VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State head football coach Kerwin Bell accepted the offensive coordinator position at the University of South Florida, Thursday.
"We certainly wish Kerwin the best as he moves to South Florida for the next phase of his career," VSU Athletic Director Herb Reinhard said. "I am proud of the success Blazer Football has enjoyed under his leadership. We will immediately start a search process to find our next coach."
Bell completed the most outstanding season in the history of the program in 2018, as he guided the Blazers to the first undefeated season at 14-0, and the program's fourth national championship since 2004. The Blazers defeated Ferris State (Mich.) for the national championship last month in McKinney, Texas, in a thrilling 49-47 contest.
He is the third different Blazer head football coach to guide the team to a national title. VSU's three different coaches to win national championships is the most at the NCAA Division II level by one school. Bell also becomes the fifth Blazer head coach to leave VSU to take a head coaching or offensive coordinator position at the Division I level.
Bell guided the Blazers to a 27-7 record during his three years in Titletown. He was 19-5 in Gulf South Conference play, while earning Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors in 2018. Sophomore quarterback Rogan Wells was named runner-up for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy this season, and senior offensive lineman Jeremy King was named runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year Award.
Under Bell's guidance in 2018, VSU broke its own Gulf South Conference record for scoring with 728 points and a 52.0 per game average to lead all of Division II. VSU scored 44 or more points in 13 of 14 games this season. The Blazers led the nation in defensive touchdowns with seven, while ranking second nationally in first down offense (341), fourth nationally in total offense at 523.9 yards per game and fourth in red zone offense at a .901 clip.
