CONTACT: Kristan M. Pelletier, (518) 629-8063; k.pelletier@hvcc.edu
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, Dec. 01, 2010
Upon the conclusion of a national search, Hudson Valley Community College Director of Athletics Kristan M. Pelletier announces the appointment of Jason Houghtaling as the college's Athletic Academic Coordinator and Head Football Coach. Houghtaling served as the interim head football coach at Hudson Valley this past season.
Prior to joining Hudson Valley Community College, Houghtaling spent five years as an assistant football coach at Wagner College, where he served four seasons as the offensive line coach and one as the running backs coach. His time at Wagner included administrative responsibilities as compliance assistant and equipment manager, as well as oversight of recruiting efforts in the upstate New York area. During his tenure at Wagner, Houghtaling worked for the accomplished Walt Hameline, who this past season became just the eighth active FCS head coach to win 200 games and also is just the 66th coach in NCAA history to reach the 200-win club.
"We are very fortunate to have Jason join us as a member of the Hudson Valley Community College Athletic Department and college community. In addition to the vast knowledge and expertise he brings with him, he is an exemplary role model and is committed to ensuring the success of our student-athletes academically, athletically and personally," states Pelletier.
Houghtaling's coaching career began with a two-year tenure at Milford Academy, where he was the defensive coordinator and an integral part of the football program's 20-3 record.
As a student-athlete himself, Houghtaling played one season at Lafayette College before segueing into coaching with a career-ending knee injury. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from SUNY Binghamton and a master's degree in education from Wagner.
Houghtaling says of his appointment, "I am extremely excited about the opportunity that Hudson Valley Community College and the administration have afforded me. I look forward to working with all student-athletes in the capacity of athletic academic coordinator, and am equally excited about building a successful football program."