Drew Anthony Takes Helm of Limestone Football Team On Interim Basis

Limestone’s football team will move forward under new leadership beginning with the 2016 season after the College made the decision earlier today to part ways with Bobby James, the first head coach in the program’s history.

According to Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Cerino, Limestone is looking for a different direction in terms of oversight of the football program.

"After thorough consideration of what is in the best interest of the College and our student-athletes, we have made the decision to make a change," Cerino said. “Our plan is to forge ahead in building a football program that our campus, our student body, and our community can be proud to call their own.

“I want to thank Coach James for his service to Limestone and I also wish him and his family well in his next endeavor,” he added.

Defensive Coordinator Drew Anthony, who arrived at Limestone just over three years ago to help build the Saints’ team from scratch, has been named the interim head through spring practice.

Cerino said that a national search for a permanent head coach will begin soon.

Anthony, 33, previously served on the Wingate University football staff for two years, where he was the running backs coach and special teams coordinator. Anthony has been on staff at two of his alma maters, Roxbury Latin High School in Massachusetts and the University of Virginia. He was the Defensive Coordinator at Roxbury and Offensive Quality Control Coach as a graduate assistant at Virginia.

Anthony played wide receiver for the Eastern Kentucky Drillers of the United Indoor Football  League in 2011, and later became that team’s Defensive Coordinator.

“We are going to put our best foot forward and work extremely hard during spring practice,” Anthony said. “I appreciate Mr. Cerino and Limestone President Dr. Walt Griffin giving me this great opportunity to lead our team.”

There is no specific timetable to name a new head coach, Cerino said.

“With the start of the season about six months away, we want to move as quickly as possible,” he explained. “But the most important thing is finding the right fit for Limestone. In the meantime, we are pleased that Drew Anthony will be leading our team on an interim basis. Drew has done a great job directing our defense, and we look forward to his leadership in the weeks ahead.”

The Saints will kick off the 2016 season on Saturday, Sept. 3, although the complete schedule will not be released until later this month. As part of its second year scheduling alliance with the South Atlantic Conference (SAC), Limestone will again face Brevard, Carson-Newman, Catawba, Lenior-Rhyne, Mars Hill, Newberry, Tusculum, and Wingate.

After red-shirting the entire team for the 2013 season, Limestone is a combined 4-17 over the past two years.

A practice session photo of Coach Anthony accompanies this article.