Lackawanna College Men's Football

Mark Ross was named as the head football coach at Lackawanna College in December 2025, effective ahead of the spring 2026 semester. The Fall 2026 campaign will be his first as head coach with the Falcons.   Ross has coaching experience dating back 30 years, when he began his coaching career as the defensive ends coach at East Stroudsburg. He spent four seasons with the Warriors before leaving to join the staff at Ithaca College, where he spent eleven years. He eventually worked his way up to becoming the defensive coordinator for the Bombers, running the defense for four seasons, as well as heading the Strength & Conditioning program for the football team.   Ross left Ithaca in 2011 to become the head football coach at Misericordia University, which competes in the Middle Atlantic Conference in NCAA Division III. Ross was the first-ever head coach for the Cougars, and he won a combined 14 games in his final two seasons in 2018 and 2019, which included the first-ever bowl appearances for Misericordia. His 2018 squad went 8-3 and made a postseason bowl for the first time in school history. That performance won Ross MAC Coach of the Year. In his time at Misericordia, Ross emphasized the academic component to his student-athletes, and the Cougars excelled. While Ross was in charge, no other team in the Middle Atlantic Conference had more Academic Honor Roll honorees than the Cougars.   He resigned from Misericordia after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 to become the defensive coordinator at Bloomsburg University, where he spent three seasons coaching the defense. The Huskies were a third-ranked defense in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference during the 2023 campaign in points allowed, and his team earned a top-20 ranking in turnover margin in 2021. Bloomsburg had 28 takeaways in 2021, first in the PSAC and ninth across NCAA Division II.   After his time at Bloomsburg, Ross became the Director of Football Operations at Cornell University for the 2024 season. He helped manage the operations of the football team, including coordinating travel, meals, compliance, and recruiting, while also serving as the liaison to the alumni office and donors to the football program. Cornell went 4-6 in his one season with the Big Red, which included an upset over then-#24 Dartmouth College at home.   Mark Ross is a Penn State graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education in 1991, and he also holds a Master’s degree in Sport Management from East Stroudsburg.

Duda has been a member of the football staff at Lackawanna College since the introduction of the sport in 1993. After one season as defensive coordinator, Duda was promoted to head coach and has since compiled an impressive record of 149-75 while elevating the program to a position of national prominence. In his tenure at the college, Coach Duda has produced over 330 Division I Scholarship Athletes and has had over 15 players sign with NFL teams. Mark has won North East Football Conference Coach of the Year honors on three different occasions and is currently 2nd among active coaches in the NJCAA in wins and 16th all-time. Under his guidance, Lackawanna College has been a part of three undefeated seasons, and appeared in nine bowl games, winning two of them. The Falcons defeated Glendale Community College in the Valley of the Sun Bowl in 2006, and also claimed a 20 point victory in the Graphic Edge Bowl in 2010 over the Ellsworth Community College Panthers. Coach Duda has also led Lackawanna to six Northeast Football Conference championships. One of the many beneficiaries of Coach Duda's vast knowledge is Bryant McKinnie, a former Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens, who was selected in the first round (No. 7) of the 2002 National Football League Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. McKinnie played at Lackawanna in 1997 and 1998 and went on to The University of Miami ( Florida) where he was the recipient of the prestigious Outland Trophy, a consensus All-American offensive lineman, and the only offensive linemen to finish in the Top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting (7th). Before his coaching career began, Coach Duda was a star defensive lineman within the collegiate and professional ranks. Coach played his college ball at the University of Maryland where he still holds the schools record for sacks in a season with 13. After starting for 4 years for the Terrapins, Coach Duda was selected in the in the fourth round, 96th pick overall, in the 1983 draft by St. Louis Cardinals. Coach went on to play in 55 games, starting 34 of them, registering 9.5 sacks from his debut in 1983 to his retirement in 1987. Mark was inducted into the University of Maryland Wall of Fame in 1994 and a year later was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sport Hall of Fame. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Education by East Stroudsburg University in 1991. In 2005 he was awarded a Master of Arts in Professional Studies from Thomas Edison College. Mark Duda is currently the Head Football Coach for the Lackawanna Falcons. Mark Duda has been a member of the football staff at Lackawanna College since the introduction of the sport in 1993. After one season as defensive coordinator, Duda was promoted to head coach and has since compiled an impressive record of 149-75 while elevating the program to a position of national prominence. In his tenure at the college, Coach Duda has produced over 330 Division I Scholarship Athletes and has had over 15 players sign with NFL teams. Mark has won North East Football Conference Coach of the Year honors on three different occasions and is currently 2nd among active coaches in the NJCAA in wins and 16th all-time. Under his guidance, Lackawanna College has been a part of three undefeated seasons, and appeared in nine bowl games, winning two of them. The Falcons defeated Glendale Community College in the Valley of the Sun Bowl in 2006, and also claimed a 20 point victory in the Graphic Edge Bowl in 2010 over the Ellsworth Community College Panthers. Coach Duda has also led Lackawanna to six Northeast Football Conference championships. One of the many beneficiaries of Coach Duda's vast knowledge is Bryant McKinnie, a former Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens, who was selected in the first round (No. 7) of the 2002 National Football League Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. McKinnie played at Lackawanna in 1997 and 1998 and went on to The University of Miami ( Florida) where he was the recipient of the prestigious Outland Trophy, a consensus All-American offensive lineman, and the only offensive linemen to finish in the Top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting (7th). Before his coaching career began, Coach Duda was a star defensive lineman within the collegiate and professional ranks. Coach played his college ball at the University of Maryland where he still holds the schools record for sacks in a season with 13. After starting for 4 years for the Terrapins, Coach Duda was selected in the in the fourth round, 96th pick overall, in the 1983 draft by St. Louis Cardinals. Coach went on to play in 55 games, starting 34 of them, registering 9.5 sacks from his debut in 1983 to his retirement in 1987. Mark was inducted into the University of Maryland Wall of Fame in 1994 and a year later was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sport Hall of Fame. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Education by East Stroudsburg University in 1991. In 2005 he was awarded a Master of Arts in Professional Studies from Thomas Edison College. Mark Duda is currently the Head Football Coach for the Lackawanna Falcons.

Anthony Staivecki enters his second season as an assistant football coach with the Falcons for the 2025 campaign. In 2024, Staivecki oversaw a running back room that had two backs go over 500 yards rushing and five or more touchdowns, with Maurice Edwards leading the way at 978 yards and eleven scores. The Falcons averaged nearly five yards per carry, posting 182.3 yards per game on the ground. In addition to his running back coaching responsibilities, coach Staivecki also handles the recruiting operation for Lackawanna College. Prior to arriving at Lackawanna College, coach Staivecki spent a number of years in the high school ranks, coaching at Shenandoah Valley HS and his alma mater, Panther Valley. Coach Staivecki is an East Stroudsburg University graduate. 

McGrue will enter his first season as an assistant within the Falcons' program for the 2025 campaign, taking over the cornerbacks for Lackawanna. McGrue is a Lackawanna graduate, playing wide receiver, cornerback, and punt return for the Falcons from 2011 through 2013.

Nick Csillan, a former Lackawanna College football player along the offensive line, was hired in March 2026 to coach the tight ends, ahead of the 2026 season.   Csillan, a towering 6-foot-7 offensive lineman for the Falcons in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, returns to Scranton after spending time at the University of Albany. Csillan committed to the Great Danes after the 2024 season, but had to medically retire following spring ball in 2025, and he has now transitioned into coaching.   Nick is a Hamilton, NJ native, and will take over a tight ends group that will look to continue to do what it always has: Anchor a strong rushing attack, as well as provide extra options for the Lackawanna passing game.  

Ray began his Lackawanna College coaching career in the spring of 2018, ironically as a defensive coach, before eventually switching to offense. Coach Dayton is entering his fourth season as the offensive coordinator at Lackawanna for the 2025 campaign.  Ray came to the Falcons as a linebackers coach in 2018, but switched the next season to be the team's offensive line and tight ends coach. As a coach on the defense, he helped the Falcons earn several rankings in the top 10 in the country in various statistical categories. Ray aided 4 linebackers in signing scholarships to four-year universities, with 3 of them signing FBS/FCS NLI’s. Switching to offense the next season for 2019, coach Dayton oversaw a Falcons offense that overpowered opponents, averaging nearly 43 points per game and giving up only 14 sacks all season long. The Falcons went undefeated through the regular season, before dropping their final game in the 2019 NJCAA National Championship.  After two seasons away, Dayton returned to the program for the 2022 campaign to help as a co-offensive coordinator. After former OC Josh Pardini transitioned to an administrative role after the first month of the season, Dayton officially took over, helping guide the Falcons to a 7-3 overall record and a balanced offensive attack throughout the year, averaging 172 yards on the ground and 172 yards through the air per game.  Lackawanna College increased its offensive output in 2023, averaging 452.8 yards per game, and splitting that evenly once again, putting up 227.6 yards per game on the ground, and 225.2 yards per game through the air. Dayton's offense averaged 6.7 yards per play, and he helped develop 1st-Team NJCAA All-American Terrez Worthy, who ran for nearly 1,500 yards, tops in the country.  The 2024 Falcons were productive again, averaging 374.5 yards per game as an offense, balancing out 182.3 yards on the ground per contest and putting up 192.2 yards per game through the air. The Falcons averaged just under six yards per play, scoring 39.6 points per contest. Under Dayton's direction, running back Maurice Edwards ran for 978 yards and eleven touchdowns. Edwards' 978 yards is seventh all-time in a single season, while his eleven touchdowns for the year placed him in a four-way tie for third in Lackawanna College history. Ray has extensive experience as a coach and as a player.  He served as a high school football coach in New York state as head coach at Oxford and Unadilla Valley, and an assistant coach at Harpursville and Binghamton-Seton Catholic. Ray graduated from Alfred State and played at both Alfred State and Mansfield University.

Will Blanden was hired to be the Defensive Coordinator for Lackawanna College football in March 2026, ahead of the 2026 fall campaign. Blanden comes to Lackawanna after a five-season stay at Cornell University. With the Ivy League’s Big Red, Blanden spent time as the defensive backs coach, as well as the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator, before taking over as the safeties coach. Blanden coached several All-Ivy League defensive backs in each of his years at Cornell.   Before his stint in Ithaca, he spent eight years at Bloomsburg, serving as the interim defensive coordinator and then the special teams coordinator. In his time at Bloom, the Huskies were 52-28 with two NCAA DII playoff appearances. Blanden coached three All-Americans, including two on the defensive line, along with a PSAC Defensive POTY and a first-team Academic All-American. Blanden coached outstanding players like Justin Shirk, a 2014 BSN National POTY, as well as Bloomsburg’s all-time sack leader, Chris Gray, who finished his career with 29.5 sacks.   Blanden also had stops at Division III Nichols College, where he was the defensive backs coach, as well as strength and conditioning coach, and at Western Connecticut State, where he spent two seasons as the defensive backs coach.   Blanden played football and basketball at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he eventually became a quarterback, defensive back, and wide receiver during his time with the Bison. Blanden was a standout offensive player for the Bison in his time, ranking second in 2006 in total offense and helping the Bison win four of their final five games. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, then picked up his Master’s in Business Administration at Nichols College.  

Kevin Roginski is now in his fourth season as an assistant football coach for Lackawanna College, ahead of the 2025 season. Roginski spent his first two seasons on the defensive side of the ball, and spent 2024 with the h-backs and the tight ends, where he'll be again in 2025. With his unit battling injuries in 2024, coach Roginski had healthy tight end and a slot receiver for the majority of the year. The Falcons still managed to rush for 182 yards per game on the ground, while also throwing for over 192 yards per contest. In addition to his football coaching responsibilities, Roginski is also an assistant wrestling coach on the men's side, and he'll be in his second season for the 2025-2026 campaign. In his first year as an assistant with Lackawanna wrestling, Roginski helped the Falcons earn five national qualifiers. "Coach Kev" has been coaching football for years in Northeast PA, spending time on the high school circuit before coming to Lackawanna. Roginski is a Scranton native and a West Scranton HS graduate. 

Paul Wiedlich began his Lackawanna College career in 2021 as linebackers coach. He is entering his fifth season at Lackawanna College for the 2025 campaign, and is in charge of the Linebackers once again for the Falcons. 2024's Lackawanna squad was led by a trio of impressive linebackers for the Falcons. Andrew Marshall led the team with 59 total tackles, also leading the Falcons with 13.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks. Gene Townsel was second on the team with 55 total tackles, compiling 37 solos (tied with Marshall for first) and posting ten tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, while also forcing three fumbles. Nyair Graham had 45 total tackles and 13.5 tackles-for-loss, tied with Marshall for the team-high. The defensive unit gave up 20 points per game and allowed 218.1 yards of offense per game to the opponent. The Falcons had 41.5 sacks as a whole. Marshall earned a scholarship at FBS Eastern Michigan University, while Graham went to Division I HBCU Alcorn State and Townsel ended up at Division I Stonehill College.  2023's Falcons gave up 20.3 points per game, allowing 264.7 yards of offense to opponents. Lackawanna had 27 sacks as a team last season, 12 of which came from the defensive line, where Wiedlich was coaching at the time, while the d-line also compiled 31.5 tackles-for-loss. In 2022 Paul helped NT Najae Hallenbeck to an FCS scholarship at Wagner University. It was Hallenbeck's first year as a defensive lineman, having previously been recruited for the offensive side of the ball. The Falcons were a stingy defense up front, giving up only 55.7 yards on the ground per game, and Wiedlich helped guide the defense to 44 sacks, almost half coming from the defensive line. Prior to Lackawanna, Paul served as the head football coach at GAR Memorial High School in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Paul was wildly successful at GAR posting a record of 54-37 with two PIAA District II titles, two appearances in the PIAA State Quarterfinals, and seven total PIAA District II playoff appearances. He guided the Grenadiers to back-to-back eleven-win seasons in 2010 and 2011, helping take GAR to the PIAA Class AA playoffs in back-to-back years. Wiedlich was the last coach in GAR's long, storied football history, coaching his final season with his alma mater in 2018.  Paul is a graduate of Kings College, earning a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Paul has one daughter, Emily, and one son, Aiden, and is employed by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.  

Joe Zabielski was hired in March 2026 as an assistant football coach, in charge of the defensive line, ahead of the 2026 season. Zabielski was a longtime defensive line coach in his most recent stop at Misericordia University. Zabielski spent three seasons with coach Mark Ross with the Cougars, helping the 2018 team go 8-3 and make the first-ever postseason appearance in school history. Zabielski remained with the staff through the 2024 season at Misericordia. Before that, Zabielski was the defensive line coach at Wilkes University, helping the Colonels to a 2006 MAC championship. In all, Zabielski has over 30 years of coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels.   Zabielski is a long-time educator in the Valley View school district, and is originally from Old Forge, where he played as a quarterback, safety, and punter for the Blue Devils. Zabielski went on to play for Bucknell University, where he was a tight end and a punter for the Bison.  

Ray began his Lackawanna College coaching career in the spring of 2018, ironically as a defensive coach, before eventually switching to offense. Coach Dayton is entering his third season as the offensive coordinator at Lackawanna for the 2024 campaign.  Ray came to the Falcons as a linebackers coach in 2018, but switched the next season to be the team's offensive line and tight ends coach. As a coach on the defense, he helped the Falcons earn several rankings in the top 10 in the country in various statistical categories. Ray aided 4 linebackers in signing scholarships to four-year universities, with 3 of them signing FBS/FCS NLIs. Switching to offense the next season for 2019, coach Dayton oversaw a Falcons offense that overpowered opponents, averaging nearly 43 points per game and giving up only 14 sacks all season long. The Falcons went undefeated through the regular season, before dropping their final game in the 2019 NJCAA National Championship.  After two seasons away, Dayton returned to the program for the 2022 campaign to help as a co-offensive coordinator. After former OC Josh Pardini transitioned to an administrative role after the first month of the season, Dayton officially took over, helping guide the Falcons to a 7-3 overall record and a balanced offensive attack throughout the year, averaging 172 yards on the ground and 172 yards through the air per game.  Lackawanna College increased its offensive output in 2023, averaging 452.8 yards per game, and splitting that evenly once again, putting up 227.6 yards per game on the ground, and 225.2 yards per game through the air. Dayton's offense averaged 6.7 yards per play, and he helped develop 1st-Team NJCAA All-American Terrez Worthy, who ran for nearly 1,500 yards, tops in the country.  Ray has extensive experience as a coach and as a player.  He served as a high school football coach in New York state as head coach at Oxford and Unadilla Valley, and an assistant coach at Harpursville and Binghamton-Seton Catholic. Ray graduated from Alfred State and played at both Alfred State and Mansfield University.