Haege has been named head coach of Cornell’s inaugural women’s flag football team in August 2026.
Haege carries four decades of football coaching experience, including 15 years as head coach at Augsburg University from 2005-19. He currently serves as a defensive assistant on Cornell’s football staff.
“I’m super excited to bring my experience and enthusiasm to the Cornell College flag football program,” Haege said. “I look forward to working with the campus community and future players as we build our program. Flag is an emerging NCAA sport which I’m excited to be a part of.”
Haege will lead Cornell’s 21st varsity sport into its first competition season in Spring 2027. The Rams are actively recruiting players to round out their initial roster.
“Coach Haege’s extensive experience as a head coach and developing successful new programs make him a great fit for this position,” Cornell Director of Athletics Jeff Meeker said. “With his leadership, we are excited for the future of women’s flag football at Cornell.”
A native of Virginia, Minn., Haege is no stranger to building programs at all levels. He was the first head coach of the Quad City Steamwheelers, leading the team to back-to-back Arena Football League championships in 2000 and 2001. The Steamwheelers fashioned a near-perfect 37-1 record in Haege’s two seasons at the helm.
In 2021, Haege co-founded the Supreme League Flag Football, based in Tiffin, Iowa, that currently holds 34 teams. Additionally, in 2025 Haege started the Supreme Girls Flag Football League which has grown to 50-plus participants.
Haege was named head coach of the New Jersey (later named Las Vegas) Gladiators in 2002, inheriting a 2-12 team and leading it to the second round of the AFL playoffs. He coached three seasons for the Gladiators, which included another playoff appearance.
In 15 seasons heading Augsburg’s program, Haege produced 65 all-conference players, 18 all-region performers and seven all-Americans.
Haege held previous assistant coaching roles at Bemidji State (1992-95), Augsburg (1996-98) Solon High School (2021-22, 2024-25) and Cornell (2023). While in the AFL, he also assisted the Milwaukee Mustangs (1994), Minnesota Fighting Pike (1996) and the New Jersey Red Dogs (1997-99).
