GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart Head Football Coach Kevin DeWall '00 announced the hiring of Justin Higgins and Lazarus Morgan as co-defensive coordinators. Both coaches bring extensive experience recruiting and coaching in the Northeast, including multiple stops within the region's Division III and Liberty League landscape.
 
"We're excited and fortunate to welcome two quality people and knowledgeable coaches to our football family," DeWall said. "Justin and Lazarus bring valuable experience to our staff and a strong understanding of our conference. As we realign the staff this spring, I'm eager to see them connect with our players, recruits and families and help our team perform at a high level."
 
Higgins comes to Geneva after spending last season as special teams coordinator at RPI, helping the Engineers to an 8-3 record and an ECAC Chapman Bowl win over St. John Fisher. Prior to his year in Troy, he spent seven seasons as the inaugural head coach at Keystone College, overseeing all aspects of the program, including the design and installation of football facilities, academic monitoring, community engagement and defensive play-calling.
 
Higgins previously served as a coordinator at Seton Hill (recruiting and special teams), Morrisville (defensive), and Utica (co-defensive and special teams). He also coached at Lehigh and Kean.
 
Morgan joins the Statesmen following four seasons as the head coach at Buffalo State. Last season, his Bengals led the Liberty League and ranked 10th nationally in passing yards allowed. A year earlier, Buffalo State led the league and was 24th in the nation in tackles for loss per game. He mentored 27 All-Liberty League players and 33 Liberty League All-Academic honorees.
 
Before joining the Bengals, Morgan served as the defensive coordinator at Cortland. His Red Dragon defense ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense and fifth in total defense in 2021 as Cortland went 11-1, won the Empire 8 Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
 
Morgan spent six seasons on the staff at Alfred, including four as the defensive coordinator. During his time with the Saxons, he coached four All-Americans, two regional players of the year and seven all-region selections. Morgan was a part of the 2016 Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year after Alfred won the league championship and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
 
Hobart closed the 2025 season with five straight wins to finish 6-5 overall, capped by a 42-14 victory over Maritime in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl. The Statesmen started only two seniors on defense in that game and return the majority of the unit for the 2026 season as Higgins and Morgan begin their first season leading the Hobart defense.