Georgia Mountain News

Providence Christian Academy issued the following announcement on Feb. 4. 

Providence is pleased to announce that Joe Sturdivant is the new Head Coach for Storm Football. He comes to Providence from Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, where he coached his team to two back-to-back state championship games and signed five players to Power Five schools.

 

"Coach Sturdivant is known as a talented leader who is beloved by his players, and his professional and high school experience will continue to elevate our program," said Athletic Director Brad Williams. "Most importantly, his love for God and his desire to develop young men into Christ-like athletes make him an excellent fit for our athletic program."

Before his most recent head coaching position at Rabun Gap Nacooche School, Coach Sturdivant was head coach of the Saarland Hurricanes in the professional German Football League. His team was runner-up in back-to-back years. Over two years, his team amassed a 19-6-1 record and won the GFL2 South Vice Championship. The Hurricanes led the league in total points per game (41.8), total offense (472.9), rushing per game (321), and pass efficiency (235.3).

Coach Sturdivant has also coached successful high school programs at IMG Academy and Trinity Catholic High School in Florida. Fifty-three of the players he coached went on to play in college, 45 went on to Division 1 scholarships, and six played in the NFL.

As head coach at Trinity High School, he led his team to a 3A district championship and the state quarterfinals.

Coach Sturdivant helped start the football program at IMB Academy, serving as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator alongside head coach and Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke. The team ranked 17th in the country with an overall record of 19-2.

Coach Sturdivant, who has a career coaching record of 72-35, is a native of Gwinnett County, where he attended Parkview High School and won five state championships playing two sports. He never lost a high school football game as a player and was named Parkview Athlete of the Year and Gwinnett County Athlete of the Year.

After high school, he played football at Southern Methodist University on a Division 1 scholarship and finished fifth in the nation in tackles.

"I've been building programs all over the world as a head coach. This time I'm looking forward to building a program for the Lord," Coach Sturdivant said. "I'm excited about being in a covenant relationship with a school whose beliefs align with my family. I believe Providence has all the intangibles to have a great football program. Elite leadership at the top of the school, top-notch facilities, incredible teachers and staff, and best of all, a great group of kids already a part of the program."

In addition to coaching, Sturdivant will also serve as the International Student Program Coordinator at Providence, drawing from his experience in admissions and international student programs to continue attracting overseas students to Providence.

He and his wife Virginia have two young children.

Coach Sturdivant follows Jonathan Beverly in helping to build a great football team at Providence. “My goal throughout my career in education has been to allow God to use me to positively impact students and their families. In my career, I've served as a teacher, coach, and administrator and that goal has always remained the same,” Coach Beverly said. “I now believe that for me to make the biggest impact, I must focus all my professional attention on my role as Director of Diversity and School Life and look forward to continuing to serve our students, staff, and families in this position.”

Original source can be found here.

 Source: Providence Christian Academy