Championship coach Curt Newsome has passed away at age 67. The veteran leader mentored athletes at Virginia Tech and James Madison for decades.

The date and cause of his passing have not been confirmed yet. 

“Former Virginia Tech, James Madison, and Emory & Henry football coach Curt Newsome has tragically passed away. Rest in Peace,” CFB Alerts posted on May 31 in an X post. 

His career spanned decades across college and high school. Newsome coached Emory & Henry for a decade from 2014 to 2023. An alumnus of the program, he served as their 20th head coach. 

He held a 53-42 record, and in his first season with the program, the Emory & Henry Wasps finished 8-2. For that, Newsome earned the ODAC title, and he was named ODAC Coach of the Year. 

Newsome wasn’t just a coach who trained athletes. He transformed the program altogether. Under his guidance, the Wasps moved from Division III to Division II and the South Atlantic Conference. During this transition, the Wasps clinched five back-to-back seasons. 

94 of his players earned all-conference honors, WSLS reported. 

“Newsome served Emory & Henry with distinction, guiding the football program through a significant period in its history while exemplifying the values of commitment, integrity, and service that define the University,” the Wasps eulogized in a statement on May 31.

Newsome had coached at James Madison University for eight years. His first stint came between 1999-05, and he later returned in 2013. He served as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach, the same position he held at the end of his previous stint with the Dukes.

He coached the Dukes into winning the 2004 FCS National Championship. 

His influence stretched across the Virginia football landscape.

Curt Newsome’s Career On The Collegiate Level And Beyond

He had spent 15 years at the Division I level before taking over Emory & Henry.

Before he took over the Wasps, he coached at Virginia Tech for seven seasons. Newsome was in charge of the Virginia Tech Hokies’ offensive line under Frank Beamer. He helped the program win ACC titles three times consecutively. They were winners in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

“A respected leader at Virginia Tech, James Madison, Emory & Henry & across Virginia high school football, Coach Newsome devoted his life to mentoring student-athletes & building championship programs,” the Hokies wrote in an Instagram post on May 30. 

Before coaching at the collegiate level, Newsome was a formidable high school coach for over 16 years. He was a five-time district Coach of the Year and was the Eastern Region Coach of the Year on three occasions. Newsome was selected as the AP and VHSL Virginia State Coach of the Year in 1998. 

Newsome was a transformative figure whose legacy stretched across schools and colleges. Our thoughts remain with Newsome’s friends and family.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community!

Written by

Akanksha Biradar