TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head football coach Ralph Isernia has announced the addition of Justin Higgins to the RPI coaching staff as Special Teams Coordinator.

Higgins brings over two decades of coaching experience to Troy, having led programs at both the collegiate and high school levels, with a proven track record of success on defense and special teams.

Most recently, he served as head football coach at Keystone College, where he helped launch the school's football program and oversaw all facets of operations, including defensive play-calling, special teams development, facility enhancements, and academic monitoring.

"We are thrilled to welcome Justin Higgins to our team," said Coach Isernia. "He is a tremendous coach, teacher and mentor. Coach Higgins brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our entire organization. He has already made an impact on our defense and special teams units. He is a great recruiter and has hit the ground running for the class of '26. We can't wait to get back on the field with REDFAM."

Higgins' coaching resume includes tenures as Defensive Coordinator at Morrisville State College in addition to assistant coach roles at Utica College, Seton Hill University, and Lehigh University.

A 2000 graduate of Ithaca College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in politics with minors in health and coaching, Higgins later completed a Master of Arts in Classroom Instruction at Kean University. He holds multiple New York State teaching certifications and has also taught at the elementary and high school levels.