Photo Credit: Coach Hulk’s X Bio

Defensive Line Coach, Graduate Assitant, student of the game, and all around service first person Rick Istvan does many things for AIC Football and has a strong background in this sport. He brings a strength in his personality, ability to connect with his players. He has lived his life as a servant for others , as a paramedic and coach along with a semi-pro football playing career. He is known as Coach Hulk and brings an enthusiasm to State Street that is vital for a young AIC team looking to take the next step forward this year.

Coach Hulk on what inspired him to coach this year at AIC:

“What inspires me to coach at AIC is the ability to be part of a young growing program. AIC has a history of being great and winning championships and I want to be a part of helping them return to greatness.”

What is the theme of the 2024 recruiting class?

“The theme of this recruiting class, for me has been culture. I think the entire staff would say that as well. We are trying to build a winning culture here at AIC and I believe we recruited guys that fit that mold. We have a One Hive One Family mentality and we want to see that in future Yellow Jackets.”

How has the culture of the team changed in the last two years and what part do coaches have in that?

“ I think the philosophy of family, team, and we over I and me and has a big part of what we are trying to do moving forward. We have a lot of young guys who are talented and are finding their way. In order to get them to where we want them to be we need to be transformational coaches over transitional coaches. Meaning we can’t only pump them up when they are doing good. We have to raise them up when they make mistakes. Just if they do something good, we have to make sure they remain humble and keep the ego checked. I believe if one guy on the DL makes a mistake, we all made that mistake. If he makes a play, we all made that play. So it has to be a culture of support, and mutual respect.”

What does Coach Hulk like about coaching his defensive lineman

“My favorite things about coaching my group is their ambition. They want to win. They want to learn, and they want to be great. So they are willing to put in the effort and make the sacrifices to do that. We also have a very close knit group who support each other and keep other moving forward. So I like their desire to be great. I ask them are you willing, or are you just able? Meaning I know you are able to get up early to work out. I know you are able to do your homework. I know you are able to study the playbook. You are able to do all those things but are you willing to? And they are not only willing to, but they do it very passionately. I am blessed to have such a talented, passionate and dedicated group of guys in my DL room.”

Who are some of the under the radar guys ( often referred to as grit guys ) that you think are going to have a big season ahead?

“ I think Ben Lazo is going to have a big year. He worked hard in the off season and he worked hard in spring ball. So I look forward to doing big things. But the reality is we have a lot of guys like Jah Jacobs, Chance Jeffers, Josh Isaacs, Eric Jennings, and Nevin Earl who are all more than capable of being contributors and making a big impact on this team and this defense. So I think they are all capable of having a bigger role and being successful with that responsibility.”

Talk about how the staff is lead together by Coach Chipka

“This staff is amazing. I am very honored to be part of such a great staff. We are all passionate and dedicated to this team and this sport and it shows. We work very well together and we are always communicating. We spend many long days preparing and it is going to show. I think preparation is a huge component of who Coach Chipka is and it is contagious. He is a very hard worker, motivated, structured, detail oriented and just an overall great guy. I am honored to be able to coach and learn under him and he has us prepared as a coaching staff to go out there this season and bring AIC back to the tip of the NE10, where we should be.”

Here more from Coach Hulk on the turnaround he has seen:

“Since I have been here I have seen this program make strides and do a 180. I think that with the staff we have and the returning and new players we are getting AIC football is going to be a whole new breed. Not only did we re-vamp our logo, but I believe the team also has a fresh new look as well and that is a look of a championship program. AIC is Always In Contention and we are going to prove that this season. We might not win it all this year, but you are going to know you played us and we will win a championship sooner than later. These players are a great group of guys and they want to win. They are a talented group and winners in every aspect of the word. Every day during stretch I go around and dap everyone up and say “It’s a great day to be great.” I might be a defensive coach but at the end of the day we are all One Hive One Family. So, offense or defense I am going to give guys respect, I am going to care about them and I am going to do everything I can to help them be successful on and off the field. I might be the defensive line coach, but I am a coach. So whether you are a freshman or senior, the QB, DB, or OL, I am going to coach you and help you in any way that I can. If you don’t leave here better than when you got here I didn’t do my job.”

As Coach Hulk works through setting up visits for the 2025 class he did mention a key piece for recruits to keep in mind.

“One of the biggest things I look at first and foremost is GPA. Ironically that is also the same thing that will take a player off the board as well. If I see you have a good GPA, that will allow me to continue to recruit you. If your GPA isn’t good then I know you most likely won’t be eligible through the NCAA. With that said even if you have a good GPA, I need to see you have good character and good morals. So I will look at what you are posting on social media as well as how you present yourself. As I said we are building a culture here and if you don’t meet that standard then we will find someone who will.”

Donate: To help us cover more games and tell more stories not found elsewhere about all of college sports, especially under represented athletes everywhere across the college sports landscape like unique untold stories across college hockey. Please click the below link and consider donating what you can. If you do, I will list you in every story we write as a supporter of crowd-funded journalism that can truly be free for all at this link. 

Donate