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.
Contents
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
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.
NAIA
The Blue Hose appeared in the NAIA playoffs two times. Their combined record was 2–2.
Bowl games
Presbyterian has participated in one bowl game, with the Blue Hose having a record of 0–1
Future non-conference opponents
Announced schedules as of March 17, 2026.