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Chestnut Hill College Hires Sprint Football Head Coach

Chestnut Hill College Hires Sprint Football Head Coach

Mike Pearson headshot

In a series of firsts at the College, Director of Athletics and Recreation Lynn Tubman is pleased to announce the selection of Mike Pearson as the College’s first head coach for sprint football.

“We are thrilled to announce Mike Pearson as our first head sprint football coach at Chestnut Hill College,” stated Tubman. “The search committee and the administration focused on finding a candidate with the necessary experience to build a new program as well as someone who values the mission of the College. Everyone involved in the process was impressed with Mike's commitment to the student-athlete and developing a program that provides a balanced experience that will result in success on and off the field.”

Coach Pearson will serve full time as the head coach for sprint football and as an assistant director of athletics for recruitment. He will be responsible for increasing the exposure of the College and its intercollegiate athletic programs to prospective student-athletes and their families as well as serve as the athletics department's liaison to the College’s Admissions Office to coordinate and support student recruitment.

“Mike's experience coaching at the DII, DIII and sprint football levels will be extremely valuable in recruiting qualified student-athletes. We can't wait to get started and we are confident Mike will bring a high level of professionalism and energy to our campus community,” said Tubman.

A recent assistant with Lock Haven University (2014-present) and the Collegiate Sprint Football League’s (CSFL) program at Mansfield University (2011-2014), Pearson has the experience and demeanor to lead the Griffins into a new arena of collegiate athletics.

Overjoyed at the opportunity, Pearson stated, "It is with great focus and enthusiasm that I am proud to serve the Chestnut Hill College students, staff, and faculty as their first head football coach. I will strive to uphold the honor and mission of the College in my work each day."

Coach Pearson will be formally introduced to the Chestnut Hill College community as the College’s first head sprint football coach at a pep rally scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, at 2:00 p.m. on the College’s campus.

Recruitment efforts for sprint football players will begin immediately. Interested student-athletes are invited to complete and submit a prospective student-athlete questionnaire.

For more information, visit Griffin Athletics and the Sprint Football website.

About Mike Pearson

A coach since 1991, Pearson spent the beginning of his professional career as an assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach at Towanda Area High School (1991-1994) in Towanda, Pennsylvania. From there, Pearson moved closer to home when he accepted a linebacker and wide receiver coaching position at his alma mater, South Williamsport Area High School (1994-1997) in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Collecting league championships with both institutions, Pearson’s next step was a defensive coordinator position with 29 Palms High School (1997-1998) of 29 Palms California, and a head coaching position at Yucca Valley High School (1999-2000) in Yucca Valley, California. Between the two institutions, Pearson’s teams appeared in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs in three of four seasons.

Coach Pearson’s stint on the West Coast came to an end in 2001 with another return to his native Williamsport, where he joined the staff at his collegiate alma mater, Lycoming College (2001-2008) as a wide receivers coach. There he coached ten All-Middle Athletic Conference (MAC) performers, five D3Football.com East Regional All-Americans, three D3Football.com All-Americans including Sean McGinley, and Father Judge High School graduates, Sean Hennigar and Ricky Lannetti.

After collecting a MAC Championship and a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championship Tournament appearance in 2003, Pearson served his second term at South Williamsport Area High School (2008-2011), this time assuming head coaching responsibilities while also serving as the 2009 and 2011 District IV North All-Star Team and president of the District IV Coaches’ Association.

Pearson’s successes at his alma mater ushered in a foray to the CSFL as a defensive back, wide receiver, and tight end coach for Mansfield University’s inaugural sprint football program (2011-2014). He served on staff with the Mounties for three seasons before taking on defensive back duties at Lock Haven University in 2014.

A former wide receiver, cornerback, and kicker at South Williamsport Area High School (1983-1985), Pearson served as a team captain while earning First Team All-West Branch League (1985) and Blue Chip Recruiting All-State honors (1985) with the Mountaineers. Following graduation in 1985, he went onto four successful seasons at Lycoming College (1987-1990) that included a 36 wins, two MAC Championships (1989 & 1990), two NCAA playoff appearances (1989 & 1990), a South Regional Championship (1990), and a Stagg Bowl National Championship (1990). He graduated in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and later collected a master’s degree in sport management from the University of California (PA) in 2007.

With family in the Philadelphia area, Coach Pearson has invested himself in the communities that have invested in him. He will be relocating to the area with his wife and children.

For more information about this press release or other Chestnut Hill College news, contact the News and Community Relations office.