WASHINGTON (July 30, 2018) – Head Coach Mike London and the Howard University Football team welcomed former Rutgers and UMass standout EJ Barthel as their new running back and player development coach.
 
"I am extremely excited to join Mike London and his staff at Howard," said Barthel. "I have a wealth of experience and knowledge, as a player and coach while learning from some of the best coaches in country. I'm thrilled to learn from Coach London and help these young men become successful student-athletes on and off the field."
 
Last season, Barthel coached at Albany in the same role where he was responsible for recruiting top running backs throughout the nation.
 
Before joining the Great Danes, he served as a recruiting coordinator for the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 campaign. In his only season, Barthel helped the program secure the nation's No. 5 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.
 
Barthel also had roles with Temple, Director of On-Campus Recruiting and Player Personnel (2016), and Rutgers, Director of Recruiting (2015) and a Player Development Volunteer (2014).
 
"I'm pleased to announce the addition of EJ Barthel to our very talented staff," said London. "EJ has worked at FBS schools where he was instrumental in their very successful recruiting efforts. He will also implement player development plans for our student athletes, which is dedicated to a successful transition from the playing field to off-the-field opportunities."
 
As a fullback, he played three seasons for the Scarlett Knights (2003-05) before wrapping up his collegiate career for the Minutemen (2006-07). Barthel graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
 
He was a standout running back for Becton Regional High School in East Rutherford, N.J., and he coached in the high school ranks at DePaul Catholic High School (2012) and Bergen Catholic (2013).
 
Barthel rounds out Howard's 2018 coaching staff. Kenny Lucas, formerly the program's running back and special teams coach, has been promoted to HU's Director of Football Operations, a position previously held by Bryce Bevill, who recently accepted a position as an Athletic Director at Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria, Va.).
 
"I'm appreciative of Coach [Kenny] Lucas in his new role and grateful to have worked with Bryce Bevill," Coach London added. "We wish him well."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.