What Is 2017 Lehigh Mountain Hawks football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Lehigh Mountain Hawks football team represented Lehigh University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 5–6 record under head coach Andy Coen. They competed in the Patriot League and went 3–3 in conference play.

Key Facts

The 2017 Lehigh Mountain Hawks finished the season with a 5–6 overall record
They were 3–3 in Patriot League play during the 2017 season
Head coach Andy Coen led the team for the 11th consecutive season in 2017
Lehigh played their home games at Goodman Stadium in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
The team's starting quarterback in 2017 was Brad Mayes

Overview

The 2017 Lehigh Mountain Hawks football team represented Lehigh University during the 2017 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Patriot League, the team was led by head coach Andy Coen in his 11th year at the helm.

Playing their home games at Goodman Stadium in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the Mountain Hawks aimed for a Patriot League title but fell short of postseason qualification. Despite a competitive schedule, they finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–3 mark in conference play.

Head coach Andy Coen led the program in 2017, marking his 11th season guiding the Mountain Hawks with a career record of 77–62 at Lehigh by season’s end.
Quarterback Brad Mayes started most games in 2017, throwing for 2,228 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 59.2% of his passes.
Goodman Stadium, with a capacity of 16,000, served as the home venue for Lehigh and hosted key conference matchups during the 2017 season.
The team’s overall record stood at 5–6, including non-conference losses to FBS opponent Buffalo and FCS power Villanova.
In Patriot League play, Lehigh went 3–3, defeating Lafayette, Colgate, and Georgetown while losing to archrival Lehigh, Bucknell, and Holy Cross.

How It Works

The 2017 Lehigh Mountain Hawks football season operated within the structure of NCAA Division I FCS rules and the Patriot League’s competitive framework. Each game contributed to both overall and conference standings, with implications for postseason eligibility.

Regular Season: The 2017 campaign spanned 11 games from September 2 to November 18. Each contest followed standard FCS regulations and scoring rules.
Patriot League Membership: As a member since 1990, Lehigh competed against six other teams, with the league champion earning an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.
Home Games: Lehigh hosted six games at Goodman Stadium, a venue that has been their home since 1986 and features FieldTurf and permanent seating.
Recruiting & Roster: The 2017 roster included 104 players, with 23 seniors and 13 starters returning from the 2016 team that went 8–3.
Offensive Scheme: The team ran a pro-style offense under offensive coordinator Kevin Cahill, emphasizing balanced run-pass attacks and short-yardage efficiency.
Defensive Strategy: Lehigh utilized a 4–2–5 base defense in 2017, designed to counter spread offenses and improve pass coverage against conference rivals.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Lehigh Mountain Hawks compared to key Patriot League rivals in overall and conference performance:

Team	Overall Record	Patriot League Record	Head Coach	Postseason Result
Lehigh	5–6	3–3	Andy Coen	No postseason
Lafayette	3–8	2–4	John Garrett	No postseason
Colgate	5–6	4–2	Dan Hunt	No postseason
Holy Cross	6–5	5–1	Tom Gilmore	No postseason
Lehigh vs. Holy Cross	Lost 35–14	Game on 11/4/17	At Goodman Stadium	Key conference loss

This table highlights that while Lehigh had a similar overall record to Colgate, they lagged in conference wins. Holy Cross dominated the league with a 5–1 record but did not qualify for the FCS playoffs due to tiebreakers. Lehigh’s head-to-head loss to Holy Cross proved pivotal in the standings.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was significant for Lehigh as it marked the end of an era under Andy Coen, who resigned after the season due to health concerns. It also reflected broader trends in FCS competitiveness and recruiting challenges.

Transition in Leadership: Andy Coen’s departure after 11 seasons led to the hiring of Tom Gilmore, previously head coach at Holy Cross, in December 2017.
Rivalry Impact: Lehigh defeated Lafayette 21–14 in the 153rd meeting of The Rivalry, one of college football’s oldest and most storied matchups.
Recruiting Challenges: Competing against FBS programs for talent, Lehigh relied heavily on in-state and mid-Atlantic recruits to fill roster gaps.
Academic Balance: As a Division I FCS program at a selective university, Lehigh emphasized academic performance alongside athletic competitiveness.
Stadium Legacy: Goodman Stadium continues to host the annual Lehigh-Lafayette game, drawing over 10,000 fans despite modest national exposure.
Program Trajectory: The 2017 season underscored the need for improved defense and special teams, areas targeted in subsequent coaching changes.

Ultimately, the 2017 season served as a transitional chapter for Lehigh football, bridging a long-tenured coach’s legacy with the future direction of the program under new leadership.