Football | 2/25/2025 1:30:00 PM
ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick's Executive Director of Athletics Paul Vecchio has announced Matt Rogers as the College's next head football coach, effective Monday, March 3.
"I am tremendously excited to welcome Matt to our Hawk family and can't wait to work alongside him in building our football program into a highly competitive member of the Empire 8 Conference," said Vecchio.
"Matt's experience of having played a significant role in being a part of football renaissances at both Utica and Morrisville, within the Empire 8 Conference, has provided a blueprint to him on what it takes to be successful in one of the strongest Division III football conferences in the country. In addition, Matt's work ethic, energy, focus and integrity were all lauded by our search committee and his team's outstanding performances on the offensive side of the ball have proven his strategic acumen. I am extremely excited about the future of Hawk football under Matt's leadership."
Rogers arrives at Hartwick after serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wilkes University in 2024. In his stint with the Colonels, he led a record-breaking offense that ranked in the top 50 nationally in rushing, scoring, red-zone efficiency and first downs.
Rogers spent three years at SUNY Morrisville as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. With the Mustangs, Rogers led an offense that improved in every statistical category including yards per game, yards per play, passing yards and passing touchdowns. In 2022, he helped Morrisville increase their win total by five games and earn a postseason bid for the first time since 2019.
Individually at Wilkes, Rogers coached eight All-Conference players, including quarterback and standout running back Elijah Jules, who tied for the national lead with 20 rushing touchdowns. At Morrisville, Rogers coached 16 All-Conference players, including quarterbacks, in back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023.
"I am extremely excited to become the next Head Football Coach at Hartwick College," said Rogers. "I am appreciative of President Mullen and Athletic Director Vecchio for trusting me with this opportunity. Going through the interview process, I was extremely impressed with the people I encountered. This is a place that wants to strive for excellence and that is something that I want to be a part of. Our football team will be tough, disciplined, and hard working, I can't wait to get to work!"
Rogers, a native of East Syracuse, N.Y., began his coaching career at his alma mater, Utica University, where he graduated in 2016 with a degree in journalism. At Utica, he also coached the running backs where he led the unit to two single-season and two all-time leading rushers in 2016 and 2018. The Pioneers also reached the postseason twice under his leadership as coach in New York, including the program's first victory in the 2018 ECAC Scotty Whitelaw Bowl.
Rogers, a respected recruiter in the tri-state area, is an active member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), further solidifying his ties to the coaching community. He earned his master's in liberal studies in 2019 from Utica University.
What they're saying about Matt Rogers:
"Hartwick is getting an outstanding coach and person in hiring Matt Rogers. In all my years of coaching I don't think I have ever worked with someone as detailed, organized, focused, and hard-working as Matt. He is a first-class individual that will do things the right way. As a coach, he will demand excellence from the coaching staff and players. I consider him a great coach, person, and an amazing friend!" - Ed Raby Jr., St. John Fisher University Head Football Coach
"Coach Rogers is a great leader and a great person. He always brings the same energy every day to every task." - Dave Biever, Wilkes University Head Football Coach
"Matt is the ultimate professional. He is an exceptional leader and mentor for student-athletes. He is excited about the opportunity to serve as the Head Football Coach for the Hartwick Hawks and be a part of their rich football history. I could not be happier or prouder for one of our Utica University Alumni." - Blaise Faggiano, Utica University Head Football Coach
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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