One of the newest members of the Duquesne University football coaching staff may face conflicting emotions when the Dukes play Saint Francis (Pa.) in a Northeast Conference game in mid-November.

"That's when there could be the implications [for conference honors]," said Mike Craig, who will coach the Dukes linebackers after seven years of playing and coaching for the Red Flash. "It's going to be real strange to go up against my alma mater."

Craig graduated with a degree in accounting from Saint Francis and spent the past three seasons on the Red Flash staff, two of them as a full-time coach. He was intrigued about working with his college head coach, Dave Opfar, who also recently joined Dukes coach Jerry Schmitt's staff as defensive coordinator.

Craig's new duties began Sunday when the Dukes kicked off fall drills on The Bluff.

Schmitt, while coaching at Westminster College, recruited Craig, who was finishing up a standout career at West Allegheny that culminated in the 2001 Class AAA WPIAL and PIAA championships.

"This gave me a chance to come back home," Craig said. "[Pittsburgh] is a city where football is king."

He also reunites with Opfar. Craig was one of his first recruits at Saint Francis and a three-year captain with the Red Flash.

"We share some of the same philosophies on defense," he said of Opfar. "Coach Schmitt is a great guy, and I am excited with what I think we'll be able to do. This team is solid from top to bottom. Last year [Duquesne] had a tough year with injuries, but if we stay healthy, we can compete for a conference championship."

Craig hopes to center his linebacking corps around Nathan Totino, a 5-foot-10, 210-pound senior outside linebacker from Seton-LaSalle.

"He's a smart football player who's been tough every year he's been here," he said.

In nine games last season, Totino produced a team-leading 73 tackles: 34 solo and 39 assisted.

While his sideline philosophy has evolved with Opfar, Craig's coaching style developed by working with Indians coach Bob Palko and his son, Tyler, a standout quarterback who went on to play at the University of Pittsburgh before joining the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League.

"Coach Palko was able to get the most out of his kids," Craig recalled. "He had the mentality to do what's best for the kids, and I coach the same way. I'm coaching at a different level here, but I'm coaching the same way Coach Palko does, and his players have always respected him."

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