Joe Battaglia named Lock Haven’s new head football coach

LOCK HAVEN– Joe Battaglia has officially been named Lock Haven’s new head football coach.

Battaglia, who was named the interim head coach in mid-January, first joined the Lock Haven football staff in April of 2022 as the offensive coordinator.

“Joe’s passion, energy and commitment to success have been contributing factors in the recent success that Lock Haven football has experienced,” said Albert Jones, interim director of athletics. “I’m excited and optimistic for the future direction of the program under Joe’s leadership.”

“I’m honored and beyond excited to be named the next head football coach at Lock Haven,” Battaglia said. “I want to thank President Bashar Hanna, Vice President Stephen Lee, Albert Jones and the rest of the search committee for the extraordinary opportunity to lead this program. Most importantly, I want to thank the student-athletes for their loyalty over the past few months, and for believing in this coaching staff and the vision we set forth. Looking back, I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to first join the Lock Haven football family back in 2022 and I want to strengthen the foundation built over the last few seasons. We are excited to kick off this new era of Bald Eagle football and we look forward to making this community proud.”

Since taking over offensive-play calling duties for the Bald Eagles in 2022, Battaglia has turned The Haven’s offense into one of the most prolific in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), both through the air and on the ground.

“Joe has played a key role in the recent success of Lock Haven football and his leadership has been instrumental in player development,” said Stephen Lee, vice president for enrollment management and Lock Haven campus administrator. “I’m confident the program will grow and succeed under Joe’s leadership.”

In 2024, quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky finished the season with 3,203 passing yards, 291.18 passing yards-per-game and 27 passing-touchdowns, all of which led the PSAC. All of those marks also stand as Lock Haven single-season passing records. All-American wide receiver T’iar Young won the PSAC receiving triple crown after earning the top marks in receiving yards (1,146), receiving yards-per-game (104.2) and receiving touchdowns (11).

In 2023, current Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) running back Chris Collier earned multiple All-American honors and was named PSAC Offensive Player of the Year, after leading the league in rushing and breaking the Lock Haven football program record for single-season rushing yards (1,393).

Both Ostrowsky (2024) and Collier (2023) where nominated for the Harlon Hill award, which is given to the top player in Division II football and equivalent the Heisman trophy at the DI level.

Much of Lock Haven’s recent on-field success was fueled by the Battaglia-led offense, and in 2023 when Lock Haven won five games, it stood as the Bald Eagles’ first five-win season in 42 years (1982). The Haven has now posted 10 wins in two seasons (2023 and 2024), the most victories in a two-year stretch since Lock Haven won 11 games in 1981 (6) and 1982 (5).

When Battaglia joined Lock Haven’s staff in 2022, he added nearly a decade of coaching experience following stints at Division I Coastal Carolina, Temple and Georgia Tech.

Before coming to The Haven, Battaglia was on staff at Georgia Tech, where he served as an offensive analyst and assistant who aided the development of quarterbacks and draft prospects. Prior to his stint at Georgia Tech, Battaglia served the Temple staff in a similar capacity. Under Battaglia’s tutelage, Owls’ quarterback Anthony Russo was named to the Maxwell Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm watchlists. Battaglia got his start in coaching at Coastal Carolina, where he mentored the tight ends and inside wide receivers. At Coastal Carolina he guided seven different players to All-Big South Conference accolades.

Prior to his coaching days, Battaglia was a quarterback for one season at Division III Hartwick College.

He earned a degree in business administration from Coastal Carolina in 2014, before earning a master’s degree from both Temple and Georgia Institute of Technology.

Lock Haven will host its annual Crimson and White Spring Game on Sunday, April 27. The game will start at 11:30 a.m. at Hubert Jack Stadium.