Wagner Announces Change In Leadership Of Football Program

Staten Island, NY – Wagner College Director of Athletics Walt Hameline has announced that Wagner has parted ways with Head Football Coach Jason Houghtaling. "After each season, as an athletic department, we evaluate each and every one on staff and came to this decision, solely based on the results that a change would be in the best interest of the program," said Hameline. "We thank Jason and his family for his service to our school and his undeniable commitment to our student-athletes. I have tremendous respect for Coach Hoss and his dedication to recruiting and developing young men of character while leading them with integrity. He has represented Wagner with dignity, class, and we wish Coach and his family the very best." The eleventh head coach in program history and second in the Division I era, Houghtaling compiled a head coaching record of 16-40 in five seasons on Grymes Hill while posting an 11-20 mark in the Northeast Conference (NEC). In 2016, the Green & White went 6-5 overall, which included a 4-2 mark in the league. In his five seasons as head coach, Houghtaling mentored 28 All-NEC selections, which includes 15 First-Team selections, headlined by 2018 & 2019 NEC Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill. Gill became just the fifth player in NEC history to repeat as the league's top defensive player and finished his collegiate career as the conference's all-time sack leader with 34. Houghtaling was also instrumental in the development of running back Ryan Fulse, who finished the 2018 season as an Associated Press First Team All-American. Under Houghtaling's leadership, two-sport standout Greg Senat was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, becoming the first Seahawk in 53 years, and third all-time, to be drafted by an NFL team. Houghtaling was elevated to head football coach on November 25, 2014, taking over for Hameline, who served in a dual role as Seahawk athletic director and head football coach for 34 years before stepping down from the head coaching position. Prior to his appointment as the Seahawks' head coach, Houghtaling served as Wagner's offensive coordinator during the 2012 and 2014 NEC title runs.