News Summary
Newberry College head football coach Todd Knight has signed a contract extension keeping him with the program through the 2031 season. Entering his 17th season, Knight is the school’s winningest coach with 96 victories and has led the Wolves to five NCAA playoff appearances. The extension comes during a challenging time for the college, following the tragic death of incoming freshman Mycheal Edwards-Wallace. The community is mourning but remains focused on honoring Edwards-Wallace’s memory while preparing for the upcoming season.
Newberry, South Carolina – Newberry College has announced that head football coach Todd Knight has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the program through the 2031 season. This extension comes as Coach Knight enters his 17th season at the helm of the Wolves football team and marks another significant step in his already distinguished career.
Knight, who has been a part of the Newberry staff for a total of 23 years, holds the record as the winningest coach in the school’s history, amassing 96 career victories. He is poised to achieve his milestone 100th win in the near future. Having been promoted to head coach in 2009 after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator for six seasons, Knight has led the team to new heights in NCAA Division II football.
Under Knight’s leadership, the Newberry Wolves football team has made five NCAA playoff appearances (2013, 2015, 2016, 2021) and captured three South Atlantic Conference (SAC) titles (2016, 2021, 2022). The success of the program has been marked by significant achievements, including a 9-2 overall record in 2022, a SAC Piedmont Division title, and an overall championship. His 2021 team notably recorded a 10-3 mark, highlighted by a postseason victory against the No. 2-ranked West Florida, which marked the program’s first playoff win since 2006.
In addition to the team’s accomplishments, Knight has been recognized for his coaching prowess, earning the South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year award three times (2016, 2021, 2022). During his tenure, Knight has been instrumental in developing talented players, resulting in 20 All-America selections, 44 all-region honors, and 120 all-conference selections. He has also nurtured two Harlon Hill Trophy finalists and three SAC Player of the Year awardees, further elevating the profile of Newberry College football.
However, the announcement of Knight’s contract extension comes amid tragedy. Mycheal Edwards-Wallace, an 18-year-old incoming freshman football player, was killed in a shooting incident in Kingstree, South Carolina on Sunday. Edwards-Wallace, who was a recent graduate of Kingstree High School, had made significant contributions to his high school football team and had received multiple honors, including being named an all-state, all-area, and all-region selection.
In addition to his high school accolades, Edwards-Wallace participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, a prestigious all-star game for elite players from North and South Carolina, showcasing his potential as a promising athlete. His death, alongside 16-year-old Edwin Cooper, who was also a victim of the shooting, has left the Newberry College community mourning the loss of a bright young talent with a promising future ahead of him.
Newberry College expressed their condolences, stating the impact that Edwards-Wallace would have made on the team. The community has come together to support each other during this difficult time. Coach Knight emphasized the tragedy of losing such a talented young man, highlighting the emotional toll the event has taken on both the team and the school.
The incident is currently under investigation, with law enforcement officers continuing to gather evidence. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the tragic events. The Newberry College football program remains focused on honoring the memory of Edwards-Wallace while preparing for the upcoming season.
As Coach Knight and his team navigate through these challenging times, they are determined to carry on and build a legacy that honors their late teammate while keeping their commitment to excellence in collegiate football.
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Newberry College Extends Knight Building on Legacy
- WIS TV: Incoming Newberry College Football Player Killed in SC Shooting
- CBS Sports: Incoming College Football Player Mycheal Edwards-Wallace Dies at 18
- Wikipedia: Mycheal Edwards-Wallace
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
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