Wednesday, January 31, 2007

DAVID ELSENRATH STEPPING DOWN FROM TUSCULUM POST

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum College assistant head football coach David Elsenrath has resigned to accept a coaching post at Valdosta State University announced Pioneer head coach Frankie DeBusk. Elsenrath joins the Blazer staff for new head coach David Dean.

It is a reunion for Elsenrath and Dean, who served on the VSU staff together before in the early 1980's. Elsenrath coached the offensive line and served as recruiting coordinator at the Valdosta, Ga. school from 1988-92.

Elsenrath ends a successful seven season tenure at Tusculum where he served the last two years as offensive coordinator as well as quarterback and tight end coach.

During his first five years in Greeneville, the Missouri native was responsible for coaching the Pioneer offensive line.

Elsenrath boasts 20 years of collegiate experience at various levels and coaching backgrounds.

Since his arrival at Tusculum in 2000, he mentored six All-South Atlantic Conference honorees, including two-time All-American Alan Dunn and 2003 All-American selection Felix Perez. Dunn was a two-time recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2002 and 2003, which is awarded annually to the top lineman or blocking back in the South Atlantic Conference. In 2003, Dunn was also the recipient of the Jim Langer Award, which is awarded to the NCAA Division II Offensive Lineman of the Year. Dunn was also tabbed to the CoSIDA Academic All-District IV Football Team.

"It is difficult to see Coach Elsenrath go," said DeBusk. "David came to Tusculum when we were establishing the program and he played an important part in the success we have had over the last seven years. We wish David, Beth and the family all the best at Valdosta. They will be missed."

While at Tusculum, four of “Coach E’s” linemen earned berths to postseason All-Star games including Dunn, All-SAC center Doug Holmberg, All-Region linemen Mario Leon and tackle Bull Brown.

From 1997-99, he served as the head football coach at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. While there, his teams earned the most conference victories in a season since the Grizzlies moved to NCAA Division II. He coached two All-Americans as well as three Academic All-Americans®. Fourteen of his players garnered All-Conference honors, while two players were named Adams State Male Academic Student-Athletes of the Year.

Before coaching at Adams State, Elsenrath served three years as tight end coach at Eastern Kentucky University. While at the Richmond, Ky. school, the Colonels captured the 1994 Ohio Valley Conference championship, while advancing to the NCAA I-AA Playoffs for two seasons (1994-95).

From 1992-94, Elsenrath served on the coaching staff at the University of Louisville for then head coach Howard Schnellenberger. The Cardinals captured the 1993 Liberty Bowl trophy.

Prior to his first coaching stint at Valdosta State, Elsenrath served a two-year stint as graduate assistant coach at Auburn University. While at Auburn, the Tigers won the 1987 Southeastern Conference championship and advanced to the Sugar Bowl. That was preceded by Auburn’s 1986 victory in the Florida Citrus Bowl.

As a player, Elsenrath lettered at the University of Missouri-Rolla. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences in 1985. He later earned his Secondary Teacher Certificate at the University of Missouri-Columbia, followed by a Master’s of Education degree from Auburn in 1987.

Elsenrath was active in the American Football Coaches Association of America (AFCA) and has served on several committees. He is married to the former Beth Calhoun of Sylvester, Ga., who served as an elementary school teacher in Greene County. The Elsenraths are the proud parents of twin two-year-old sons, Andrew and Robert, one-year-old daughter Mary Day and are expecting their fourth child in April.

DeBusk indicated that a search for Elsenrath's replacement is underway.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of nine colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and Tennessee.

- TC -