Darlington School is pleased to announce the hire of Bob Stinchcomb as athletic director, effective in 2008-09. He will replace Jerry Sharp, who is retiring at the end of the school year after more than two decades of service to Darlington.
“In his two decades at Darlington, Jerry has built a record of 229-101-9, making him the winningest football coach in school history. He also led the Tigers to their only state championship win in 1998,” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “Jerry has been a tremendous force in athletics in the state of Georgia. He has touched the lives of so many students – not just football players, but athletes and non-athletes alike. He is leaving behind a great legacy of caring and excellence, and we have been very lucky to have him at Darlington. We wish Jerry and his wife, Nancy, all the best.”
With 27 years of experience in the high school and college arenas, Stinchcomb holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Bethel College, a master’s in athletic administration from Florida State, and is currently seeking his doctorate in sports management through the United States Sports Academy.
He has been athletic director and head football coach at Eagle’s Landing High School in McDonough, Ga., since 2001. During his tenure there, the Georgia Athletic Directors Association has twice named Eagle’s Landing the top athletic program in their region. Stinchcomb was twice named Region Athletic Director of the Year, and received top honors in 2003 as State of Georgia AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year. He has raised a great deal of funding for facilities and program improvements at Eagle’s Landing, founding the Golden Eagle Booster Club, which raised $14,000 for athletics in its first year. He also serves on the board of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association.
“We are fortunate to have attracted someone with Bob’s high character and stellar credentials to continue to challenge our coaches and our players to be the best that they can be,” said Assistant Headmaster Mark Carleton, who served as chairman of the Athletic Director Search Committee. “Bob’s reputation in the Southeast is unmatched; he is known throughout the region as a leader with integrity, vision and passion. He understands the proud tradition of Darlington athletics and looks forward to the challenge of expanding on that tradition during his tenure as our athletic director.”
Other faculty members were most impressed with Stinchcomb’s focus on the importance of the partnership between athletics and academics.
“Bob’s thoughts on academics being the most important focus of the school with athletics playing a supporting role were right on target,” said Stefan Eady, I.T. director. “His related policies for athletic participation by those struggling academically are exactly what we need here. He seems to have a clear vision for our program, a reasonable and logical perspective on policy, and a substantial background from which to pull.”
Prior to his work at Eagle’s Landing, Stinchcomb served as athletic director and head football coach at Tift County High School and Appling County High School, both in Georgia. He also held positions as special teams coordinator at the University of South Carolina, recruiting coordinator at Auburn University, and interim head football coach at Samford University.
“I am excited about being able to be a part of Darlington, but I think more importantly, I am excited about Darlington being a part of me,” said Stinchcomb. “The thing that excites me most about this place is the people. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming, and the students have been especially great. They are full of enthusiasm and they possess tremendous leadership qualities. The foundation of Darlington’s athletic program has already been laid in the legacy Jerry Sharp leaves behind. I look forward to continuing to build on that.”
