Roanoke College announced Monday that Bryan Stinespring will be the new head coach for the Maroons football program, which the school is rebuilding after a hiatus of more than 80 years. Stinespring, previously the associate head football coach and offensive assistant at Virginia Military Institute, brings more than 30 years of Virginia coaching experience to the role, including 26 years under legendary coach Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech.
"We are very fortunate to get a person with Coach Stinespring’s background and experience,” said Athletics Director Curtis Campbell. “He is a Virginia native and has established relationships with high school and college coaches throughout the state. Coach Stinespring has name recognition in southwest Virginia, and that will be very important with getting our first recruiting class and establishing our program. We have a great group of coaches on staff, and he will be a welcomed addition.”
During a news conference on campus at Cregger Center, Stinespring said he is eager to bring his experience to bear for the Maroons.
“It is an honor and a privilege to stand before you as the head football coach of Roanoke College,” he said. “Roanoke has been a second home for me for a long time. So, when I look out and see the familiarity of faces here, it means a lot to me. I want to thank President Shushok, Curtis, this administration and this college for giving me this opportunity.”
Roanoke College hasn’t had a football team since 1942, when it was forced to disband the program because of the constraints of World War II. This summer, Roanoke College announced it had raised $1.3 million to support the return of football and add co-curricular varsity cheerleading and marching band programs.
“Bringing back Maroon football, along with marching band and competitive cheer, will open new doors at Roanoke College, attracting a wider range of students and fostering community spirit and fun in the Roanoke Valley, a region with a deep passion for football,” said Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr. "Coach Stinespring’s proven track record as a recruiter and coach, combined with his deep relationships in the region and across the commonwealth, make him an ideal leader to build a successful football program at Roanoke College. During the interview process, it became clear that in addition to his athletics credentials, Coach Stinespring has the heart of an educator, viewing football as a leadership laboratory – a perfect fit for our Division III ethos.”
