LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven football team has struggled the past two seasons with a combined record of 2-20. Dan Mulrooney was named the head football coach for Lock Haven on Jan. 31, 2022. In Mulrooney’s first season, the team finished with a record of 1-10, grabbing a 35-34 victory against Post University.
Fast forward to seven weeks into the 2023 football season and Mulrooney and the Bald Eagles have a record of 4-3, sitting fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East standings.
“It’s been pretty crazy what we’re able to do,” Mulrooney said. “Taking over a program that has not had a winning season in over 40 years. This is the best start that we’ve had here since 2002. I’m really proud of my staff, players, and everything that’s happened and transpired over the last seven weeks. But we can’t celebrate yet. There’s still four more games left so I want to try to win as many as we can and then celebrate.”
The 2023 football season has been historic for the Bald Eagles. Their 4-3 start is the best start for the program in the last 21 years. Four wins is also the best since 2016. The Bald Eagles defeated Millersville, 38-31, grabbing their first win against a PSAC East opponent since 2018. The Haven defeated Clarion, 21-20, for their first win against a PSAC West opponent since 2019. Mulrooney calls this “The New Era” for Lock Haven football.
“(The New Era) a mentality, that’s what getting #LockedIn is about. It’s an underdog mentality. I came here because I saw the biggest challenge in the country. And I wanted to make it the best opportunity in the country. It’s really hard to win football games in this league. There are no easy games, the PSAC East is amazing football.”
A big part of Lock Haven’s success has been recruiting, going from 38 to 112 players, including 17 graduate transfers, one being linebacker Cody Romano, who transferred from Penn State University.
“Cody coming to Lock Haven just speaks volumes about where we can go,” Mulrooney noted. “He came to a 1-10 team, because he trusted me, the coaches, and our vision.”
The Bald Eagles have had a lot of success running the ball with Chris Collier, another graduate transfer from Wagner College. Seven weeks into the season, Collier leads the PSAC in rushing yards with 796, while averaging over 113 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry. Collier is also tied for the most rushing touchdowns with nine.
“I knew the minute he walked on campus he was special,” Mulrooney said. “He’s a three-dimensional player. He has the speed, the strength, and the athleticism. He’s hard to tackle, he understands the game so well, and he gives our offense a lot of energy when he’s on the field.”
Lock Haven is fresh off a 21-13 victory over Bloomsburg. Collier rushed for 253 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging 7.2 yards a carry, earning himself Offensive Football Player of the Week honors.
UP NEXT:
Lock Haven will host PSAC East opponent Kutztown at Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1:00 p.m.
