Misericordia University Men's Football

Steve Cushing '18 is entering his first season as the head football coach at Misericordia University. A Misericordia graduate, Cushing was the defensive coordinator for the 2023 D-III national champion SUNY-Cortland where he spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach. “I am thrilled to welcome Steve Cushing back to the Misericordia community and football program,” said Misericordia Director of Athletics, Chuck Edkins.  “In addition to being a proven leader and winner with a national championship under his belt, Steve is committed to recruiting and developing quality young men.” Cushing also served as the football program’s academic coordinator and social media coordinator at Cortland where he spearheaded a significant increase in the team GPA and social media following.  In addition, he has served as interim head coach at Cortland since December 2024. At Cortland, Cushing led the Red Dragons to a 45-5 record and four Empire 8 Conference championships.  Cortland made four NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the Sweet 16 in 2021 and 2024. Cushing coached 28 All-Empire 8 players at Cortland, including two conference Players of the Year, and four All-Americans. Prior to Cortland, Cushing spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Wilkes University. He earned his degree in business from Misericordia and got his master’s in sport management from Cortland.  He is excited about the opportunity to return to his alma mater. “Coaching football is my passion and my mission as a coach is to develop young men into grown men,” said Cushing.  “It is a tremendous honor to return to my alma mater as the head football coach.   Misericordia molded me into the person I am today and I am grateful to the campus community for the opportunities I was provided. I grew through the values of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality, and continue to lean on them daily.”   He was a four-year player as a linebacker and safety at Misericordia where he was a four-time member of the MAC Academic Honor Roll and a seven-time member of the MU Dean’s List. Cushing was a starter on the 2018 Misericordia team that finished 8-3 and earned the first postseason berth in school history.   “The Misericordia community is amazingly unique and provides an incredible experience for its students,” said Cushing. “With the academic reputation, growing alumni base, and strong administrative support, I believe we can build a successful football tradition at Misericordia.”  

Jaret Jystad is in his Third year on the Misericordia University football staff and will serve as the wide receivers coach. Jystad was a four-year letter-winner and 2022 graduate at The Apprentice School in Newport News, VA. As a quarterback, Jystad finished his career with a 165.1 passer rating and was elected a two-year team captain while securing USCAA All-Academic team honors three years in a row. Jystad was a part of the 2022 team that finished 9-1 and beat Bridgewater College in the Neptune Bowl. Jystad is a graduate 2019 graduate of North Henderson High School in Hendersonville, NC where he was a two-year starter at quarterback.

Tom Haughey is in his first season as the football offensive line coach.  Haughey spent the 2024 season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Lawrence (WI) University. In just one season at Lawrence, he helped increase the average rush yardage per game by more than 50 yards and lowered the sacks allowed from 50 to 17. Prior to Lawrence, he coached tight ends/running backs and was the assistant offensive line coach for two season at his alma mater, Susquehanna University.   At Susquehanna, he coached five all conference players and two all-region selections. Haughey earned his master's degree in Athletics Leadership from Castleton (VT).

Played for Misericordia University 2019-2023 3-year starter  3-year captain  2nd team all conference defensive end  100+ career tackles  Defensive line and safeties coach at Misericordia

Kyle Gallagher is in his first season as the football offensive coordinator. Gallagher spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at SUNY Cortland where he led the Red Dragons to the 2023 NCAA D-III national championship and three Empire 8 league titles. At Cortland, Gallagher served as wide receivers coach and also compiled an 8-1 record as head coach/offensive coordinator of the junior varsity team. He coached 10 all-conference selections, four all-region players and one All-American at Cortland, including two players who reached the NFL. In addition, he spent one season as an assistant coach with the Virginia Armada of Major League Football.   Gallagher earned his bachelor's degree in industrial labor relations from Cornell and earned his master's degree in management studies from Duke.   He was a two-year letterman at quarterback at Cornell as well as a rightfielder on the Big Red baseball team.  He played one season of baseball at Duke.