Steve Cushing has been named the head football coach at Misericordia, the athletic department announced on Feb. 14.
A 2018 Misericordia graduate, Cushing was the defensive coordinator for 2023 D-III national champion Cortland where he spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach.
"I am thrilled to welcome Steve Cushing back to the Misericordia community and football program," said Edkins. "In addition to being a proven leader and winner with a national championship under his belt, Steve is committed to recruiting and developing quality young men."
Cushing also served as the football program's academic coordinator and social media coordinator at Cortland where he spearheaded a significant increase in the team GPA and social media following.
In addition, he has served as interim head coach at Cortland since December 2024.
At Cortland, Cushing led the Red Dragons to a 45-5 record and four Empire 8 championships. Cortland made four NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the round of 16 in 2021 and 2024.
Cushing coached 28 All-Empire 8 players at Cortland, including two conference Players of the Year, and four All-Americans.
Prior to Cortland, Cushing spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Wilkes University.
He earned his degree in business from Misericordia and got his master's in sport management from Cortland. He is excited about the opportunity to return to his alma mater.
"Coaching football is my passion and my mission as a coach is to develop young men into grown men," said Cushing. "It is a tremendous honor to return to my alma mater as the head football coach. Misericordia molded me into the person I am today and I am grateful to the campus community for the opportunities I was provided. I grew through the values of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality, and continue to lean on them daily."
He was a four-year player as a linebacker and safety at Misericordia where he was a four-time member of the MAC Academic Honor Roll and a seven-time member of the MU Dean's List.
Cushing was a starter on the 2018 Misericordia team that finished 8-3 and earned the first postseason berth in school history.
"The Misericordia community is amazingly unique and provides an incredible experience for its students," said Cushing. "With the academic reputation, growing alumni base, and strong administrative support, I believe we can build a successful football tradition at Misericordia."