Michael Gallo returned to his alma mater to be defensive line coach in 2023. In his first year back, Gallo worked with two of the best Griffon defensive linemen of all time - All-American Dakari Streeter and four-time all-MIAA pick C.J. Ravenell, who's gone on to play in the NFL for three different teams.
Gallo helped Streeter win the MIAA Defender of the Year award, while also helping Streeter earn second team all-American recognition from the Associated Press and D2CCA. Streeter was also a first team all-Super Region Three pick that season. Ravenell, that same year, was a second team all-MIAA pick and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens the following May.
Gallo helped lead a defense that was No. 1 in the MIAA in sacks (29) and tackles for loss (99) in 2023. That same unit ranked second in the MIAA in TFLs (75) in 2024.
Gallo also spent two seasons working with Brandon Johnson, who was honorable mention all-MIAA in 2023 and third team all-MIAA in 2024. Grant Finley also shined under Gallo's tutelage, earning third team all-MIAA status in 2024 and second team all-MIAA honors in 2025. Gallo also coached nose tackle Deontae Young to third team all-MIAA honors in 2025.
A two-year letterwinner for the Griffons in 2016 and 17, Gallo had spent the previous two seasons coaching the defensive line at Missouri Southern before returning to MoWest.
Two of Gallo's mentees on the Lion defensive front earned all-MIAA selections this past season, as Solomona Fetuao and Jamie Tago were named to the third team. Fetuao finished the season with 27 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and three sacks with eight QB hurries and one forced fumble, while Tago notched 21 tackles with team highs in tackles for loss and sacks, with 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Fetuao and Nick Kruse were all-MIAA selections in Gallo's first year at MSSU.
Prior to his time in Joplin, Gallo spent two years at Southwestern Oklahoma State, where he helped coach inside linebackers for the Bulldogs.
Gallo started his coaching career in St. Joseph, serving as the freshman offensive coordinator and assistant defensive line coach at Central High School.
A native of Glendora, California, Gallo received his degree in health and physical education in 2018 with a degree in health and physical education, and completed his master's degree from Southwestern Oklahoma in 2021.
