Presbyterian Blue Hose football

The Presbyterian Blue Hose football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Presbyterian College located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS); while Presbyterian is a full member of the Big South Conference, it plays football in the Pioneer Football League. The current head coach is Matt Rahl, who was hired in December 2025 to replace Steve Englehart. Presbyterian's first football team was fielded in 1913. The team plays its home games at the 6,500 seat Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clinton, South Carolina. The Blue Hose began a transition to non-scholarship football in 2017 and left Big South football after the 2019 season, while otherwise remaining a full Big South member. The Blue Hose football program played the 2020–21 season as an independent and joined the Pioneer League in July 2021 upon completion of its transition.

History

The Presbyterian Blue Hose name originates from the blue stockings the players wore in the early 1900s.

Classifications

• 1938–1950: NCAA College Division
• 1951–1956: Unknown
• 1957–1969: NAIA
• 1970–1992: NAIA Division I
• 1993–2010: NCAA Division II
• 2011–present: NCAA Division I FCS

Conference memberships

• 1913–1920: Independent
• 1921–1941: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
• 1942–1945: Independent
• 1946–1964: South Carolina Little Three
• 1964–1972: Carolinas Conference
• 1973–1974: NAIA independent
• 1975–2006: South Atlantic Conference
• 2007: NCAA Division II Independent
• 2008–2019: Big South Conference
• 2020: Division I FCS Independent
• Presbyterian played the 2020–21 season in a scheduling agreement with the Pioneer Football League. It was not eligible for the conference title, but was eligible for individual awards and honors.
• 2021–present: Pioneer Football League

See also List of Presbyterian Blue Hose football seasons

Presbyterian vs. in-state NCAA Division I schools

Notable former players

• Justin Bethel, cornerback and special teams player for the New England Patriots
• Rock Ya-Sin, cornerback for the Detroit Lions
• Bob Waters, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers

Playoff appearances

NCAA Division II

The Blue Hose made one appearances in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.

NAIA

The Blue Hose appeared in the NAIA playoffs two times. Their combined record was 2–2.

Bowl games

Presbyterian has participated in one bowl game, with the Blue Hose having a record of 0–1

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of March 17, 2026.

References

External links