Jerricho Cotchery, a 12-year NFL veteran in his first season leading Limestone College (D-II – SC) last fall, led the Saints to an 8-3 season last fall, ending the year on a three-game win streak to take momentum into the off season.
The eight wins marked their third straight season with at exactly that many wins, a remarkable feat considering they finished the 2021 season 0-9.
However, that momentum is in serious jeopardy, as recent financial uncertainty for the college is threatening not only the future of Limestone’s football program, but also athletics and in-person classes altogether.
In an announcement from the school today, Limestone leadership shared that the school is considering a number of options to keep their doors open which include going to an online-only model and possibly cutting all activities including athletic altogether if they’re unable to come up with about $6 million.
Despite the school’s tone of hope for a resolution in their statement, sources share with FootballScoop that those inside the football program at Limestone are preparing for the worst case scenario – Limestone College shutting their doors altogether.
The board is set to reconvene in a week to formally discuss the next steps for the 179-year old school.
“Limestone remains committed to our students and we will work directly with current students to help them identify the best path to successfully complete their educational journey,” Chair of the Limestone University Board of Trustees Randall Richardson shared in the release. “We are reaching out separately to students with information regarding options to continue their education.”
The $6 million emergency fund the school is seeking is to, according to them, meant to “stabilize operations and give the university the opportunity to pursue long-term solutions that preserve its on-campus identity.”
Timing of the school’s decision makes for an even more challenging situation. The now expected worst case scenario would send the Limestone roster (which you can take a look at via this link) looking for a new home as over 10,000 student athletes have already flooded the transfer portal during the spring window, and Cotchery and his staff would be on the job hunt as most programs have already ended spring practices with limited-to-zero openings on most staffs.
Here’s a look at Cotchery’s full staff.
HEAD COACHJerricho CotcheryOC / TEsLane KnostDC / SecondaryJR ClarkRBs / STCLeon WashingtonASST OLConnor BaroniunasDLTJ LesniewskiQBsPreson RiceLBsHunter MaynardSTCKellen O’NeillHead Strength CoachTanner HarrisonDFORyan Luna
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
