The Presbyterian Blue Hose football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Presbyterian College located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS); while Presbyterian is a full member of the Big South Conference, it plays football in the Pioneer Football League. The current head coach is Matt Rahl, who was hired in December 2025 to replace Steve Englehart. Presbyterian's first football team was fielded in 1913. The team plays its home games at the 6,500 seat Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clinton, South Carolina. The Blue Hose began a transition to non-scholarship football in 2017 and left Big South football after the 2019 season, while otherwise remaining a full Big South member. The Blue Hose football program played the 2020–21 season as an independent and joined the Pioneer League in July 2021 upon completion of its transition.
History The Presbyterian Blue Hose name originates from the blue stockings the players wore in the early 1900s.
Classifications 1938–1950: NCAA College Division 1951–1956: Unknown 1957–1969: NAIA 1970–1992: NAIA Division I 1993–2010: NCAA Division II 2011–present: NCAA Division I FCS
Conference memberships 1913–1920: Independent 1921–1941: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association 1942–1945: Independent 1946–1964: South Carolina Little Three 1964–1972: Carolinas Conference 1973–1974: NAIA independent 1975–2006: South Atlantic Conference 2007: NCAA Division II Independent 2008–2019: Big South Conference 2020: Division I FCS Independent Presbyterian played the 2020–21 season in a scheduling agreement with the Pioneer Football League. It was not eligible for the conference title, but was eligible for individual awards and honors. 2021–present: Pioneer Football League
See also List of Presbyterian Blue Hose football seasons
Presbyterian vs. in-state NCAA Division I schools School Record Percentage Streak First Meeting Last Meeting Charleston Southern 14–10 Lost 2 1993 2016 Clemson 3–33–4 Lost 15 1916 2010 Coastal Carolina 1–9 Lost 9 2007 2016 Furman 13–42–1 Won 2 1913 2025 South Carolina 3–12 Lost 8 1915 1945 South Carolina State 0–2 Lost 2 1989 1990 The Citadel 11–50–1 Lost 12 1915 2010 Wofford 41–40–3 Won 1 1914 2023 Presbyterian 85 – In-State NCAA Division I Schools 198 – Ties 9
Notable former players Justin Bethel, cornerback and special teams player for the New England Patriots Rock Ya-Sin, cornerback for the Detroit Lions Bob Waters, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers
Playoff appearances NCAA Division II The Blue Hose made one appearances in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.
2005 Second Round Central Arkansas L, 28–52
NAIA The Blue Hose appeared in the NAIA playoffs two times. Their combined record was 2–2.
1979 QuarterfinalsSemifinals Saginaw Valley StateCentral State (OK) W, 36–3L, 6–28 1987 First RoundQuarterfinals ConcordPittsburg State W, 57–0L, 21–42
Bowl games Presbyterian has participated in one bowl game, with the Blue Hose having a record of 0–1 1959 Frank Jones Tangerine Bowl Middle Tennessee L 12–21
Future non-conference opponents Announced schedules as of March 17, 2026.
UVA Wise at Murray State at Mercer at Western Carolina
References
External links