John (Jack) Lydic returned to the Susquehanna football coaching staff in March 2021. Lydic previously served as an assistant coach at SU for three seasons between 2008 and 2010. As he did back in his first stint at Susquehanna, the Selinsgrove, Pa., native coaches the quarterbacks.
Lydic is back at Susquehanna following eight seasons at his alma mater, NCAA Division II Bloomsburg University. In his first five seasons with the Huskies, he coached the quarterbacks and receivers before being elevated to the role of offensive coordinator prior to the 2017 season. Bloomsburg captured the 2013 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship and made three straight appearances in the NCAA Division II Football Championship Tournament (2012-2014). In 2014, the Huskies advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
During his tenure at Bloomsburg, Lydic coached 14 offensive All-PSAC East selections, including a pair of First Team picks in 2017. He guided quarterback Tim Kelly '15 in becoming BU's all-time leader in passing yards (7,561) and yards gained (8,459) while coaching wide receiver Michael Allen '20 to third all-time in receptions (179). Allen finished his career as a three-time All-PSAC East Second Team honoree.
A 2005 graduate and three-year starter at Bloomsburg, the Huskies won four PSAC Eastern Division Championships and made a pair of NCAA Division II playoff appearances during Lydic's collegiate career. As a senior team captain in 2005, he led BU to an undefeated regular season and an NCAA Second Round appearance. Lydic earned All-PSAC East Second Team honors in 2005 and is currently ranked fifth on the all-time passing yards list with 5,186 yards and ninth in career touchdown passes with 31.
Following his playing days at Bloomsburg, he went on to play quarterback for the Hamburg Blue Devils of the German Football League (GFL) and Budapest Cowboys of the Central European Football League. Lydic was also a member of the offensive coaching staffs for both teams. He led the GFL with 31 touchdown passes while throwing for more than 2,700 yards in 2007.
Lydic was named the quarterbacks coach at Susquehanna in 2008 and spent three seasons under head coach Steve Briggs. He was part of the 2009 Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year and helped SU claim the 2009 Liberty League Championship. In 2011, Lydic was named the offensive coordinator at Misericordia University and spent six months there, assisting with decisions for the new program, such as uniform design, offensive installation, and program culture, prior to the Cougars' inaugural season in 2012.
Lydic resides in Espy with his wife, the former Sarah Ritter, and their two sons.
Updated: March 9, 2021
