Erie, Pa. - Ahead of the new season, Mercyhurst football adds to their sidelines with four new coaches along with internal elevations for several staff members. As Head Coach Ryan Riemedio prepares for another year, he and his staff look to put together a successful campaign in what promises to be an exciting year for the Lakers in their first year as a Division I institute.

Elijah Altizer is the first of the new hires for the Lakers with him assuming the position of Pass Game Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach. Altizer previously spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons with Mercyhurst as a Graduate Assistant in 2021 while being lifted to the role of Defensive Backs Coach for the 2022 campaign, helping the Lakers rank second in the PSAC in pass defense. After spending 2023 at his alma mater, Old Dominion, Altizer returns to Erie looking to once again establish the team's secondary as one of their strengths as they join the NEC. 

Christopher Jones is the second of the Laker's hires with Jones being named the Inside Linebackers Coach. Jones is a graduate of Lincoln University with a Bachelor's in Business Administration while earning his Master's in Sport Management in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Liberty University. Most recently, Jones coached at Quincy University, instructing their sprint football team with the Hawks having one of the better defenses in the country over the course of multiple years, leading the way in rush defense, pass defense, points per game allowed, third down percentage, and fourth down percentage at various times during his tenure.

Thomas Sydeski also joins Riemedio's staff for the new year, looking to help the offense take a step forward after one of their better years in recent history with him being named the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. Sydeski has been on the sidelines for the pas six years with stops as Old Dominion, Florida International, Bryant, and West Georgia with his most recent experience coming with UWG as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. He has been able to produce big numbers at all of his stops on offense with his 2021 campaign with Bryant being one of his best as they finished first in the Big South in passing offense, third down conversions, passing touchdowns, and points per game. Quarterbacks have gone on to have plenty of success under Sydeski as well with numerous all-conference selections and more recently the 2023 GSC Freshman of the Year in Cameran Brown who finished with 1,392 all-purpose yards.

Mason Osborn joins the Laker's ranks after spending time on the gridiron for the team as he is named a Graduate Assistant and Outside Linebackers Coach for the upcoming season. Osborn graduate from Mercyhurst in 2024 with a Bachelor's in Economics and Finance and now looks to use his experience as a player for the Lakers in his new role. Over the course of his career on the field, the native of Ambridge, Pa. appeared in a total of seven games with his energy and enthusiasm for the game proving to be a major positive on the field, on the sidelines, and in the locker room.

Mackenzie Bardol is the final new addition to coach Riemedio's staff with Bardol being named the Director of Football Operations. Mackenzie graduated from Saint Mary's College with a Bachelor's in Communication Studies in the spring of 2022 with her being an active member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program over the course of the last five years. Bardol worked in several different roles for Notre Dame, seeing time as an equipment manager, personnel manager, and equipment intern. Her impact on the Irish's program was felt thanks to her professionalism and enthusiasm and Riemedio and his staff now bring that to Erie.

Among the additions to the Laker's staff the team also announces changes in titles for returning coaches. Michael Waring is elevated to Associate Head Coach while retaining his duties as the Recruiting Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach while Fredrick Gladney is promoted to the Special Teams Coordinator with a move to the Wide Receivers Coach to go along with his responsibilities as the Academic Coordinator. Kalleigh Burke joins the staff as a full-time member now as she goes from graduate assistant to assistant coach, continuing her role as the Defensive Line Coach while Jaylen McNair is promoted to assistant coach as well with his title and Running Backs Coach and Video Coordinator.