Gannon University Men's Football

Erik Raeburn enters his sixth season as head coach of the Gannon football program in 2025. Raeburn was announced as the sixth head coach in program history on Nov. 19, 2019, after joining the program in 2019 as the team’s offensive coordinator.   Raeburn enters his 25th season as a head coach in 2025 and owns an impressive 165-87 record, including 22-25 at Gannon. In his five seasons he has rejuvenated the Gannon program with the Golden Knights a strong challenger in the PSAC West. In 2023 Gannon ended the year at 5-6 but came in third in the Western Division at 5-2. The 2023 campaign started with three tough losses. The Golden Knights either led or were tied in all three games with five minutes or less remaining and fell to Millersville and West Chester in the final two minutes. Raeburn would right the squad as the Golden Knights won five of its next six games with PSAC West action beginning. Gannon scored ten unanswered points in the fourth quarter against Clarion for a 27-20 win and followed with a 23-6 win at Seton Hill. The Golden Knights made it three consecutive wins over local rival Edinboro, a 23-12 triumph and later in October ruled the 814 for the second straight year with a 31-28 win at Mercyhurst. The victory also allowed Gannon to retain possession of the Niagara Cup. Gannon followed the Mercyhurst victory with a 16-15 win at Indiana (Pa.), the second straight year the Golden Knights defeated the Crimson Hawks. Senior placekicker Eric Scarpino made it two weeks in a row with a winning field goal in the final seconds, this one a school-record 51-yarder as time expired. Scarpino went on to be named a consensus All-American, including first team AFCA and Associated Press Division II All-American honors, just the fifth Golden Knight to receive the latter honor and the first since 2017. Ten Golden Knights were accorded All-PSAC West honors after a school-record 11 were selected in 2023.  Four players were named to the first team – DL Obi Ezeigbo, DB Chris Farnsworth, OL Jacob Petit and Scarpino -- while six players earned a spot on the second team. They included WR Ke'John Batiste, RB Donny Marcus, DL Joseph "Joe" Loiseau, OL Montana Nietert, OL Riley Noble, and DB Kam Snell. Gannon finished with a deceiving 3-7 record in 2024 as injuries sapped the Golden Knights of many key performers. The schedule-makers did the Golden Knights no favor, either, as they faced four teams that advanced to the NCAA Div. II Playoffs. The 2024 campaign began with four losses, three against those playoff teams – East Stroudsburg, Kutztown and California (Pa.). Gannon came back to win two of its next three games, celebrating Homecoming with a 23-17 win over Seton Hill and winning the annual showdown with local rival Edinboro 25-21 with a touchdown in the final minute. Gannon ended PSAC West action with a 3-4 record thanks to a 34-28 win at Clarion. Quarterback Jayden Whitaker was selected the PSAC West Freshman of the Year, marking the second time in three years one of Raeburn’s Golden Knights earned the honor. Four Golden Knights were accorded All-PSAC West honors. Charles Calhoun (defensive line) and Trey Baker (linebacker) were named to the first team while Donell “Tank” Mason (wide receiver) and Bryson Costa (punter) earned spots on the second team. Costa went on to be named the first team punter on the D2CCA Super Region 1 Team. The 2022 Golden Knights squad accomplished something done just once before – finish as co-champions of the PSAC Western Division. Gannon finished in a three-way tie with Indiana (Pa.) and Slippery Rock, all finishing at 6-1.   Gannon's 8-3 record left the Golden Knights one win shy of the school record of nine wins set in 2003 (9-1) and 2014 (9-2). The 1949 Gannon edition finished at 8-0. Gannon also finished in a tie for first place in the Western Division in 2014 as well.   It was a monumental season for the Golden Knights, beginning with an impressive 47-13 win over a strong Charleston (WV) team under the lights on a Thursday night. The victory was a sign of things to come – a high-flying offensive attack and a much-improved defensive unit. It was also the 150th of Raeburn’s career.   Gannon jumped out to a 5-1 start, the best getaway since 2003. The Golden Knights moved to 5-1 with a 35-17 win at local rival Edinboro before dropping their lone game in conference play at Slippery Rock.   That loss was followed by three straight victories, beginning with a 49-14 domination of crosstown rival Mercyhurst followed by wins over two of the elite programs in the PSAC. In a shootout Gannon upset 11th-ranked Indiana (Pa.) 43-36 for the first win over a ranked team since 2011. That was followed by a 25-13 victory at California (Pa.).   Gannon hosted Shippensburg in the final week of the regular season and entered the game ranked seventh in Super Region One. A win and the Golden Knights would likely receive a first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. Unfortunately the Raiders handed Gannon a 35-28 defeat in overtime.    Gannon had a school-record 11 players earn All-PSAC West honors with wide receiver Donell “Tank” Mason named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year. Quarterback Kory Curtis, defensive lineman Nick White and defensive back Chris Farnsworth were named Don Hansen NCAA Division II honorable mention All-Americans. Raeburn brings more than three decades of experience in college football, including 25 seasons as a head coach. After serving for a season as the offensive coordinator in 2019, Raeburn’s first year was marred by the COVID pandemic in 2020. Gannon would play four games in the spring of 2021, with the Golden Knights presenting Raeburn with his first win as their head coach against crosstown rival Mercyhurst. Gannon won 28-21 in overtime to finish at 1-3.   The 2021 Gannon edition ended the year with a 5-6 record, the most wins since the 2017 squad also posted a 5-6 record. The Golden Knights had a pair of players earn Don Hansen All-American honors – running back Melvin Blanks and defensive end Nick White. Four players were accorded All-PSAC West honors. Raeburn previously served as head coach at Coe, Wabash, and Savannah State. His most recent stop prior to Gannon was as the head coach at Division I Savannah State in Savannah, Georgia. He led the Tigers for three seasons from 2016 to 2018 with an 8-23 record. During that span, his student-athletes achieved the highest NCAA Academic Progress Rate in the program’s history.   Prior to his stop in Georgia, Raeburn was the head coach at Division III Wabash in Crawfordsville, Indiana, from 2008 to 2015. In those eight seasons, he led the Little Giants to a 78-13 overall record and won the North Coast Athletic Conference title three times (2008, 2011, 2015). He was named the conference Coach of the Year after finishing 12-1 and reaching the NCAA quarterfinals in 2011, one of five years his teams reached the NCAA playoffs. His teams never won fewer than eight games.   Four of his teams won 10-or-more games, including 12-1 finishes in 2011 and 2015. Both seasons saw the Little Giants win the NCAC championship and reach the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. Wabash was 10-2 in 2008 and 2014, winning the NCAC championship in 2008 and reaching the second round of the Division III playoffs both years.   In the 131-year history of the Wabash program, Raeburn’s winning percentage of .857 stands second, and his 78 wins place him third. The Little Giants earned 13 All-America honors during his time there, and placed 121 players on the all-conference team, including seven conference offensive or defensive players of the year.   Raeburn got his head coaching start at Division III Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he compiled a 57-26 record in eight seasons between 2000 and 2007. The Kohawks won three conference titles in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (now American Rivers Conference), and Raeburn was named IIAC and regional Coach of the Year in 2002.   Coe went to the NCAA Division III playoffs twice during Raeburn’s tenure, picking up the first playoff victory in program history in 2002. That was a 21-18 win over Wisc.-La Crosse, as Coe finished at 10-2, reached the second round of the Division III Tournament and won the IIAC championship. The Kohawks were 9-2 in 2005 and once again were IIAC champions. Raeburn produced 60 all-conference performers and six All-Americans in his time in Cedar Rapids.   He claimed his first career victory as a head coach in 2000, leading Coe to a 35-19 win at William Penn on September 2.   A native of northeast Ohio, Raeburn got his college coaching start at his alma mater, Division III national power Mount Union. In six years as an offensive line coach and offensive coordinator, he helped the Raiders to six Ohio Athletic Conference championships and three consecutive NCAA Division III national championships.   A 1994 graduate of Mount Union with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Raeburn played for the Raiders from 1989-92, a span that saw the team go 37-5-2, win a pair of OAC championships and reach the 1992 NCAA semifinals. Raeburn resides in Erie and has four children – son Cade (22) and daughters Elle (20), Reese (18), and Sienna. Updated July 2025  

Thomas Woodson joined the Gannon football staff just prior to the start of preseason camp in August 2025. A former standout quarterback at the University of Akron Woodson will serve as the receivers coach. Most recently Woodson was the running backs coach at Notre Dame (Ohio) in 2023. He helped the Falcons go 7-3 while featuring 1,000-yard rusher Idris Lawrence. Lawrence was a Harlon Hill nominee who earned team All-Mountain East Conference honors while rushing for 1,145 yards and 9 TDs. He led the MEC and ranked sixth in Division II in rushing yards per game (127.2). Woodson began his coaching career at Susquehanna where he worked with current Gannon defensive line coach Jake Kulig. He served as the quarterbacks coach in 2019. The River Hawks finished with a 10-1 record as Woodson mentored a quarterback who set school records for yards passing (2,375) and passing TDs (25). In 2021 and 2022 he was a graduate assistant on the staff at West Liberty, working with the skill position players, including return specialists. Among his players was All-American Shon Stephens. A record-setting quarterback and three-year starter at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa., Woodson went on to enjoy a stellar career at Akron from 2013-17. A three-year starter for the Zips he garnered multiple MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors and finished his career ranked No. 2 all-time in total passing yards (6,864) and passing touchdowns (53). As a senior in 2017 he completed 159-of-278 yards for 1,777 yards and 14 touchdowns while starting nine games. He started eight contests in 2016 completing 146-of-242 for 2,079 yards and 18 touchdowns, surpassing his mark for passing TDs (16) from 2015. In the season opener against VMI he went 23-of-32 for a career-high 407 yards and a career-best and school record six touchdowns en route to MAC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 5) honors. He threw for 2,202 yards and 16 TDs and was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week twice in 2015. Woodson graduated from Akron with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 2018 and completed work on his Master’s Degree in Education from West Liberty in 2023.  

ERIE, Pa. — Gannon University head football coach Erik Raeburn has announced the addition of Jeffrey Fitzgerald as an assistant football coach, where he will coach the defensive line. Fitzgerald brings experience at both the collegiate and high school levels, most recently serving as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Hermitage High School (Va.) since 2022. He previously spent between 2019-21 at Chowan University, including time as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, where he helped develop multiple All-Conference players. "I'm honored and excited to join Gannon University as the Defensive Line Coach", said Fitzgerald. "I would like to thank Meghan Morphy, Erik Raeburn, and the entire staff for this great opportunity. I look forward to developing our defensive line unit and contributing to the overall success of the program." He also worked as a graduate assistant at Troy University and began his coaching career at Hermitage High School. A former professional player, Fitzgerald spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and in the Arena Football League, earning Defensive Lineman of the Year honors with the Chicago Rush. He played college football at Kansas State and Virginia, earning All-Big 12 recognition at Kansas State. Fitzgerald holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Kansas State.

Gannon Athletics on Monday announced the hiring of Mike Hallett as the new Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line coach for the football program.    Hallett brings nearly three decades of collegiate coaching experience to Erie, including 10 seasons at the University of Toledo where he helped build one of the Mid-American Conference's most productive offenses.   "I have known Mike for more than 30 years, going back as far as being college teammates. I know he is an excellent person and coach", said Head Coach Erik Raeburn.  "His experience as a head coach and as a DI Offensive Coordinator will make a positive impact on our program." During his tenure with the Rockets, Hallett played a key role in multiple championship-caliber seasons, including MAC titles in 2022, 2017 and back-to-back MAC Championship Game appearances. Toledo consistently ranked among the league leaders in scoring and total offense under his guidance, highlighted by an 11-game winning streak in 2023 and an 8-5 campaign in 2024 that featured wins over Power Four opponents Mississippi State and Pittsburgh.   Hallett's offensive lines were a cornerstone of that success, routinely ranking among the best in the conference and nationally in sacks allowed while producing numerous All-MAC selections. His units helped develop standout skill players, including MAC Offensive Player of the Year Peny Boone and league MVP quarterback Dequan Finn.   "I'm excited to be joining Gannon University and coach Erik Raeburn", said Hallett. "Erik and I date back to our playing days at Mount Union and his production as a coach is amazing! You win with people, and everyone I have encountered at Gannon has been first class! My wife, Brooke and I are excited to dive into our lives in Erie."  Prior to Toledo, Hallett served as head coach at Heidelberg (2007–15), where he transformed the program into a contender, highlighted by a 9-2 season and the program's first NCAA Playoff appearance. He also held head coaching and offensive coordinator roles at Thomas More.   A former All-American offensive lineman at Mount Union, Hallett was the Division III Lineman of the Year in 1993 and a member of a national championship team. He was inducted into the Mount Union Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. 

ERIE, PA - Gannon Athletics on Monday announced the hiring of Rich Yahner as the new Defensive Coordinator for the football program.    Yahner brings more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to Erie, including stops at the FBS and FCS levels and a strong track record of developing impact defenders.   "Rich brings an impressive track record of sustained defensive success under his leadership, along with a genuine commitment to educating and developing young people both on and off the field", said Director of Athletics Meghan Morphy. "We are thrilled to welcome him to Gannon and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our program, as well as the continued growth and success of our student-athletes under his guidance." Most recently at VMI, Yahner helped engineer a significant turnaround, guiding the program from a 1-10 record to 5-6 while leading one of the top pass defenses in the Southern Conference. His units produced multiple all-conference selections, including Shamus Jones and Eric Rankin in 2024, while Rankin ranked among the national leaders in tackles.   "Rich Yahner has a proven track record of playing good defense everywhere he has been", said Head Coach Erik Raeburn. "He's a Pennsylvania guy, and will help to bring some of the best student-athletes to our area. I believe he will put our players in position to be successful and help them develop as young men." Prior to VMI, Yahner spent three seasons at Delaware, where he coached All-America linebacker Johnny Buchanan and helped lead one of the top defenses in the FCS. The Blue Hens ranked among the nation's leaders in total defense, passing defense, and scoring defense, and advanced to the FCS Semifinals during the 2020-21 season.   Yahner has also held coaching roles at Lafayette, San Diego Mesa, Seton Hill, Penn State, Juniata, Virginia, and Lehigh, gaining experience across all levels of collegiate football. Throughout his career, he has consistently developed all-conference performers and contributed to championship-caliber defenses.  "I want to thank Meghan Morphy and Erik Raeburn for this opportunity", said Yahner. "Gannon University has so much to offer the student-athlete from great facilities to a world-class educational curriculum to an ideal location for job and internship opportunities. The high level of competitiveness of Gannon football this decade is evidence that the program is about to break through and we will raise the bar defensively here. This is a tremendous place to develop players on and off the field and ultimately compete for championships. I am thrilled to be a part of the Gannon family and can't wait to get to work on the 2026 season."  This will be a homecoming (of sorts) for Yahner, specifically to the PSAC. His first coaching job was with Clarion University in 1999 as an Inside Linebackers Coach/Defensive Graduate Assistant.  Yahner earned his bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Services from Penn State in 1999 and completed his master's degree in Counselor Education from Penn State in 2006.

Gannon University head football coach Erik Raeburn announced the addition of Torrey Benning Jr. to the 2024 coaching staff in April 2024. Benning will serve as the safeties coach. “Torrey played defensive back in the PSAC and will be a great resource for the players in our secondary,” related Raeburn. “He also will bring a wealth of experience in strength and conditioning.” Benning will work hand-in-hand with recently-appointed defensive backs coach Jovon Johnson. The two were together last year at North East High School as Johnson was the head coach and Benning the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. The duo guided the GrapePickers to an 8-3 record and a berth in the PIAA District 10 Class 3A playoffs.   Benning previously served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Edinboro University, in 2019. He was the assistant defensive backs coach for a unit that ranked eighth in Division II in most takeaways. Defensive back Brandon Anderson earned All-American honors and was a first team All-PSAC West honoree while Aaron Rogers was a second team All-PSAC West selection. An Erie, Pa. native and a Strong Vincent High School graduate, Benning played as a defensive back at Edinboro in 2018. He later served as an athletic intern at Edinboro, working in strength and conditioning. He later served as a personal trainer at Lewis Fitness and Performance. Benning earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Performance from Edinboro in December 2019.    

Gannon University head football coach Erik Raeburn announced the addition of Caleb Ackley to his coaching staff in May 2024. Ackley enters his second season as the tight ends coach. “Caleb is a winner and was part of a national championship staff last fall,” Raeburn noted upon his hiring. “We are excited for him to use his championship experience to help our tight ends reach their full potential.” Ackley served on the coaching staff at Keiser University, an NAIA institution in West Palm Beach, Fla. prior to joining the Gannon staff. Two years ago he was the tight ends coach for a Seahawks team that went on to win the national championship in its sixth year of existence. Keiser finished 2023 with a 12-2 record after defeating top-ranked Northwestern College (Iowa) 31-21 in the NAIA National Championship. The Seahawks reached the title game with a 28-21 win over No. 11 The College of Idaho in the semifinals. Keiser’s lone two losses were to a pair of Division II schools – Mississippi College and Valdosta State. He coached De’andre Golden to first team NAIA All-American and all-conference honors. Before joining the Gannon staff Ackley was on the staff at Austin Peay University where he was serving as assistant offensive line coach/video coordinator working under Jeff Farris. He also previously worked with Andrew Dresner at the University of Maine where he was the assistant offensive line coach. Ackley received his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from the University of Maine in 2022. He completed work on his Master of Athletic Leadership from Clemson University in the spring of 2024.