By: Keystone Sports Information
LA PLUME, Pa.- Keystone College Director of Athletics Kacy Manning has announced the promotion of Hugh Kirwan '24 MS as the next head football coach.
Kirwan takes over for Justin Higgins, who will be stepping down as head coach in May. Higgins was hired in 2018 to revive the football program after a decades-long hiatus and has been the heart of its rebuilding ever since. His leadership, hard work, and belief in our student-athletes helped reestablish football at Keystone and created a strong foundation for the future.
Kirwan joined the Keystone coaching staff in March 2020 as an Offensive Assistant. He was later named Special Teams Coordinator/Receivers Coach from 2021-2023 before being tabbed Pass Game/Special Teams Coordinator in 2024. In addition, he was also the recruiting coordinator.
"We're excited to announce that Coach Kirwan, who has been an integral part of our football program for the past four seasons, will step into the role of Head Football Coach," said Manning. "His dedication, leadership, and deep understanding of our student-athletes have made a lasting impact, and we're confident he will continue to guide the team with passion and purpose as we move forward."
In the team's first two seasons in the Landmark Conference, Kirwan helped the Giants offense and special teams reach new heights. Below are the accomplishments from the 2023 and 2024 campaign.
• 1 of 4 Teams in the Nation to not allow a blocked kick the past 2 seasons (239 Division III
• 3rd consecutive year with a Specialist All-Conference selection, 5 totals in 3 seasons
• T3rd in Nation for Kickoff Return Touchdowns
• Two Returners in top 50 in Nation for Combined Kick Return Yards
• 45 in Nation for Punt Return
• WR Top 25 in Nation for All Purpose Yards
• WR Top 3 in Conference for Receiving Yards
• QB Top 30 in Nation for Total Offense
• QB 42nd in Nation in Passing Yards
• QB & WR who received All-Conference accolades
• Broke program record for Total Offense in a season
• Broke program record for Passing Yards in a season
• 9th in Nation for Kickoff Return Defense
• 12th in Nation for Net Punting
• 31st in Nation in Punt Return Defense
• 3rd in Nation for Individual Combined Kick Return Yards
• 2nd in the Conference for Punt Return Average
• 2nd consecutive season blocking a kick for a touchdown
• WR Jayson Nami (Freehold Township, N.J./Freehold Township) finished in Top 25 in Nation All-Purpose Yards and led conference in Yards Per Catch
From Coach Kirwan, "I am humbled by the belief our administration has placed in my ability to assume the Head Football Coach position at Keystone College. It is an honor to represent our students, our alumni, and to counsel our young men into seeing the value in purpose. The relentless pursuit of excellence will be our defining characteristic. Every day, we will attack our process with the intent to close the distance between where we currently are, to where our best resides. In this endeavor, we will not tire. Go Giants!"
Prior to joining the Giants, Kirwan was the Offensive Coordinator and Special Teams Coach at Riverdale High School in Florida from 2018-2020. In 2018 he helped guide Riverdale to a perfect 10-0 regular season and coached the Lee County Offensive Player of the Year.
Kirwan began his coaching career at Pascack Hills High School in New Jersey, where he coached from 2015-2017, leading the quarterbacks and linebackers.
Kirwan played collegiately at Marist College from 2011-2014 where he appeared in 44 games and made 22 starts. During his time at Marist, he accrued 104 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. He was named team captain in 2014.
A native of Montvale, N.J., Kirwan earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Marist. He later earned his Master of Science degree in Sports Leadership Management from Keystone in May 2024.
