FERRUM, Va. - Ferrum College will hold a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 19, to introduce Phil Elmassian as Defensive Coordinator for the College's football program. The press conference will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the Lynn Classroom inside the Hank Norton Center.

Elmassian first came to Ferrum in 1969 when he played football for Hank Norton when the school was a junior college. After playing two seasons at Ferrum, in which the Panthers posted a 12-4-1 mark, Elmassian transferred to the College of William & Mary, where he played for the Tribe under Lou Holtz in 1971 and under Jim Root in 1972.

Elmassian returns to Ferrum after a 31 years away from the Panther gridiron program. One of the most sought-after defensive coaches in the country returns to his roots to help give back to the school where he started.

"I'm so excited to be back home," said Elmassian. "Ferrum is where it all started for me … playing, academics and professionally. While this is my 40th year coaching, I feel like the opportunities presented to me by Ferrum to work with Coach Harper and the current football players make things feel like it's a new beginning. This is a great opportunity for me to give back to an institution that has given me so much."

Elmassian began his coaching career at William & Mary, serving as quarterbacks and running backs coach from 1974-75. He spent the next three years as an assistant coach at the University of Richmond before joining Norton on the Ferrum coaching staff from 1979-82. He has coached at five Virginia schools, including Ferrum, Virginia Tech, William & Mary, University of Virginia (ACC Champions) and University of Richmond.

"I'm extremely excited first and foremost to have another member of the Black Hats join our staff," said Ferrum Head Football Coach Dave Harper. "He understands the pride that goes with wearing the black and gold at Ferrum. Coach Elmassian's experience and knowledge of the game football will be beneficial to our staff and players. Perhaps more importantly, he has helped over 1000 football players be successful outside the game of football."

Elmassian's career includes stops at East Carolina University, University of Minnesota, Syracuse University, University of Washington (Pac 10 Champions), Boston College, University of Wisconsin (2X Big 10 Champions), Louisiana State University, West Virginia University, Marshall University (MAC East Champions), Perdue University, University of Nebraska, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Illinois State University and most recently the University of Massachusetts.

"Phil Elmassian is an extremely knowledgeable and energetic coach," said Virginia Tech Head Football Coach Frank Beamer. "He not only teaches football, but motivates players. Phil always spoke so well of his time at Ferrum."

Elmassian has coached in many post-season bowl games, including the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Gator Bowl, Sun Bowl, Peach Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Motor City Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Outback Bowl, Capital One Bowl, GMAC Bowl, Independence Bowl, Citrus Bowl, All-American Bowl and Hall of Fame Bowl.

"Phil is a great coach who has way too much energy to not be coaching," said former Ferrum Coach Hank Norton. "He's been around enough to know all the tactical standpoints of defensive football. I know of no one who has had the experience of working with so many great coaches, including Frank Beamer, Lou Holtz, Nick Saban, George Welsh, Barry Alvarez and Joe Tiller, just to name a few."

Wednesday's press conference will be streamed live on Ferrum's athletics web site at www.ferrumpanthers.com. For more information, please contact Sports Info. Director Gary Holden at (540) 365-4306 in the Athletics office or at (540) 420-2022 by cell.