Rick “Coach Hulk” Istvan enters his first season as an assistant coach, coaching the Defensive Line.
Before arriving at ECSU, Istvan served as the Defensive Line Coach and recruiting coordinator at American International College (AIC) during the 2024 season helping the Yellow Jackets improve their win total. Istvan guided Michael Grant to a Northeast 10 First Team All-Conference selection.
Prior to AIC, he was the Defensive Line Coach for Sprint Football at Quincy University for two seasons (2022-23). Under his leadership, the Hawks ranked in the top-two in the Midwest Sprint Football League (MSFL). Coach Istvan coached Bryce Vaught to First Team All-American status in 2023 after being named Second Team All-MSFL in 2022.
Before starting his collegiate coaching career, Istvan served as the Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line coach for the semi-pro Connecticut Falcons in the East Coast Football League (ECFL) for a season (2022). Istvan helped the Falcons reach the ECFL Championship Game and earn an invitation for the National Championship.
Coach Hulk spent one season as an intern for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL) working with NFLPA Certified Agent, Sean Stellato.
In 2020, Istvan worked with the New England Bearcats in the New England Football League (NEFL) as an assistant defensive coordinator, churning out the top defense in the league on the way to a NEFL Championship and undefeated season in the team’s inaugural season. The Bearcats’ success earned the staff NEFL Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
Istvan also coached for the Northeast Empire (2018) and New England Timberwolves (2016-18) as the defensive line coach, picking up NEFL All-Star Game selections as a coach.
Coach Istvan was instrumental in launching two football programs, serving as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach during their inaugural seasons. Earlier in his coaching journey, he was the Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Defensive Line Coach for the Milford Eagles youth football program.
Istvan started his playing career at the University of Miami, before an injury shifted his focus to the Arena Football League and semi-pro football, where he earned All-Star game selections and won a championship.
In high school, Istvan played for Coach Ken Walker at Joseph A. Foran HS, winning the only state title in school history during the 1994 season. The team was later inducted into the Milford (Conn.) Sports Hall of Fame.
The Milford, Conn. earned his bachelor’s degree in General Studies with a concentration in Sport Management from Quincy University. Istvan is currently pursuing his master’s in Business Administration through American International College.
