ITHACA, N.Y. – Mike Hatcher, the former offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Misericordia University, has returned to Ithaca College to serve as an offensive assistant coach. The hiring was announced by head coach Dan Swanstrom on March 31, 2020.

"I'm very excited to welcome Mike and his family back to Ithaca," said Swanstrom. "He is a very hard-working coach who is committed to the standards and culture that we have in our football program."  

Hatcher, who spent the last eight seasons at Misericordia in Dallas, Pa., was a graduate assistant at IC during the 2007 season and served as an assistant coach (offensive line, wide receivers and quarterbacks) from 2008-11.

"My family and I are thrilled to be re-joining the Ithaca College community," stated Hatcher. "I would like to sincerely thank Susan Bassett and Coach Swanstrom for this tremendous opportunity. I am excited for the chance to contribute to such a historic and tradition rich program. I am really looking forward to building relationships with our players over the next few months and getting to work on our preparation for the 2020 season."

While at Misericordia, Hatcher also served as recruiting coordinator for the Cougar, who compete in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The Cougars started their football program in 2012 and went 14-8 over the past two seasons, including and 8-3 mark in 2018. Each of the past two seasons, Misericordia has reached the postseason, playing in the MAC-Centennial Bowl. That 2018 squad averaged nearly 33 points per game and more than 405 yards of offense.

Hatcher was the primary play-caller for the Cougars and oversaw the development of the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 – Brady Williams – who threw for 1,986 yards and 18 touchdowns, to just two interceptions, and scored 13 more times in the ground on 545 yards rushing.

During his time at Ithaca, Hatcher was on the sidelines for 34 victories and two trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and 2008. The Bombers earned an automatic bid to the tournament in 2008 after winning the Empire 8 Conference regular season title, and an at-large berth in 2007.

Hatcher was a four-year wide receiver at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. He earned all-star honors from the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) three times and served as a team captain as a senior. Hatcher was a member of Rhodes' team honor council and was named to the SCAC's Academic All-Conference Team in 2006.