Stinespring Headed To Maryland
Dukes O-Line Coach Spent Two Seasons At Alma Mater
FRISCO, Texas – One day after the national championship game, James Madison coach Mike Houston has his first task of the offseason.
He needs to find a new offensive line coach for his program.
JMU offensive line coach Bryan Stinespring is leaving for the same job at Maryland to join coach D.J. Durkin’s staff, Stinespring said on Sunday.
Stinespring confirmed FootballScoop’s initial report.
“The decision wasn’t easy,” Stinespring said. “This is the longest I’ve been able to talk about it without crying.
“The two years at JMU were unbelievable.”
Stinespring spent each of the last two seasons at JMU, his alma mater, after a 26-year run working for Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech.
“I’ve worked for two head coaches,” Stinespring said. “One is in the Hall of Fame and the other is on his way.”
Last year, he was the JMU’s tight ends coach and this year was moved to coach the offensive line after former Dukes O-Line coach Jamal Powell departed for Lamar University.
Stinespring coached JMU senior left tackle Aaron Stinnie to All-American honors in 2017 and managed to keep the entire front together despite losing multiple starters to injuries. JMU averaged 194 rushing yards per game this season.
JMU was 28-2 in Stinespring’s two seasons at the school and won the 2016 national championship. The Dukes came up just short of a second-straight title on Saturday, falling 17-13 to North Dakota State in the championship game.
“We had a great year,” Stinespring said. “It could’ve gone either way.
“But we have great kids, a great staff, a great support staff and JMU is just a special place.”
On Sunday, Houston tweeted, “Want to say thank you to @BryanStiney for all of his hard work and contributions to @JMUFootball the past two seasons. Good luck as you transition on to the next phase of your career and life. You will always be family.”
This week, Houston and his staff will travel to Charlotte for the AFCA coaches convention.
