By MONTE DUTTON
Presbyterian College announced the results of its “nationwide search” on Monday morning.
Matt Rahl is the choice of Director of Athletics Dee Nichols – one would think with the advice and consent of select others – to succeed Steve Englehart as head football coach of the Blue Hose.
As it turns out, the search was of the Blue Hose Nation, and it will be next Monday, Jan. 5, at 1 p.m. until Rahl can reach Templeton Center from … elsewhere in Clinton and the nation beyond.
Rahl, who has been an assistant coach for 24 years, has been Englehart’s offensive-line coach, run-game coordinator and offensive recruiting coordinator for the latter two of Englehart’s four seasons as head coach. The Blue Hose are 16-8 since Rahl joined the staff.
“We are proud to welcome our new head coach to the PC family, even though he is no stranger to the program,” said Nichols. “Matt has been an integral part of our success over the last two seasons. He is an individual who values character, accountability and team culture as much as wins on the field.
“Matt’s commitment to our student-athletes, our college and our community makes him the right leader at the right time for Blue Hose Football. We believe he will lead the team to continued success and we are greatly looking forward to this program’s future.”
“Coach Rahl will continue Blue Hose Football’s winning tradition with a focus on his players’ academic excellence and character development,” added PC President Dr. Anita Gustafson. “He is the right man to take the helm of our football program, and I am excited about the future of Blue Hose football.”
The Blue Hose set a single-season school record with 2,124 rushing yards as the Blue Hose achieved their third-ever 10-win campaign. Presbyterian reached as high as 16th in the American Football Coaches Association Poll, an all-time best.
Rahl expressed his gratitude for the new post, which makes him Presbyterian’s 18th head coach.
“I cannot wait to get back to campus with our team and begin to work [toward] our goals. Go Blue Hose! Win Today!”
The Blue Hose won their final four contests of the 2024 season by an average of 18 points per game, carrying that momentum to a 7-0 start the following year. PC was included in both the AFCA and Stats Perform rankings simultaneously for six consecutive weeks, the longest stretch for any team in the Pioneer Football League since 2009. The team’s 10-2 record left them in a tie for second in the PFL behind Drake University of Des Moines, Iowa.
PC rushed for 26 touchdowns last season, ranking 16th in FCS with an average of 34 points per game. The Blue Hose produced 417 total yards per game (27th nationally) and ranked inside the FCS top 30 in fewest sacks allowed.
Eleven Presbyterian players were voted all-conference last month with six on the offensive side.
PC went undefeated at Bailey Memorial Stadium last fall. Dating back to 2024, Presbyterian has won eight in a row on its home turf.
Englehart is now head coach at West Georgia University in Carrollton.
Prior to joining the staff at PC, Rahl spent four seasons at his alma mater, Missouri Southern State University, where he was the Associate Head Coach and offensive coordinator.
He has also spent time on the staffs of Texas El Paso, McKendree (Lebanon, Ill.), Wyoming, Winona (Minn.) State and his alma mater, Missouri Southern State in Joplin, where he played tight end.
The Union, Mo., native and wife, Carrie, have three children: Hattie, Maggie and Locke.
The Clinton High girls’ basketball team got back on the winning track Monday with a 45-39 victory over the Lucy Beckham Bengals (4-4) of Mount Pleasant in the Carolina Invitational in Charleston.
The Red Devils take a 13-1 record into Tuesday’s 2:30 game against C.A. Johnson (1-8) of Columbia. Saluda (3-3) visits Clinton for a 4 p.m. game on Saturday.
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