Penn State University has appointed Savon Huggins as the new running backs coach for its football program, transitioning from his previous position at Boston College. This hiring comes as part of a broader effort to enhance the coaching staff ahead of the upcoming season, which begins in 2026.
Huggins, a native of Jackson, New Jersey, brings a wealth of experience from his four years at Boston College, where he significantly impacted the running game. In the 2025 season, sophomore running back Turbo Richard recorded a career-best 749 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, alongside 30 receptions for 213 yards. Senior Jordan McDonald also demonstrated his capabilities, contributing 397 rushing yards and four touchdowns over the season.
Boston College’s running game thrived under Huggins’ guidance, achieving a total of 2,163 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2023 season. This performance included an impressive average of 4.1 yards per carry. Notably, former running back Kye Robichaux led the team with 744 rushing yards, marking the highest performance by a BC running back since the all-time leading rusher A.J. Dillon in 2019.
During his time at BC, Huggins played a crucial role in the development of players like Pat Garwo III, who earned All-ACC Second Team honors and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in a season for the first time in program history. In 2021, Garwo ranked as the No. 4 rusher in the Atlantic Coast Conference, showcasing Huggins’ ability to cultivate talent.
Before his tenure at Boston College, Huggins began his coaching career at Somerville High School in New Jersey, where he was part of a team that achieved a remarkable 32-3 record and won a state title in 2017. He also completed a fellowship with the Miami Dolphins, which provided him with insight into professional coaching techniques. His journey into college football began in 2020 as a wide receivers coach at the University of Buffalo.
The recent changes at Boston College come after head coach Bill O’Brien made significant adjustments to his coaching staff, which included the dismissal of defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and offensive line coach Matt Applebaum. Alongside the hiring of Kenyatta Watson as the program’s new general manager, the Eagles are now focused on restructuring their coaching strategies for the future.
Huggins’ appointment at Penn State marks an exciting chapter for both him and the program as they look to build on past successes and develop new talent for the upcoming seasons. With a strong background in player development and a proven track record in rushing offense, Huggins is poised to make a significant impact at Penn State.
