LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven football second-year coach Joe Battaglia has announced the Bald Eagles’ coaching staff for the 2026 season. Rick Istvan (defensive line) and Josh Bernocco (wide receivers) have joined the staff, while Jeri Petite Jr. has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator.

Michael Derasmo also returns as the defensive coordinator.

The Bald Eagles are coming off their first winning season in 44 years and will look to build on the momentum in 2026.

Lock Haven went 5-2 run down the stretch and put an exclamation point on an all-around sensational season for first-year head coach Joe Battaglia and his coaching staff. The six wins are believed to be the most for a first-year Lock Haven head coach since H.J. Kaiser led Lock Haven to seven wins in 1931.

After back-to-back five-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, the six wins this season push Lock Haven’s three-year run to 16, the most since 16 wins from 1980-82.

The Bald Eagles’ annual Crimson vs. White Spring Game is set for Saturday, April 18, at noon at Hubert Jack Stadium.

• This spring, Petite was elevated to offensive coordinator, while remaining in charge of the offensive line. The 2026 season will be his fifth with the Bald Eagles.

Since joining the program in 2022, the Lock Haven offense has reached new heights, starting with the men in the trenches under Petite Jr.

In 2026, The Haven ranked third in total offense behind 261.6 yards per game and 25 total touchdowns.

Lock Haven led the conference in passing in 2024 with 3198 yards at a 290.7 yards per game clip.

In 2023, All-American running back Chris Collier signed with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) and is a current member of the Las Vegas Raiders. Collier was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Athlete of the Year as the top running back in the conference in 2024.

“Jeri has been an integral part of not only this offense, but of this entire football program. Over the last four seasons, Coach Petite has continued to grow professionally, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is ready for this next step of his career,” Battaglia said. “I am excited to work hand in hand with Coach Petite and continue to evolve our offense.”

• Derasmo serves as the defensive coordinator at Lock Haven and has also served as the program’s head strength and conditioning coach since joining the staff in 2022. As head of strength and conditioning, he is responsible for the physical development of the football program, overseeing year-round training, performance preparation, and player development.

Promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2023 season, Derasmo oversees all defensive operations. The Bald Eagles allowed 42.6 points per game in 2022, ranking 158th nationally, last in the country & last in the PSAC. The Bald Eagles improved to 25.8 points per game by 2025, a reduction of 16.8 points per contest.

“Coach Derasmo has done an unbelievable job on the defensive side of the ball, climbing in rankings in almost every statistical category defensively both in the conference, and nationally,” Battaglia said. “Coach Derasmo is an integral part of our program throughout our alumni base and in the community, and will do a great job spearheading our fundraising efforts.”

• Bernocco is set for his first season in 2026 and will lead the wide receivers. Bernocco joins the staff after serving as the special team and recruiting coordinator at Bloomsburg since 2024.Bernocco earned his bachelor of science in business education in 2023 from Bloomsburg.

“We hit a home run hire by hiring Coach Bernocco on staff here at Lock Haven. Josh brings a wealth of knowledge to us, having coached in the PSAC the last few years, I am excited to see where Coach Bernocco takes us in the receiver room,” Battaglia said.

• Istvan joins the coaching staff in 2026 and will lead the defensive line. Istvan previously served as the defensive line coach at Elizabeth State University, Quincy University and American International College.

He also spent time in the professional ranks as a defensive intern for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Arena Football League.

Istvan earned his bachelor of science from Quincy and his mastors of business from American International.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Coach Istvan to join the Bald Eagle coaching staff,” Battaglia said. “Coach Istvan has an outstanding ability to develop defensive linemen and I am excited for him to continue to take our defense to the next level.”