The architect of Presbyterian College Football’s best season in many years, Steve Englehart, described the past season in an appearance last Monday at PC.
In the Templeton Center, Englehart who was named the AFCA National Coach of the Year after a 10-2 season said, “It is something special to be voted National Coach of the Year for one reason and one reason only because it’s voted on by your colleagues and your peers. It’s voted on by every single FCS coach in the country, so the fact that other coaches at the FCA level recognized what our players did on the field and what our assistant coaches did to mold and develop these player is really, to me, the real award.
“It has very little to do with me; it has a lot to do with what our players do on the field; it has a lot to do with our coaches and our assistants and how they pour into our players.”
Two days after that appearance, the following statement was released by Presbyterian College Director of Athletics Dee Nichols:
“Steve Englehart has informed me that he has accepted the head coaching position at another university.
“Coach Englehart led one of the most memorable seasons in our history, and we’re grateful for the foundation he built at PC. This season – and the players and staff who created so many special moments – will always be part of our story. His leadership reached far beyond football as a trusted colleague and outstanding ambassador for PC. While we’ll miss him, we’re excited about the future because of the standard he set for this program.”
“Englehart posted a 21-25 overall record in four seasons with the Blue Hose. In 2025, PC acquired 10 wins for the third time in school history.
“A national search is underway to determine the next head football coach at Presbyterian College. An update will be provided once the search concludes.”
The University of West Georgia on Thursday conducted an introduction for Englehart as its new football coach. He replaces Joel Taylor, who on Dec. 11 stepped down to take the head coaching job at Mercer. Taylor was 12-10 in 2 seasons with 8 wins in 2025, and he was Mercer’s defensive cooridnator in 2020-2023.
The West Georgia announcement was made by Director of Athletics Jason Carmichael.
The announcement said, “A proven program builder with championship success across multiple levels of college football, Englehart comes to Carrollton following his most successful season as a head coach at Presbyterian College, culminating in his selection as the 2025 AFCA FCS National Coach of the Year.
“‘Steve Englehart is exactly the kind of leader we were looking for at this moment in UWG Football,’ Carmichael said. ‘He has built winning programs from the ground up, developed student-athletes on and off the field, and sustained success over a long coaching career. His vision, discipline, and experience align perfectly with where we are headed as a program and as a university.’”
“Englehart brings 15 seasons over 17 years of head coaching experience to West Georgia, most recently leading Presbyterian College to a historic 10-win campaign in 2025. Over his career, he has compiled a 91–74 record, turning multiple programs into consistent winners.
“‘I could not be more excited to join the University of West Georgia,’ Englehart said. ‘From my earliest conversations with President Dr. Michael Johnson and Jason Carmichael, it was clear there is an alignment here that is built for long-term success. My family and I are thrilled to become part of the UWG community, and I cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes.’”
An FBS program competing in the Atlantic Sun Conference, West Georgia has scheduled 2026 games against neighboring Kennesaw State and Arkansas State, a 2027 game against Cincinnati, a 2028 match-up against Troy, and a 2029 visit to Auburn.
Despite the fact that he is moving on, Nichols said Englehart has been a great ambassador for Presbyterian College.
“It is a special day for PC as we recognize the National Coach of the Year, Coach Steve Englehart. I’ll tell you a secret, he is really uncomfortable with all this. For someone who leads such a big program and is so genuine and works hard on his relationships with all of us, he really doesn’t necessarily like having all of this attention. But I told him, ‘It’s your day.’
“From the minute coach he came to our campus he had a vision for the PC football program and what that was going to be. He built the staff that aligned with that vision. He invested in relationships with so many of us who are here and challenged our student athletes to compete with discipline and pride. That speaks to Coach E’s leadership - ‘Pull the Rope’ - that’s his philosophy. Lead by example and with unwavering commitment to our program and to our players. He is definitely a valued colleague and a wonderful ambassador for our school. We are incredibly proud and excited for him, for what is ahead.”
Englehart, whose first, transfer-portal-ravaged PC squad went 1-10 on the season, said, “We did have a vision when we came here (four years ago), and it was about relationships; and it was about not just relationships with the team but building that process - school pride and PC pride - and if you could get it done with the team and the individuals on the team, we knew that would spill over to the university, and it would spill over to the community, and that is what it has done.”
Englehart stressed that the AFCA National Coach of the Year recognition is a team award (players also were recognized for a 10-2 mark as PC Football had the most all-conference selection, it has ever had). It is special because it brings some recognition to Clinton, South Carolina, and Presbyterian College and our Athletic Department. I am really excited about what our team did this year but also what the team will do in the years to come. I appreciate the other coaches, the administration, the community, and the former coaches - Bob Strock comes to see me every week, win or lose, and gives me a hug and tells me he loves me. Thats more important than any award.”
