Mount St. Joseph University Men's Football

Billy Hug begins his third season with the Mounts coaching staff in 2025, marking his second year as the Running Backs Coach after previously serving as the Assistant Wide Receivers Coach. In his first season with the running backs, Hug led the unit to an impressive 4.7 yards per carry in 2024. Under his guidance, Senior RB Jackson Gifford earned 2nd Team All-HCAC honors, rushing for 906 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Additionally, three other backs rushed for over 200 yards, helping propel the Lions to the #2 ranking in the HCAC with 1,823 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. The Mounts running game averaged 165.7 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Lions boasted the nations #10 passing offense and #11 total offense, totaling 57 touchdowns and averaging 476.4 yards per game. The Mount also captured their third consecutive conference title and earned a spot in the NCAA playoffs for the third straight year. In his inaugural season with The Mount in 2023, Hug was instrumental in the teams success, helping the receiving corps secure their second consecutive conference championship and playoff appearance. That year, the teams offense ranked third in the nation, averaging 55.4 points and 552.5 yards per game. Under Hugs mentorship, two wide receivers earned All-Conference honors, leading the HCAC in receiving touchdowns (13) and ranking second and third in receiving yards. The Lions' receiving corps also contributed significantly to the teams national ranking in passing touchdowns. Prior to joining Mount Saint Joseph, Hug served as the Wide Receivers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Cincinnati Country Day School. In 2022, he coached a receiving unit that racked up 1,177 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping the team secure top-five rankings in Passing Offense, Receiving Offense, and Total Offense within the Miami Valley Conference. Hug also played a key role in the success of the special teams, where his units excelled in returning, punting, and kicking. His leadership contributed to a 10-2 record, an MVC Grey Champions title, and the schools first playoff victory in over two decades. Hugs impact was further reflected in the success of three All-Conference wide receivers and a first-team All-City kicker.

Darold Hughes enters his third season at The Mount, stepping into the role of Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach in 2024 following his tenure as Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Prior to joining the Lions, Hughes spent seven seasons at Wabash College, where he coached Running Backs from 2014 to 2018 and Wide Receivers from 2018 to 2021. Since arriving at The Mount, Hughes has earned acclaim for his ability to develop top-tier talent, mentoring three First Team All-Conference receivers and two Second Team selections. In the 2022 season, Hughes orchestrated a wide receivers unit that amassed 2,198 yards and 24 touchdowns. The group's performance surged in 2023, tallying an impressive 3,574 yards and 54 touchdowns, averaging 324.9 yards per game. Their achievements contributed significantly to The Mount's top ranking in Division 3 for Passing Touchdowns. During his tenure at Wabash, Hughes played a pivotal role in the team's success, including three Division III playoff appearances and an Elite 8 run in 2015. As Running Backs Coach, he oversaw remarkable ground game achievements, including seasons with 2,766 and 3,383 rushing yards, and mentored the program's all-time leading rusher. His coaching prowess at Wabash led to multiple athletes earning North Coast Athletic Conference First Team honors (2014, 2015, 2017) and Second Team recognition (2015, 2016). Additionally, he coached an NCAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2015, who later earned D3Football.com All-American honors. Continuing his success with Wide Receivers, Hughes coached a First Team NCAC member, a Second Team NCAC member, and a D3Football.com Third Team All-American. Hughes launched his coaching career at Becker College and Glenville State College, showcasing his expertise in developing running backs and wide receivers. As a former quarterback at Florida International University and Glenville State, Hughes brings extensive playing experience, highlighted by three-time captaincy and ranking sixth in all-time passing touchdowns at Glenville State. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Glenville State. Beyond coaching, Hughes is committed to community service, having served as a mentor, counselor, and supporter of the Special Olympics. He resides in Harrison, OH.

Lane Little enters his sixth season with The Mount, assuming his inaugural role as both wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. Previously, he distinguished himself as the Running Backs coach from 2022 to 2023 and the Tight Ends Coach from 2020 to 2021. Since joining The Mount, Coach Little has successfully mentored a cadre of outstanding athletes, including HCAC Athlete of the Year Cornell Beachem, recognized as an AFCA All-American, 1 All-Region Selection, 1 First Team All-Conference selection, and 3 Second Team All-Conference selections. In the 2022 season, Coach Little orchestrated a formidable running back corps that amassed over 1,900 yards and 15 touchdowns, propelling them to the top-ranked rushing attack in the HCAC. The group also contributed over 500 receiving yards, with standout Cornell Beachem Jr. leading the nation in All-purpose Yards. Continuing their dominance in 2023, The Mount's rushing offense surged, accumulating 2,018 yards and 17 touchdowns. Three MSJ Running Backs claimed the top three spots in Yards Per Carry in the Heartland Conference, reinforcing The Mount's position as the premier rushing offense in the HCAC for the second consecutive year (227.5 Yards Per Game). Senior Running Back Mariano McKenzie excelled, averaging 7.1 Yards Per Carry and achieving a top 10 national ranking. Little earned his degree in Sport Administration from The University of Cincinnati in 2019 and completed his Master's degree from UC in 2021.