Billy Hug enters his fourth season with the Mount St. Joseph football program in 2026, his third as the Running Backs Coach, and his second as Co–Special Teams Coordinator. He previously served as the Assistant Wide Receivers Coach during his first year with the program.
In 2025, Hug coached a young running back unit following the graduation of four seniors and behind an offensive line that featured three true freshmen. Despite early challenges, the run game showed steady improvement as the season progressed. Sophomore Steven Napier led the group with 410 rushing yards, followed by junior Dallas De La Cruz with 303 yards. Hug also played a key role on special teams, mentoring multiple freshman standouts. Punter Connor Yeager earned First-Team All-HCAC honors after averaging 41.2 yards per punt with a long of 65 yards. Kicker Max Spencer received HCAC Honorable Mention recognition after finishing a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including a long of 45 yards. Freshman return specialist Joey Thamann was named First-Team All-HCAC after averaging 25 yards per return with a long of 78 yards.
Despite starting nine new players on offense, the Lions ranked second in the HCAC in scoring, third in total offense, and first in passing offense. The Mount’s passing attack also finished seventh nationally. The Lions placed second in the HCAC standings and earned a berth in the Extra Points Bowl in Canton, Ohio, as part of the 2025 Opendorse Bowl Series.
During his first season coaching the running backs in 2024, Hug guided the unit to an average of 4.7 yards per carry. Senior Jackson Gifford earned Second-Team All-HCAC honors after rushing for 906 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Three additional backs surpassed 200 rushing yards, helping the Lions finish second in the HCAC with 1,823 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. The Mount averaged 165.7 rushing yards per game and finished the season with the nation’s 10th-ranked passing offense and 11th-ranked total offense, averaging 476.4 yards per game and scoring 57 touchdowns. The Lions also captured their third consecutive conference championship and advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the third straight season.
In his inaugural season at Mount St. Joseph in 2023, Hug worked with the wide receivers and helped the Lions secure another conference championship and playoff appearance. That year, the offense ranked third nationally in both scoring (55.4 points per game) and total offense (552.5 yards per game). Under his guidance, two wide receivers earned All-HCAC honors, leading the conference in receiving touchdowns and ranking second and third in receiving yards.
Prior to joining Mount St. Joseph, Hug served as the Wide Receivers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Cincinnati Country Day School. In 2022, his receiving corps totaled 1,177 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping the program rank top-five in the Miami Valley Conference in passing offense, receiving offense, and total offense. His special teams units were among the conference’s best across the return, punting, and kicking phases. CCD finished 10–2, won the MVC Grey Championship, and earned the program’s first playoff victory in over 20 years. During his tenure, Hug coached three All-Conference wide receivers and a First-Team All-City kicker.
