Duquesne University Athletics

Hunter Geisel is in his seventh season on the Duquesne coaching staff in 2026. Geisel was promoted to tight ends coach in 2022, added Run Game Coordinator in 2024, and will begin his second year as Director of Operations in 2026.

A 2020 Duquesne graduate, Geisel served as a student assistant for three seasons prior to joining the staff as an offensive graduate assistant ahead of the 2020 season.

The Dukes have won three regular-season conference titles (2018, 2023, 2024) with Geisel on staff, while also making NCAA FCS Playoff appearances in 2018 and 2023. The 2018 team earned the program's first-ever FCS Playoff victory, defeating nationally ranked Towson in the opening round.

In his first season as run-game coordinator in 2025, Geisel's run game produced First Team All-NEC selection JaMario Clements and NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year Shawn Solomon Jr. Clements led the NEC with 986 rushing yards (89.6 per game) and ranked among the top 10 in the FCS in yards per carry (6.6). His run game played a key role in the Dukes producing the NEC's highest-scoring offense and most efficient red-zone offense. As a team, Duquesne averaged 153.1 rushing yards per game and scored 10 rushing touchdowns. His tight ends contributed to both blocking and the passing game, totaling three touchdown receptions.

The 2026 Dukes featured two second team All-NEC running backs while leading the NEC in rushing at 188.4 yards per game overall and 209.9 yards per game in NEC play, ranking among the top 20 in the FCS. Geisel's unit helped the Dukes post the NEC's highest-scoring offense for the second straight season, averaging 28.4 points per game. Duquesne averaged more than 370 yards of total offense per game overall and 386 yards per game in conference play while leading the league in offensive efficiency with a 138.7 rating. For the second straight year, a Duquesne running back ranked among the top 10 nationally in the FCS in yards per carry, with Ness Davis averaging 6.44 yards per carry. Seven different Dukes recorded a rushing touchdown, while his primary blocking tight ends added two touchdown receptions.

As a student assistant coach, Geisel collaborated with offensive coordinator Anthony Doria to create daily practice scripts and signal play calls for games and practices. He assisted wide receivers coach Luke Smith with daily positional meetings to review practice and game film, as well as the offensive playbook. Geisel was also instrumental in scouting for Duquesne, creating personalized opponent and self-scouting reports for head coach Jerry Schmitt on a weekly basis. He played a key role in video coordinating and recruiting for the Dukes.

A native of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Geisel graduated from Duquesne with a bachelor's degree in sports marketing and a minor in sales. While on staff as a student assistant coach, he also worked in the ticket offices of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates, along with Penn FC in Harrisburg, Pa., and served as a marketing intern for the Duquesne athletic department.