers, 18 were interceptions. This broke the previous program record of 16 picks, set in 2011. Defensive lineman Darrius Montgomery recorded two of those interceptions, returning one for a 52-yard touchdown.
The defensive highlight of the season came against Sam Houston State on Nov. 1, when UIW forced a program-record seven turnovers. These seven turnovers also led the SLC in 2018. The Cardinals also recorded four interceptions at Central Arkansas (Nov. 10), setting the program record for picks in a single game.
Prior to UIW, Foley spent one season as the volunteer assistant coach at the University of Louisiana Monroe.
Before ULM, Foley played in the NFL for seven seasons. While in the NFL, he split time between the Cincinnati Bengals (1998-2001), the Houston Texans (2003) and the San Diego Chargers (2004-05).
Foley played collegiately at ULM, where he still holds the single-season records for sacks (18.5) and tackles for loss (26.5). His 18.5 sacks in 1997 also led the nation. After graduation, the Bengals drafted Foley in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft.
