Walter Kusmirek joined the New Haven coaching staff in the Spring of 2020 and leads the top ranked offensive line in the Northeast-10.
Under his leadership, New Haven’s offensive line has been ranked in the top 50 in the nation scoring offense and total offense all three seasons, while they have had the No. 1 scoring and total offense in the Northeast-10 in 2022 and 2023. In addition, the offensive line has been ranked top 50 in the nation in sacks allowed, including this past season when they finished ninth in the nation with an average of just 0.82 sacks allowed per game, while they were also No. 3 in the nation in total tackles for loss allowed at 3.55 per game.
Individually, seven different players under his tutelage have been named to Northeast-10 All-Conference teams a total of 10 times. Highlight the postseason honors is Michael Zecchin who was named NE10 Offensive Lineman of the Year and is one of four players to earn NE10 All-Conference First Team honors under Kusmirek. Included in that group is Xavier Bryson who has earned first team distinction following back-to-back seasons. In addition, Zecchin and Williams Ayers have each earned regional distinction with Ayers earning the honor from the D2CCA and Zecchin tabbed All-New England by the New England Football Writers Association.
Kusmirek comes to New Haven following a four-season stint at Wagner College where he would with he tight ends before taking over as the JV Head Coach in 2017 and serving as the Co-Special Teams Coordinator for his final two seasons in 2018 and 2019.
During his first two years at Wagner, he helped coach a pair of All-Conference tight ends, while one also led the team in touchdown receptions while being named a CoSIDA Academic All-American off the field. As co-special team’s coordinator, he helped coach a kick returner who closed out the season ranked No. 18 in all of NCAA Division I FCS with an average of 26.0 yards per return. While at Wagner, Kusmirek also earned a Master of Art in higher education, leadership organization in 2018.
Prior to his time on Staten Island, Kusmirek spent two years at Morrisville State College in Morrisville, N.Y. While with the Mustangs, he served as running backs coach, JV head coach, return game coordinator, as well as strength and conditioning coordinator, in addition to serving as assistant video coordinator.
During his two seasons at Morrisville, the Mustangs went a combined 15-7 and were the New Jersey Athletic Conference co-champions in 2014, finishing with a 9-2 record that was capped with a victory in the ECAC North Central Bowl.  Morrisville State ranked among the top 20 nationally that season in three major statistical categories, ranking fifth in third-down percentage and 13th in both total offense and rushing offense.
In his second season at Morrisville, the Mustangs led the Empire 8 conference in both total offense and rushing offense. Off the field, Kusmirek played an integral role in successfully recruiting the largest freshman class in school history.
Kusmirek arrived at Morrisville State after getting his break in the coaching ranks in 2013 at Maine Maritime Academy where he served as strong safeties and outside linebackers coach. While at Maine Maritime, he also assisted with all facets of special teams, including short-snappers and kickers.
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Prior to joining the Mariners’ staff, Kusmirek spent three seasons lettering for Fitchburg State University (MA) as an offensive lineman, appearing in over 20 games and starting 16. Twice during his career, he earned New England Football Conference All-Academic Team accolades. He graduated cum laude with his Bachelors of Science degree in history and secondary education.
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