John Lizak enters his 14th year as the Offensive Line Coach for the football program at the University of Chicago in the 2025-26 academic year.
Lizak coached the Maroons from 2010 to 2022 before leaving to coach North Park in 2023 and 2024. During his time in the CCIW, Lizak helped elevate North Park into a competitive force within one of the nation’s most challenging Division III conferences.
In 2024, North Park’s offensive line powered a nationally ranked passing attack (24th with 2,813 yards), enabling senior quarterback Matt Eck to set program records with 2,732 passing yards (12th nationally), 26 touchdowns (24th nationally), and 273.2 passing yards per game (13th nationally), while maintaining a 64% completion rate. The line helped Eck tie the program’s all-time TD record, and Offensive Tackle Josh De Luca earned 2nd Team All-CCIW—the program's first OL all-conference honor since 2018. The Vikings posted their second straight five-win season, finishing with 3,514 total yards and 35 touchdowns—one of the most dynamic offensive campaigns in Division III.
In 2023, Lizak's offensive line helped anchor North Park’s most successful season in over 50 years, again earning five wins. They supported quarterback Matt Eck’s career-best season, including 19 touchdowns and 223.1 passing yards per game, fueling an offense that generated 3,196 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Before his time at North Park, Lizak spent 13 seasons (2010–2022) at the University of Chicago as Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator. During that span, the Maroons went 77-43 (.641), their best winning percentage in the modern era. UChicago won two UAA championships (2010, 2014) and earned UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors both seasons.
Lizak developed 18 offensive linemen who earned 43 All-Conference honors across three leagues (UAA, SAA, MWC):
- 27 All-UAA, 12 All-MWC, and 4 All-SAA selections
- 9 First Team All-UAA, 9 First Team All-MWC, and 2 First Team All-SAA nods
- Three players earned D3football.com All-Region recognition, including John Tabash and Doug Barkauski (each three-time First Team selections)
The 2022 offense averaged 37.3 points per game, with RB Nicholas D’Ambrose ranking among the nation’s best: 1,095 rushing yards (7th-most in school history), 14.2 PPG (2nd nationally), and 136.9 YPG (5th). D’Ambrose also ranked top 15 nationally in TDs and all-purpose yards, as the rushing attack ranked 17th nationally (225.4 YPG). OT Yale Hardberger was named Third Team All-Region.
The 2021 Maroons broke six single-season, three single-game, and seven individual school records. D’Ambrose led the nation with 1,714 rushing yards and set program records in rushing TDs (20), points (120), and yards per carry (7.4). The offense ranked top 10 nationally in third-down conversions (.566), total offense (518 YPG), rushing offense (309.4 YPG), and scoring (48.0 PPG).
In 2019, UChicago’s offense was 12th in third-down conversions and 27th in rushing (225.4 YPG), averaging 30.3 PPG. Center Doug Barkauski was named Third Team All-Region. The offense averaged 5.2 yards per carry with a 61.7% pass completion rate.
The 2018 offense set a school record for points in a season (365) and modern-era single-game scoring (63 vs. Beloit), finishing 7th nationally in red zone offense. QB Jeffrey Jackson set a school record with a 64.5% completion rate.
In 2017, the offensive line cleared the way for Chandler Carroll, who became the school’s all-time leader in career touchdowns (46), rushing TDs (37), points (276), and rushing attempts (859).
The historic 2016 season saw the Maroons break 10 team and 11 individual records. The line protected QB Burke Moser (3,766 yards, 2nd nationally) and opened lanes for Carroll’s second consecutive 1,000-yard season (1,077).
In 2015, UChicago’s offensive line helped produce the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 19 years and a single-game rushing record (305 yards by Carroll).
Lizak also coached record-setting QBs Burke Moser and Marshall Oium, who combined to break 15 school records.
Before UChicago, Lizak coached the offensive line at Elmhurst College for nine seasons. He helped transform the program from 2-8 in 2001 to five seasons of six or more wins, including a 7-3 season—the program’s best since 1981—and a signature win over Wheaton College. His 2004 OL unit earned D3football.com Team of the Week honors. Lizak mentored four All-CCIW linemen and coached two Honorable Mention All-Americans (Andrew Cook and Andy Brogan in 2005).
He co-authored the Coaches Choice instructional DVD Pass Pro Fundamentals and has been a featured speaker at clinics such as the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater OL/DL Clinic, SGS College (UK) Clinic, CPS Football Clinic, and others.
A 1995 graduate of North Central College, Lizak earned All-CCIW honors as an offensive lineman in 1994 and holds a degree in finance.
