Matt Hagelgans enters his fourth season as the offensive backs coach at East Stroudsburg, guiding the play of the tailbacks, fullbacks and tight ends. In 2023, he took full control of special teams coordinator, where he oversees the implementation of the placekicking, punting and kickoff return units.
Hagelgans has overseen a pair of All-PSAC East tailbacks in Gunner Anglovich (All-PSAC East First Team, 2021) and Tyriq Lewis (All-PSAC East Second Team, 2023), along with AFCA All-America Second Team kicker Devin Bartholomew.
ESU returned to the NCAA Playoffs in 2023 for the first time since 2009, as the Warriors ranked third in the PSAC and 46th in NCAA DII in rushing offense. Lewis and Tahir Mills paved the way running the ball, combining for 1,285 yards, and 14 touchdowns rushing, with the two backs combining to average 107 yards per contest and over five yards per carry.
In his first season as Offensive Backs Coach in 2021, Matt guided Gunner Anglovich to All-PSAC East First Team honors. Anglovich rushed for 962 yards and 8 Touchdowns, while also adding 210 receiving yards for a total of 1,196 all-purpose yards. In 2022, the Warriors used a committee of running backs to similar success. Four different running backs started games for the Warriors, with three different backs eclipsing the century mark in yards.
In 2022, Hagelgans helped the Warriors lead the PSAC in special teams efficiency.
In his first season coaching the special units, Hagelgans found success in both the kicking and return games. Devin Bartholomew was named All-PSAC East First Team, averaging 1.5 field goals made per game which was best in the conference and ranked third best nationally. Devin tied a school record at Seton Hill with five field goals made and hit a conference-long field goal of 50 yards. Bartholomew was perfect on extra point attempts in 2022 (28-28).
Hagelgans guided the kickoff-return unit that ranked sixth in the country in average return. Freshman Justin Cook led the PSAC and country in average kickoff return (35.0). Cook also broke the school record for longest kickoff return with a 100-yard touchdown at Shippensburg.
Prior to joining the ESU staff, Hagelgans coached in the Lehigh Valley as a defensive coordinator for 10 years. He spent three seasons as the Defensive
Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach at Liberty High School in Bethlehem. Before Liberty, he had stops at Catasauqua and Pleasant Valley as Defensive Coordinator.
Hagelgans graduated from Clemson University in 2010 where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in secondary education. He developed a passion for coaching at the university while aiding in the implementation and running of the university’s sports intramural programs. Following his graduation, he was given his first coaching job by long-time Stroudsburg head coach, Fred Ross, who Matt played for in high school.
Matt currently lives in Center Valley, Pa with his girlfriend Brittany and his 3-year-old son Brooks, who can’t wait to be a Warrior one day.