Football
Sutyak , Craig
Craig Sutyak
- Title:
- Defensive Backs Coach
- Email:
- cas714@lehigh.edu
- Phone:
- 610-758-6979
- Alma Mater:
- Fourth season
Recruiting Areas: Northern and Northeastern New Jersey, Central and Western Pennsylvania
Craig Sutyak begins his fifth season as Lehigh’s secondary coach and his second as the Mountain Hawks’ Defensive Coordinator.
In his first season as coordinator, Sutyak assumed the play calling duties and helped Lehigh to wins in five of its final six games. A rash of injuries led to a number of underclassmen, gaining valuable experience in the secondary. Sophomore free safety Riley O’Neil emerged as Lehigh’s second-leading tackler, while senior Quentin Jones moved around to three different positions and provided leadership to the back end of the defense. In addition to the freshmen and sophomores who gained experience, Lehigh’s secondary will return leaders Sam McCloskey and Donavon Harris, who both had their 2017 campaigns cut short due to injury.
In 2016, Lehigh’s secondary showed significant improvement, as the Mountain Hawks ranked third in the Patriot League in pass defense. After registering just five interceptions in 2015, Lehigh picked off 17 passes in 2016, with the secondary accounting for 10 interceptions. Cornerback Brandon Leaks earned second team All-Patriot League honors, sophomore safety Sam McCloskey tied for the team lead with three interceptions and a freshman, Riley O’Neil started all 12 games at free safety.
In 2015, Sutyak helped cornerback Olivier Rigaud earn the first All-Patriot League honor of his career, while the three younger starters in Lehigh’s secondary all gained significant experience.
In his first season in Bethlehem, Sutyak’s secondary accounted for seven of Lehigh’s eight interceptions, with Leaks leading the way with three.
Sutyak spent the previous eight seasons as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Franklin & Marshall College, where his units were among the stingiest in the Centennial Conference. In eight seasons, his defensive players earned 27 All-Centennial Conference honors.
In 2013, Sutyak's defense featured three All-ECAC South performers and ranked third in the Centennial Conference in pass defense. The Diplomats ranked second in passing defense and total defensive efficiency and ranked third in scoring. In his first season at F&M, he brought in an aggressive approach produced ten more sacks, 13 more forced fumbles and eight more fumble recoveries than the previous year. He also helped the Diplomats’ defense save 9.3 rushing yards off it’s per game average.
In 2004-2005, Sutyak was an assistant coach at Fordham University. He coached the secondary and was responsible for the kickoff team. He coached the cornerbacks in 2004 helping the Rams finish second in passing defense in the Patriot League. The Rams 98.89 passing efficiency defense rating ranked eighth nationally. Fordham’s 2004 defense led the Patriot League in forced turnovers with 29 takeaways.
Sutyak started his coaching career in 2001 and 2002 at Allegheny College.
A 2001 graduate of Dickinson College with a degree in Psychology, Sutyak earned his Masters of Education from Edinboro in 2003. At Dickinson, Sutyak was a three-year letter winner as a running back and kickoff and punt returner. He ranks among the Red Devils’ career leaders in kickoff and punt returns and return yards.
Sutyak and his wife Melissa have three sons: Lucas, Timothy and Nicholas.
Craig Sutyak begins his fifth season as Lehigh’s secondary coach and his second as the Mountain Hawks’ Defensive Coordinator.
In his first season as coordinator, Sutyak assumed the play calling duties and helped Lehigh to wins in five of its final six games. A rash of injuries led to a number of underclassmen, gaining valuable experience in the secondary. Sophomore free safety Riley O’Neil emerged as Lehigh’s second-leading tackler, while senior Quentin Jones moved around to three different positions and provided leadership to the back end of the defense. In addition to the freshmen and sophomores who gained experience, Lehigh’s secondary will return leaders Sam McCloskey and Donavon Harris, who both had their 2017 campaigns cut short due to injury.
In 2016, Lehigh’s secondary showed significant improvement, as the Mountain Hawks ranked third in the Patriot League in pass defense. After registering just five interceptions in 2015, Lehigh picked off 17 passes in 2016, with the secondary accounting for 10 interceptions. Cornerback Brandon Leaks earned second team All-Patriot League honors, sophomore safety Sam McCloskey tied for the team lead with three interceptions and a freshman, Riley O’Neil started all 12 games at free safety.
In 2015, Sutyak helped cornerback Olivier Rigaud earn the first All-Patriot League honor of his career, while the three younger starters in Lehigh’s secondary all gained significant experience.
In his first season in Bethlehem, Sutyak’s secondary accounted for seven of Lehigh’s eight interceptions, with Leaks leading the way with three.
Sutyak spent the previous eight seasons as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Franklin & Marshall College, where his units were among the stingiest in the Centennial Conference. In eight seasons, his defensive players earned 27 All-Centennial Conference honors.
In 2013, Sutyak's defense featured three All-ECAC South performers and ranked third in the Centennial Conference in pass defense. The Diplomats ranked second in passing defense and total defensive efficiency and ranked third in scoring. In his first season at F&M, he brought in an aggressive approach produced ten more sacks, 13 more forced fumbles and eight more fumble recoveries than the previous year. He also helped the Diplomats’ defense save 9.3 rushing yards off it’s per game average.
In 2004-2005, Sutyak was an assistant coach at Fordham University. He coached the secondary and was responsible for the kickoff team. He coached the cornerbacks in 2004 helping the Rams finish second in passing defense in the Patriot League. The Rams 98.89 passing efficiency defense rating ranked eighth nationally. Fordham’s 2004 defense led the Patriot League in forced turnovers with 29 takeaways.
Sutyak started his coaching career in 2001 and 2002 at Allegheny College.
A 2001 graduate of Dickinson College with a degree in Psychology, Sutyak earned his Masters of Education from Edinboro in 2003. At Dickinson, Sutyak was a three-year letter winner as a running back and kickoff and punt returner. He ranks among the Red Devils’ career leaders in kickoff and punt returns and return yards.
Sutyak and his wife Melissa have three sons: Lucas, Timothy and Nicholas.
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