Presbyterian College tabs new football coach to replace Kevin Kelley
.jpg "Steve Englehart is the new head football coach at Presbyterian College")
Presbyterian College has its new head football coach.
The school announced on Tuesday that former Florida Tech and Rose-Hulman head coach Steve Englehart has been hired to replace Kevin Kelley as the head coach of the Blue Hose.
“We set out to find an experienced and principled leader who will elevate PC football in a manner consistent with the college’s mission and purpose,” Presbyterian director of athletics Rob Acunto said in a news release. “Steve’s head coaching experience, consummate professionalism, vision for the program, and proven ability to connect with players, alumni, and members of the community are just some of the many attributes that will allow him to elevate the football program.”
Englehart was twice named the Gulf South Coach of the Year, coached two teams to the NCAA Division II Playoffs and compiled a 70-49 record as a head coach.
The former Indiana State standout previously helped start the program at Florida Tech in 2011. Englehart notched a 44-35 record with the Panthers over seven seasons, though the team was disbanded in 2020 over financial implications related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to Florida Tech, Englehart was hired as the youngest coach in the NCAA in 2006 at Rose-Hulman in Terre-Haute, Indiana. He led the Fightin’ Engineers to four consecutive seasons with six or more wins for the first time in program history. Rose-Hulman’s 7-3 record in 2007 also marked the best finish for the team since 1994.
Englehart spent the 2010 season as the offensive coordinator at Indiana State, helping the Sycamores to the 14th best scoring output in the nation with a school record 351 points.
“We will have young men that compete to win in the classroom and on the football field,” he said in a news release. “Our staff will provide stability and will be committed to providing a product that the alumni of PC and the Clinton community will be proud of. I can’t wait to get started.”
Englehart takes for Kelley — who departed Presbyterian after just one season in charge. Kelley, who previously worked as the head coach at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas, brought a high-flying offense predicated on analytics and a rare belief in punting.
Kelley announced his resignation from Presbyterian on Dec. 4 in order to pursue other football opportunities.
“I am so appreciative of Presbyterian College President Matthew vandenBerg and AD Rob Acunto for the opportunity that I had and for all the support I was given,” Kelley wrote in a statement via Twitter. “I am so thankful to the coaches, players, staff and my family as well.”
The Blue Hose finished the 2021 season 2-9, but ranked No. 1 in the FCS in passing and No. 3 in total offense. Presbyterian also scored at least 40 points in four of its 11 games and won its first two games by a combined score of 152-46.
Kelley was hired to replace Tommy Spangler last year. Spangler, then in his second run as the head coach in Clinton, finished his return with a 12-29 record over four seasons.
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 1:03 PM.
