University of New England Football

Mike Lichten was tabbed as the head football coach of UNE's new program early in 2016, and developed the team through an eight-game pre-varsity schedule with 80 student-athletes in the fall of 2017. The Nor'easters improved their overall record each season from 2018 through 2024, going from 2-7 to 6-4. The program's first-ever win was on October 6 with a last-second field goal to defeat conference foe Curry College, 44-42. UNE doubled its win total in year two of action (2019), posting 4-6. There was no competition in 2020, and the Nor'easters recorded a 4-5 mark 2021. In 2022, with a roster of 120 student-athletes, UNE turned in a 5-5 overall record and was 3-3 in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action, which was good for a tie for third place in the standings. Lichten came to UNE following five seasons as head coach at Becker College [NCAA III], where he led the Hawks to a program-record seven wins (7-3) in 2015 and earned the distinction of Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Coach of the Year for his efforts. He was the primary coordinator on all three sides of the ball during those years, guiding special teams for the last three, the offense in 2012, and the defense in 2011, coaching 49 all-conference selections along the way. Before taking charge, he served as assistant coach and defensive coordinator in 2010. Prior to Becker, Lichten spent two campaigns at Northeastern University [NCAA I-FCS], working as the Wide Receivers Coach (2009) and the Secondary C

Tim Viall was elevated to the position of Offensive Coordinator of the UNE football program in 2020 following one season working primarily with the Nor'easter quarterbacks. He also filled in as the OC for the final six games of 2019. As a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), he has also led training efforts for football and other teams within the department. Viall came to Biddeford after three seasons (2016-18) at Bowdoin College [NCAA III], where he served as offensive coordinator and worked more in-depth with quarterbacks and tight ends. Prior to that, he spent five years (2011-15) in the same post at Massachusetts Institute of Technology [NCAA III], and helped guide the squad to the program's first conference championship and NCAA tournament victory. The Engineers improved from two wins to 10 victories during his time. Right out of college (2010), he was a coach and defensive coordinator at Middleboro High School (Mass.). Viall played four seasons (2006-09) of football at Endicott College [NCAA III], where he was a three-year starting tight end and an all-conference pick as a junior, and both team captain along with Offensive MVP as a senior. He graduated from Endicott in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. The Sandwich, Mass. native lives in Portland with his wife, Caroline, and their three young children. Viall earned a master's in applied nutrition from UNE in 2023.