By Ty Scheiner
Pete Lembo has been quietly making waves in his first season as head coach of the Buffalo Bulls , leading them to an impressive 4-2 record halfway through the season in the MAC . What makes this even more remarkable is that many didn’t expect this level of success so early, given that he took over a team that went 3-9 last year and lost a lot of talent to the transfer portal. However, for those familiar with Lembo’s coaching history, his ability to turn teams into competitive forces comes as no surprise.
Lembo’s Proven Track Record
Lembo is known as one of the top special teams coaches in the country. He has had multiple head coaching stints, including at Lehigh, Elon, and Ball State. His most recent success came at Ball State (2011-2015), where he took a struggling program and made it one of the most competitive in the MAC. Under his leadership, Ball State posted several winning seasons, including a 10-3 record in 2013, leading to multiple bowl games and consistent contention within the conference. During Lembo’s tenure, the Cardinals set over 60 records , including 2013 marks for points (501), total offense (6,199 yards), and touchdowns (64).
At Lehigh (2001-2005), Lembo went 44-14, becoming the winningest coach in program history, leading the Mountain Hawks to two Patriot League titles and two FCS playoff appearances. He was named the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year and the Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2001 .
At Elon (2006-2010), Lembo was 35-22, which marked a massive improvement for a program that had gone 14-42 in the previous five seasons. He was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 2007, and in 2009, he led Elon to a 9-3 record, including a 7-1 mark in conference play. That season, the Phoenix qualified for the FCS playoffs for the first time in program history. His teams set over 120 NCAA, Southern Conference, and school records.
Known as one of the best special teams minds in the game , Lembo has had successful stints as a special teams coordinator at Maryland (2016-2017) and Rice (2018), as well as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator at Memphis (2019-2020) and South Carolina (2021-2023). While at South Carolina, he was named a Broyles Award Assistant Coach of the Year Semifinalist, a FootballScoop Special Teams Coach of the Year Finalist, and earned Phil Steele’s Special Teams Coach of the Year accolades in 2022.
What sets Lembo apart is his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to get the most out of his players. His teams are known for being disciplined, fundamentally sound, and well-prepared—traits already evident in Buffalo’s performance this season.
Exceeding Expectations at Buffalo
When Lembo was hired at Buffalo, expectations were modest. After all, this was a team that had experienced ups and downs in recent seasons and hadn’t been considered a serious contender in the MAC since the Lance Leipold era. The Bulls were viewed as a team in transition, with a new coaching staff, a new system, and significant roster turnover due to the portal. Most assumed this would be a rebuilding year, with low expectations.
Yet halfway through the season, the Bulls sit at 4-2, already surpassing most preseason predictions. Not only are they winning games, but they’re also competing at a higher level than expected within the MAC. With wins over Northern Illinois (who upset Notre Dame earlier this season and is considered a conference contender) and a convincing victory over Toledo, another MAC frontrunner, the Bulls are turning heads.
Lembo has instilled a new sense of confidence in his players, and the results are clear on the field. Buffalo is tied for 36th in the nation with a +3 turnover margin and tied for 41st with only 34 penalties.
A Quick Turnaround
One of the most impressive aspects of Lembo’s early success at Buffalo is how quickly he’s managed to get the team to buy into his system. In just a few months, he’s turned a middling program into a legitimate contender in the MAC. His success can be attributed to his ability to build strong relationships with players and staff, ensuring everyone is on the same page from day one.
The word ‘culture’ gets thrown around a lot, but from day one, Lembo knew the kind of program he wanted to build—one focused on consistency and being fundamentally sound, traits shared by all great programs. Lembo emphasized these keys earlier this summer when discussing the rebuild .
"Consistency. I'm all about consistency and believe heavily in structure," said Lembo. "A lot of people think of special teams as just kickoffs or punt returns, blocking a punt. Yes, those are important, but really, it starts with the fundamentals of the game."
A Competitive MAC Season
The MAC is known for its competitive nature, and this season has been no different. Buffalo has inserted itself into the conversation as a team that can compete with anyone on a given Saturday.
Lembo has brought a renewed energy to the program, and his players have responded. They play with a chip on their shoulder, and each win builds more confidence. Now, the Bulls are starting to believe they can make a serious run in the MAC.
What’s even more impressive is that Lembo has done this with a roster he didn’t build. He’s taken the players he inherited and molded them into a team that plays to its strengths. As the season progresses, and with more time to recruit his own players, the future looks even brighter for Buffalo.
He’s shown himself to be a players' coach, with team leaders praising his character and emphasis on building relationships.
Looking Ahead
With six games remaining and what some consider the hardest part of their schedule behind them, the Bulls are in a prime position to make a serious run in the MAC.
Lembo’s first season at Buffalo has already been a success, regardless of how the rest of the year plays out. He’s laid the foundation for future success, and Bulls fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come. In a conference known for parity and unpredictability, Buffalo is quickly emerging as a team to watch, and Pete Lembo is proving once again that he’s one of the best program builders in college football.
As the Bulls continue their march through the MAC, one thing is clear: Pete Lembo is ahead of schedule, and the Buffalo Bulls need to be taken seriously.
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